Job 13:3 “… I desire to speak to the Almighty and to argue my case with God.”
My first reaction to this verse is shock at Job’s nerve. My internal dialogue is, “Seriously, dude? You want to go toe-to-toe with God? That won’t end well.” And then I think back to the spring of 2017, to stomping angrily around the yard, yelling my frustration at God, exhausting my anger, and realizing that even when He says no, even when I am angry and afraid, even when I don’t understand, I trust Him because He loves me.
Job 13:15 “Though He slay me, yet I will hope in Him.”
What if I were not so open about my emotions? What if I had stuffed down my anger, frustration, and ultimately, fear? It would not have led me closer to God. It would have put a barrier between us. Only when I allowed myself to give vent to that anger was I able to move past it to the fear that lay just under the surface. Only then was I able to say that even though I felt like everything was falling down around me, I knew God loved me, loved those I love, and that He had some higher purpose that I could not understand. Being honest with God about the anger allowed me to move through to trust.
Job 13:20 “Only grant me these two things, God, and then I will not hide from You….”
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder that we can be real and honest with You, that You are big enough to handle these feelings, and that only by going through those feelings can we emerge into foundationally-solid trust in You. Draw us closer. Amen.
Job 13:22 “Then summon me and I will answer, or let me speak, and You reply to me.”
Have a blessed day.