The Pain of Being Blamed When Innocent
Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied to Job:
"Will you be patient and let me say a word?
For who could keep from speaking out?
"In the past you have encouraged many people;
You have strengthened those who were weak.
Your words have supported those who were failing;
You encouraged those with shaky knees.
But now when trouble strikes, you lose heart.
You are terrified when it touches you.
Doesn't your reverence for God give you confidence?
Doesn't your life of integrity give you hope?
Stop and think! Do the innocent die?
When have the upright been destroyed?
My experience shows that those who plant trouble and cultivate evil will harvest the same.
A breath from God destroys them.
They vanish in a blast of His anger. Job 4:1-9
"Will you be patient and let me say a word?
For who could keep from speaking out?
"In the past you have encouraged many people;
You have strengthened those who were weak.
Your words have supported those who were failing;
You encouraged those with shaky knees.
But now when trouble strikes, you lose heart.
You are terrified when it touches you.
Doesn't your reverence for God give you confidence?
Doesn't your life of integrity give you hope?
Stop and think! Do the innocent die?
When have the upright been destroyed?
My experience shows that those who plant trouble and cultivate evil will harvest the same.
A breath from God destroys them.
They vanish in a blast of His anger. Job 4:1-9
How do we explain it when bad things happen to good people?
How do you explain it when the helper of others becomes helpless?
How do you explain it when the defender becomes defenseless?
Job's friends recounted Job's kindness to others: "In the past, you have encouraged many people; You have strengthened those who were weak. . . You encouraged those with shaky knees. But now when trouble strikes, you lose heart. You are terrified when it touches you. Doesn't your reverence for God give you confidence?. . .
Stop and think! Do the innocent die?. . .
A breath from God destroys them.”
Job's friend admitted that Job was a good man who had helped many others in the past, but he wasn't so sure if Job had not secretly sinned and incurred the wrath of God! In his view, the innocent could not suffer and die. The upright could not be destroyed! So, could it be that Job was paying a price for his sins? Sins that were not known to others?
One of the most painful experiences in life is when people castigate you when you fall on hard times because they believe you might have done something wrong. The truth is that Job was suffering not because of any sin but simply because God was putting him through a test, though upright.
Sometimes, people will deride you and impugn your character because they believe you have sinned, though you are innocent.
When you encounter those situations, do not allow your heart to be bitter. Continue to present your case to God who is the defender of the defenseless. Just like He came through for Job, God will vindicate and restore you after he has allowed you to be tested. It is painful to be blamed when you are innocent, but hold on, God has His eyes on you.
How do you explain it when the helper of others becomes helpless?
How do you explain it when the defender becomes defenseless?
Job's friends recounted Job's kindness to others: "In the past, you have encouraged many people; You have strengthened those who were weak. . . You encouraged those with shaky knees. But now when trouble strikes, you lose heart. You are terrified when it touches you. Doesn't your reverence for God give you confidence?. . .
Stop and think! Do the innocent die?. . .
A breath from God destroys them.”
Job's friend admitted that Job was a good man who had helped many others in the past, but he wasn't so sure if Job had not secretly sinned and incurred the wrath of God! In his view, the innocent could not suffer and die. The upright could not be destroyed! So, could it be that Job was paying a price for his sins? Sins that were not known to others?
One of the most painful experiences in life is when people castigate you when you fall on hard times because they believe you might have done something wrong. The truth is that Job was suffering not because of any sin but simply because God was putting him through a test, though upright.
Sometimes, people will deride you and impugn your character because they believe you have sinned, though you are innocent.
When you encounter those situations, do not allow your heart to be bitter. Continue to present your case to God who is the defender of the defenseless. Just like He came through for Job, God will vindicate and restore you after he has allowed you to be tested. It is painful to be blamed when you are innocent, but hold on, God has His eyes on you.
Prayer: Father, please grant me the strength to be steadfast in my faith even when my circumstances cause people to impugn my integrity. Help me to trust you and not be bitter.