Bitter Words From an Ignorant Man
"I am disgusted with my life. Let me complain freely. My bitter soul must complain.
I will say to God, 'Don't simply condemn me -- tell me the charges you are bringing against me.
What do you gain by oppressing me?
Why do you reject me, the work of your own hands, while smiling on the schemes of the wicked?. . .
Although you know I am not guilty, no one can rescue me from your hands.
You formed me with your hands; you made me, yet now you completely destroy me.
Remember that you made me from dust -- will you turn me to dust so soon?
You guided my conception and formed me in the womb. . .
You gave me life and showed me your unfailing love.
My life was preserved by your care.
"Yet your real motive -- your true intent -- was to watch me, and if I sinned, you would not forgive my guilt. . .
Again and again you witness against me. You pour out your growing anger on me and bring fresh armies against me.
Why, then, did you deliver me from my mother's womb?
Why didn't you let me die at birth? Job 10:1-18
I will say to God, 'Don't simply condemn me -- tell me the charges you are bringing against me.
What do you gain by oppressing me?
Why do you reject me, the work of your own hands, while smiling on the schemes of the wicked?. . .
Although you know I am not guilty, no one can rescue me from your hands.
You formed me with your hands; you made me, yet now you completely destroy me.
Remember that you made me from dust -- will you turn me to dust so soon?
You guided my conception and formed me in the womb. . .
You gave me life and showed me your unfailing love.
My life was preserved by your care.
"Yet your real motive -- your true intent -- was to watch me, and if I sinned, you would not forgive my guilt. . .
Again and again you witness against me. You pour out your growing anger on me and bring fresh armies against me.
Why, then, did you deliver me from my mother's womb?
Why didn't you let me die at birth? Job 10:1-18
No matter how pious we are and no matter how much we trust in God, trials have a way of tempting us to question the purity of God's motives. This is especially so when our bodies are afflicted with sickness in addition to other things not going well in our lives. Satan knew that he could possibly tempt Job to "curse God to His face" when his very life was threatened.
Job never cursed God but his mouth was filled with complaints against God. His humanity showed. Job spoke bitterly against God because he was ignorant of the truth that God was actually on his side and not against him.
In his ignorance and bitterness, he railed painfully against God: "My bitter soul must complain"; "tell me what charges you are bringing against me."; "Why do you reject me?"; "Again and again, you witness against me."; "Why didn't you let me die at birth?"
Job questioned the very motives of God and concluded that God was against him! But the truth is: Those were ignorant surmisings from an ignorant man. God was not against Job. God did not want Job to die! God was not interested in harming Job. God was actually preserving Job's life from the adversary but Job did not know. He was blinded by his pain and loss!
You and I have the privilege of knowing how Job's story ended. God blessed and restored his family, wealth, and honor. Let this be an encouragement to you when you find yourself in deep trials. God has the power to restore your fortunes and your health. God is a good God. Trust Him.
Job never cursed God but his mouth was filled with complaints against God. His humanity showed. Job spoke bitterly against God because he was ignorant of the truth that God was actually on his side and not against him.
In his ignorance and bitterness, he railed painfully against God: "My bitter soul must complain"; "tell me what charges you are bringing against me."; "Why do you reject me?"; "Again and again, you witness against me."; "Why didn't you let me die at birth?"
Job questioned the very motives of God and concluded that God was against him! But the truth is: Those were ignorant surmisings from an ignorant man. God was not against Job. God did not want Job to die! God was not interested in harming Job. God was actually preserving Job's life from the adversary but Job did not know. He was blinded by his pain and loss!
You and I have the privilege of knowing how Job's story ended. God blessed and restored his family, wealth, and honor. Let this be an encouragement to you when you find yourself in deep trials. God has the power to restore your fortunes and your health. God is a good God. Trust Him.
Prayer: Lord, I cannot understand the reasons behind my trials and challenges but please help me to remember that you are good, gracious, and kind and that your plans for me are for my good and never for evil. Amen