Job 7:6 “My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle, and they come to an end without hope.”
The last line of commentary on this chapter I find profound: “We like to talk about ‘having the faith to be healed,’ but what about having the faith to be sick?” Up until now, Job’s faith has been tied to good things. He prays, even for his children and their potential transgressions, he is upright and blameless; therefore, his life is good. Now, however, through no actions of his own, life is no longer good. Can he still trust God, even when he doesn’t understand why he is suffering so?
Job 7:11 “Therefore I will not keep silent; I will speak out in anguish of my spirit, I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.”
So many things come to mind here. One is a teenager when he feels he has been treated unfairly. Anger and frustration can easily dip into disrespect. Steven Curtis Chapman’s song “God is God” also comes to mind. We will never, on this side of the veil, fully understand God’s ways. And Psalm 71:14 comes to mind: “As for me, I will always have hope….” When we are troubled, when healing doesn’t come, when the blows just keep reigning down, we have to decide if we can trust God to be good and loving even when life is painful.
Job 7:16 “I despise my life; I would not live forever. Let me alone; my days have no meaning.”
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. You don’t force us to love You, to trust You, but You invite us to do so, especially when times are hard. I don’t enjoy the painful times in this life, Lord, but I am so thankful that You draw me closer to You in the dark times than would ever be possible in the light. Help me to live, fully and daily, Psalm 71:14: “As for me, I will always have hope….” Draw me closer to You. Amen.
Job 7:17-18 “What is mankind that you make so much of them, that you give them so much attention, that you examine them every morning and test them every moment?”
Have a blessed day.