A Frank Talk With God
Is not all human life a struggle?
Our lives are like that of a hired hand; like a worker who longs for the shade,
Like a servant waiting to be paid.
I, too, have been assigned months of futility,
Long and weary nights of misery.
Lying in bed, I think, 'When will it be morning?'
But the night drags on and I toss till dawn.
My body is covered with maggots and scabs.
My skin breaks open, oozing with pus. . .
"I would rather be strangled -- rather die than suffer like this.
I hate my life and don't want to go on living.
Oh, leave me alone for my few remaining days.
What are people that you should make so much of us, that you should think of us so often?
For you examine us every morning and test us every moment.
Why won't you leave me alone, at least long enough for me to swallow!
If I have sinned, what have I done to you, O watcher of all humanity?
Why not just forgive my sin and take away my guilt?
For soon, I will lie down in the dust and die.
When you look for me, I will be gone." Job 7:1-21
Our lives are like that of a hired hand; like a worker who longs for the shade,
Like a servant waiting to be paid.
I, too, have been assigned months of futility,
Long and weary nights of misery.
Lying in bed, I think, 'When will it be morning?'
But the night drags on and I toss till dawn.
My body is covered with maggots and scabs.
My skin breaks open, oozing with pus. . .
"I would rather be strangled -- rather die than suffer like this.
I hate my life and don't want to go on living.
Oh, leave me alone for my few remaining days.
What are people that you should make so much of us, that you should think of us so often?
For you examine us every morning and test us every moment.
Why won't you leave me alone, at least long enough for me to swallow!
If I have sinned, what have I done to you, O watcher of all humanity?
Why not just forgive my sin and take away my guilt?
For soon, I will lie down in the dust and die.
When you look for me, I will be gone." Job 7:1-21
Some of our deepest reflections, as humans, happen when we find ourselves in the dredges of life. Those are times when we learn invaluable lessons and make sober reflections over the meaning and value of life.
Job's life had become a drought. The rains of prosperity: good health, servants, houses, fields, cattle, renown, and children had stopped falling. His life had become a parched land. From the depths of his soul came some sober reflections we can identify with.
First: "Is not all human life a struggle? Our lives are like that of a hired hand; like a worker who longs for the shade. . . " How true! Whether rich or poor, young or old, black or white, male or female, educated or not so educated, each human being faces struggles, albeit to differing degrees. The “rich and powerful" have struggles of their own and some end up taking their lives and leaving their fortunes behind. The "poor and destitute" also face their own challenges and some end up giving up on life. The struggles of life are common to humanity. The greatest of God's servants and even Jesus Himself went through untold trials and tribulations. We must always put our struggles in perspective!
Second: In his traumatic trial, Job had a frank talk with God: "Why won't you leave me alone. . . If I have sinned, what have I done to you, O watcher of all humanity?. . . For soon I will lie down in the dust and die. When you look for me, I will be gone.
What Job did not know was that God had his gracious eye on him all through his trials. In fact, but for the grace of God, Satan would have taken his very life. God sustained Job and finally blessed him with twice what he had before.
No matter how severe our trials may be, we must always remember that God has his eye on us and He will stand with us through the journey. It's okay to have a frank talk with God, but always remember that His plans for you are to prosper you and not to harm you.
Job's life had become a drought. The rains of prosperity: good health, servants, houses, fields, cattle, renown, and children had stopped falling. His life had become a parched land. From the depths of his soul came some sober reflections we can identify with.
First: "Is not all human life a struggle? Our lives are like that of a hired hand; like a worker who longs for the shade. . . " How true! Whether rich or poor, young or old, black or white, male or female, educated or not so educated, each human being faces struggles, albeit to differing degrees. The “rich and powerful" have struggles of their own and some end up taking their lives and leaving their fortunes behind. The "poor and destitute" also face their own challenges and some end up giving up on life. The struggles of life are common to humanity. The greatest of God's servants and even Jesus Himself went through untold trials and tribulations. We must always put our struggles in perspective!
Second: In his traumatic trial, Job had a frank talk with God: "Why won't you leave me alone. . . If I have sinned, what have I done to you, O watcher of all humanity?. . . For soon I will lie down in the dust and die. When you look for me, I will be gone.
What Job did not know was that God had his gracious eye on him all through his trials. In fact, but for the grace of God, Satan would have taken his very life. God sustained Job and finally blessed him with twice what he had before.
No matter how severe our trials may be, we must always remember that God has his eye on us and He will stand with us through the journey. It's okay to have a frank talk with God, but always remember that His plans for you are to prosper you and not to harm you.
Prayer: Father, I thank you that even though I have many unanswered questions, I can always count on your grace and faithfulness to sustain me through whatever challenges I may encounter. Amen