Give me, O God, the pledge you demand. Who else will put up security for me? Job 17:3 NIV
Job may not have understood why he was suffering or why everything had been taken away from him, but one thing he understood: No man stands justified before God, unless God shows mercy. Even our most righteous acts are nothing more than “filthy rags.” There is nothing we can do to satisfy a holy God, even on our best days we fall short. God’s holiness is perfect and pure and we, by nature, are sinful. Yet Job knew that was not the end of the story! Job was not without hope! Who has enough righteousness to stand in the gap between us and God, to make up for the deficit in each one of us? No one, except God Himself!
Job was surrounded by good friends who were convinced he had committed some horrific sin and offended God. They had falsely concluded that he was being punished by God. Job knew better. He had maintained righteousness the best he could, but he also knew that compared to God’s holiness, he fell short. While he didn’t believe God was punishing him, he realized he needed a savior. Job knew he needed to cry out to God for salvation. Though he lived many years before Jesus entered the world, and may not have understood God’s plan of salvation, he had enough insight to know God would step in and provide a way for our redemption!
Nevertheless, the righteous will hold to their ways, and those with clean hands will grow stronger. Job 17:9 NIV
Job would not give up his righteousness because He believed that God Himself would atone for his sin! He would grow stronger and stronger, if not physically, spiritually. And that’s what he valued the most, to be in good standing with God. Yet he realized his strength came not from his own righteousness but from the God he served so diligently. What incredible insight from this old testament saint, and all in midst of painful suffering!
Satan loves to divert our attention from the things that really matter, and he’s very good at that when we find ourselves in pain. Job did not allow heartache or difficult life circumstances to cloud his spiritual vision. When we are suffering, we must find a way to stay focused on God and keep pursuing Him above all else. Yes, even above healing and blessing. No one loves us as much as God, and in His great plan of salvation, He answered Job’s prayer, not just for Job but for all of us who believe as well!
He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:3-5 NIV
There’s no situation in your life that is bringing you pain and suffering comparable to what Jesus endured so you could have peace, forgiveness and spiritual healing! Whatever else you are encountering today, that’s reason for rejoicing!
Such a good read. This is a wonderful reminder how much God loves us and thanking Jesus who suffered for me.
Thanks for the comment Karen! It’s pretty awesome that God loves us so much that He’s willing to satisfy His own requirements on our behalf, and at such great sacrifice!