God Is Your Only True Defense
Even now my witness is in heaven.
My advocate is there on high.
My friends scorn me, but I pour out my tears to God.
I need someone to mediate between God and me,
as a person mediates between friends. . . .
My spirit is crushed, and my life is nearly snuffed out.
The grave is ready to receive me.
I am surrounded by mockers.
I watch how bitterly they taunt me.
You must defend my innocence, O God,
since no one else will stand up for me.
You have closed their minds to understanding,
But do not let them triumph.
They betray their friends for their own advantage,
So let their children faint with hunger.
Job 16:19-17:5
My advocate is there on high.
My friends scorn me, but I pour out my tears to God.
I need someone to mediate between God and me,
as a person mediates between friends. . . .
My spirit is crushed, and my life is nearly snuffed out.
The grave is ready to receive me.
I am surrounded by mockers.
I watch how bitterly they taunt me.
You must defend my innocence, O God,
since no one else will stand up for me.
You have closed their minds to understanding,
But do not let them triumph.
They betray their friends for their own advantage,
So let their children faint with hunger.
Job 16:19-17:5
Job was in great despair. The Bible takes us deep into his heart to unearth his fears and feelings.
First, we see that Job was very discouraged and was almost giving up on life. His words are quite touching: "My spirit is crushed, and my life is nearly snuffed out." Job saw death as imminent.
Second, we see that Job had developed some anger against his mockers and taunters who were wrongly accusing him of sin and wickedness. He was angry with them and wished ill upon their families: "let their children faint with hunger." It appears righteous Job had finally had enough and was fighting back with words!
There is an important lesson here: Ultimately, human judgment is flawed so humans can never give you the full comfort or understanding you crave in your time of need. Scripture makes it clear that it is futile to put our trust in humans: "This is what the LORD says: 'Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, who rely on human strength and turn their hearts away from the LORD.'" (Jeremiah 17:5). It is a tremendous blessing to have people we can turn to and count on in our time of need, but ultimately, even our dearest friends can turn their backs on us.
So Job came to the wise realization: "You must defend my innocence, O God, since no one else will stand up for me." In the final analysis, God is your truest and most dependable companion so turn to Him at all times and He will comfort and strengthen you. Talk to God.
First, we see that Job was very discouraged and was almost giving up on life. His words are quite touching: "My spirit is crushed, and my life is nearly snuffed out." Job saw death as imminent.
Second, we see that Job had developed some anger against his mockers and taunters who were wrongly accusing him of sin and wickedness. He was angry with them and wished ill upon their families: "let their children faint with hunger." It appears righteous Job had finally had enough and was fighting back with words!
There is an important lesson here: Ultimately, human judgment is flawed so humans can never give you the full comfort or understanding you crave in your time of need. Scripture makes it clear that it is futile to put our trust in humans: "This is what the LORD says: 'Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, who rely on human strength and turn their hearts away from the LORD.'" (Jeremiah 17:5). It is a tremendous blessing to have people we can turn to and count on in our time of need, but ultimately, even our dearest friends can turn their backs on us.
So Job came to the wise realization: "You must defend my innocence, O God, since no one else will stand up for me." In the final analysis, God is your truest and most dependable companion so turn to Him at all times and He will comfort and strengthen you. Talk to God.
Prayer: Father, I thank you for your boundless love and grace toward me. I thank you for your faithfulness even when all turn away from me. Please help me to depend on you at all times. Amen.