Day 1,089: Job 13- Turning To God

“Behold, my eye has seen all this,
    my ear has heard and understood it.

2 What you know, I also know;
    I am not inferior to you.

3 But I would speak to the Almighty,
    and I desire to argue my case with God.

4 As for you, you whitewash with lies;
    worthless physicians are you all.

5 Oh that you would keep silent,
    and it would be your wisdom!

6 Hear now my argument
    and listen to the pleadings of my lips.

7 Will you speak falsely for God
    and speak deceitfully for him?

8 Will you show partiality toward him?
    Will you plead the case for God?
9 Will it be well with you when he searches you out?
    Or can you deceive him, as one deceives a man?

10 He will surely rebuke you
    if in secret you show partiality.

11 Will not his majesty terrify you,
    and the dread of him fall upon you?

12 Your maxims are proverbs of ashes;
    your defenses are defenses of clay.
 
13 “Let me have silence, and I will speak,
    and let come on me what may.

14 Why should I take my flesh in my teeth
    and put my life in my hand?

15 Though he slay me, I will hope in him;
 yet I will argue my ways to his face.

16 This will be my salvation,
    that the godless shall not come before him.

17 Keep listening to my words,
    and let my declaration be in your ears.

18 Behold, I have prepared my case;
    I know that I shall be in the right.

19 Who is there who will contend with me?
    For then I would be silent and die.

20 Only grant me two things,
    then I will not hide myself from your face:
21 withdraw your hand far from me,
    and let not dread of you terrify me.

22 Then call, and I will answer;
    or let me speak, and you reply to me.

23 How many are my iniquities and my sins?
    Make me know my transgression and my sin.

24 Why do you hide your face
    and count me as your enemy?

25 Will you frighten a driven leaf
    and pursue dry chaff?

26 For you write bitter things against me
    and make me inherit the iniquities of my youth.

27 You put my feet in the stocks
    and watch all my paths;
    you set a limit for the soles of my feet.

28 Man wastes away like a rotten thing,
    like a garment that is moth-eaten.
 
Meditation
God’s steadfast love invites believers to confidently approach His throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16). God’s mercy moves us beyond self-righteous self-sufficiency, to face a King who desires to engage us personally.
 
From suffering, Job directs his focus vertically by declaring his desire to dialog with God rather than with his “friends” (1-3). This bold move begins with one more jab at the half-truths supporting the self-righteous system his friends had been using to condemn him. Exposing his friend’s untruths, Job turns their argument around by warning them (4-12)! God will not tolerate half-truths that support moralistic self-sufficiency, and those who hold to this mindset will ultimately answer to God.
 
Job turns to God with fear and trepidation (13-28). As Queen Esther knew the danger of approaching a king with a request (Esther 5), hopeful for the scepter of mercy to be extended, so too, Job was afraid. But faith moves believers beyond fear and struggling situations to sacred engagement with the Lord: “Though He slay me, I will hope in Him; yet I will argue my ways to His face” (15).
 
Job knew his sin (25) yet boldly approached God requesting He remove His hand from him (23). God is big enough to take our toughest questions, biggest accusations, fears, and doubts. We are sure of this because Jesus boldly turned to the Father before He turned to the cross, suffering and dying for us. Confidence comes from Christ’s work. We can turn to God’s throne of grace, engaging Him personally in the midst of our problems and pain.
 
Richly Dwelling
-How does turning to God personally, in the midst of our problems and pain, demonstrate our hope in Him?
 
-Where do you turn other than God, moving your focus from a vertical perspective to horizontal places such as friends, resources, or new situations?
 
-Jesus’ finished work gives confidence to approach God’s throne of grace no matter how deep our problems and pain. Take a moment to name a pain or problem, and then ask God’s Spirit to empower you to turn to Him personally to articulate your heart. God is big enough to take your toughest words! And His love is great enough to strengthen you in your struggle.
 
Key Verse
15 Though he slay me, I will hope in him; yet I will argue my ways to his face.