Take Your Case To God
Look, I have seen all this with my own eyes and heard it with my own ears, and now I understand.
I know as much as you do. You are no better than I am.
As for me, I would speak directly to the Almighty.
I want to argue my case with God Himself.
As for you, you smear me with lies.
As physicians, you are worthless quacks.
If only you could be silent!
That's the wisest thing you could do. . .
Your platitudes are as valuable as ashes.
Your defense is as fragile as a clay pot. . .
God might kill me, but I have no other hope.
I am going to argue my case with Him.
But this is what will save me -- I am not godless.
If I were, I could not stand before Him. . .
I have prepared my case; I will be proved innocent Job 13:1-18
I know as much as you do. You are no better than I am.
As for me, I would speak directly to the Almighty.
I want to argue my case with God Himself.
As for you, you smear me with lies.
As physicians, you are worthless quacks.
If only you could be silent!
That's the wisest thing you could do. . .
Your platitudes are as valuable as ashes.
Your defense is as fragile as a clay pot. . .
God might kill me, but I have no other hope.
I am going to argue my case with Him.
But this is what will save me -- I am not godless.
If I were, I could not stand before Him. . .
I have prepared my case; I will be proved innocent Job 13:1-18
Job's friend, Zophar, tried to convince him that his suffering was the result of his sins. Based upon that assumption, he offered no words of encouragement to Job. Job was grieved because he vehemently believed in his own godliness and innocence. He described his friends as quack physicians. He felt that the speeches they were giving him were as valuable as ashes. To him, the wisest thing his friends could do would have been to simply keep quiet.
Job felt it was better to take his case directly to God than to listen to his friends. He was confident that his innocence gave him the right to do so.
The truth is, human knowledge is very limited and in times of trials, we cannot depend solely upon others to help us understand and cope with our situation. God is the only repository of all knowledge. Ultimately it is to Him we must turn for answers. That is what Job decided to do. Job wanted to argue his case before God because he felt innocent and not deserving of his sufferings. As presumptuous as it might seem, Job had a point. He had a right to ask God about his situation. It is Scriptural to do so!
God is our Father and He delights in our coming into His presence to reason out our cases with Him. He is not offended when we ask Him the "why" questions. In fact, He gives us an open invitation to do so. Scripture says, " 'Come now, let us settle the matter,' says the LORD. 'Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land.' " (Isaiah 1:18-19, NIV). We are also encouraged in Hebrews to come boldly before the throne of grace so that we may receive mercy and grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:16).
So, take your case to God. Others might not listen to how you feel and might even castigate you. But God knows everything about your situation. He will receive and deal fairly and mercifully with you.
Job felt it was better to take his case directly to God than to listen to his friends. He was confident that his innocence gave him the right to do so.
The truth is, human knowledge is very limited and in times of trials, we cannot depend solely upon others to help us understand and cope with our situation. God is the only repository of all knowledge. Ultimately it is to Him we must turn for answers. That is what Job decided to do. Job wanted to argue his case before God because he felt innocent and not deserving of his sufferings. As presumptuous as it might seem, Job had a point. He had a right to ask God about his situation. It is Scriptural to do so!
God is our Father and He delights in our coming into His presence to reason out our cases with Him. He is not offended when we ask Him the "why" questions. In fact, He gives us an open invitation to do so. Scripture says, " 'Come now, let us settle the matter,' says the LORD. 'Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land.' " (Isaiah 1:18-19, NIV). We are also encouraged in Hebrews to come boldly before the throne of grace so that we may receive mercy and grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:16).
So, take your case to God. Others might not listen to how you feel and might even castigate you. But God knows everything about your situation. He will receive and deal fairly and mercifully with you.
Prayer: Father, I cast myself upon you today. I know you are righteous and just. Please help me to understand my situation in light of your will and purpose for my life. Amen.