Day 1,149: Job 23- Longing For Vindication

Then Job answered and said:
2     “Today also my complaint is bitter;
my hand is heavy on account of my groaning.
 
3     Oh, that I knew where I might find him,
that I might come even to his seat!
 
4     I would lay my case before him
and fill my mouth with arguments.
 
5     I would know what he would answer me
and understand what he would say to me.
 
6     Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power?
No; he would pay attention to me.
 
7     There an upright man could argue with him,
and I would be acquitted forever by my judge.
8     “Behold, I go forward, but he is not there,
and backward, but I do not perceive him;
9     on the left hand when he is working, I do not behold him;
he turns to the right hand, but I do not see him.
 
10    But he knows the way that I take;
when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.
 
11    My foot has held fast to his steps;
I have kept his way and have not turned aside.
 
12    I have not departed from the commandment of his lips;
I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food.
 
13    But he is unchangeable, and who can turn him back?
What he desires, that he does.
 
14    For he will complete what he appoints for me,
and many such things are in his mind.
 
15    Therefore I am terrified at his presence;
when I consider, I am in dread of him.
 
16    God has made my heart faint;
the Almighty has terrified me;
17    yet I am not silenced because of the darkness,
nor because thick darkness covers my face.
 
Meditation
God uses trials to reveal the treasure of faith in Jesus. Peter challenges Christians to rejoice in trials, “so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:6-7).
 
The trials of Job have been amplified by the assault of his “friends,” motivating Job’s passion to prove his suffering is not punitive. Job is focused on being vindicated before God.
 
God promises that if we diligently seek the Lord then we will find Him (Proverbs 8:17), yet Job says he has searched forward, backward, left, and right (8-9, the words are literally “north, south, east, and west”) and yet God seems nowhere to be found. Job’s earnest search is motivated by his desire to be vindicated, convinced over and against the accusations of his “friends” that he would be acquitted if he stood before God’s judgement seat. More than having his worldly losses restored, Job desires to find God and celebrate his vindication.
 
Fruit of Job’s life proves his saving faith. Job walks in God’s ways (10-11), treasures God’s word in His heart (12), and trusts God’s will (14). While terrified at the idea of coming before God’s face (16-17), Job longs to show how his trials have refined his faith.
 
The fruit of faith refined by suffering is a focus on seeking God.  In Christ, there is no condemnation from Him and Christians are free to seek Him!
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you about Job’s focus to prove his faith before the Lord through being vindicated?
 
-Is it difficult for you to identify with Job? Why or why not?
 
-How does the work of Christ give you confidence, knowing you have no condemnation before God when in Him, to steward your suffering by more steadfastly seeking God?
 
Key Verse
7     There an upright man could argue with him, and I would be acquitted forever by my judge.