“…I will be no more.” Job 7:8b

Having moved his argument to the courtroom of human justice, Job acts as his own lawyer presenting the basis for his defense: all people have the common life experiences of work, a portion of misery, and the realization that life is short (vv. 1 – 10). Job observed how all men have “hard service on earth” (v.1a), and argued how work makes hirelings and slaves of all (vv. 1b – 2). Having lost everything he ever worked for and more (read chapter 1), Job reasoned the days of work became months of futility and nights of misery (v.3a),.

Not only did his best days of positive production turn to dust, his current life status only proved to be days of misery (vv. 3b – 4). Job detailed the cause for his suffering with these words:

“My body is clothed with worms and scabs; my skin is broken and festering.” (v.5)

No wonder his friends were in such utter disbelief over Job’s appearance (see 1:12). The sight of Job was actually repulsive to the eyes… too grotesque for words. Soldiers who have been injured in war and those who have been badly burned understand all too well how slow time seems to grind during their days of suffering. Job’s question is one many who are injured may ask: “How long before I get up?” (v.4)

While suffering seems to occur at a snail’s pace, life itself is short, and Job described how he grappled with the idea of life’s brevity:

“My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle, and they come to an end without hope. Remember, O God, that my life is but a breath; my eyes will never see happiness again. The eye that now sees me will see me no longer; you will look for me, but I will be no more. As a cloud vanishes and is gone, so he who goes down to the grave does not return. He will never come to his house again; his place will know him no more.” (vv. 6 – 10)

In the above statement, Job reveals his humanity and how the tragedy had left an emotional scar upon his heart. Though he could not tell the future, he declared his days would come to an end without hope and his eyes would never see happiness again (v.7b). Job was trying to make sense of a life’s significance, especially after coming to grips with the finality of death (where this life is concerned) and never seeing his children again on earth.

We all deal with loss and hurt… some more than others. Sometimes it is through a tragedy, others through a sickness or suffering. When we try to make sense of it, nothing makes sense. Even our extended family (grand-nieces and nephews, great grandchildren, etc.) will forget what impact we may have had on their parents, and we will be forgotten soon enough in the course of time.

In our search for significance in this life, the ONLY thing that makes sense is finding significance in The One Who made us. Our hope comes from knowing that though we may never come to our own house again, there is another house being prepared for us (read John 14:2). Our lives are being woven into the fabric of eternity by The Master Weaver. Each of us become a thread wound by another thread – the thread of redemption… crimson red. Those who are securely wrapped by God’s redemption will see happiness again, for there will be no sorrow or sickness in Heaven. Our days CAN end with hope – the hope of a grand reunion with the saints, including all our family members who died in Christ. That alone is reason enough to plead with them to consider the claims of Christ.

Are you hurting as Job did? Have you come to a point of hopelessness? Don’t let the impact of your suffering turn your heart cold to the strength of hope in Christ… an eternal hope.

Have a blessed day…