“…You examine him every morning…” Job 7:18a

Job’s suffering led to him asking God the purpose of his existence in the divine scheme of things and the reason for his suffering:

“What is man that You make so much of him, that You give him so much attention, that You examine him every morning and test him every moment?”

Though Job considered his significance as a child of God, he needed to understand why God proves those who walk by faith. Hanani, a seer during the reign of Asa, the King of Judah, confronted Asa with the news of God’s dissatisfaction over his lack of faith, explaining,

“For the eyes of The Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.” (2 Chronicles 16:9)

Both Job and Hanani knew the purposes of God would not be thwarted, for God tests the hearts of those fully committed to Him – just as He had tested Abraham through the sacrifice of his son, Isaac (read Genesis 22:1-19). David, when pondering the vastness of creation, posed a similar question to Job’s:

“When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place, what is man that You are mindful of him, the son of man that You care for him?” (Psalm 8:3-4)

Unlike David’s perspective of God’s care, Job could only perceive God’s scrutiny. It’s no wonder, Job thought he had some sort of heavenly target on his back, stating:

“Will You never look away from me, or let me alone even for an instant? If I have sinned, what have I done to You, O Watcher of men? Why have You made me Your target? Have I become a burden to You?” (vv. 19 – 20)

When life doesn’t make sense, the questions just keep coming in efforts to seek parsimony with one’s circumstances. God looks at our lives from a higher vantage point – He sees the end of the story. All Job could see was unending misery… and he wanted an end to it. He was, at the very least, open to the idea of being informed of any sin he had committed.

Those in suffering may also make exaggerated assertions or questions. Job asked God if he had become a burden to the King of Heaven. Such a query is surely lacking the rational understanding of God’s infinite power and resources. That’s what I love about the scriptures though – God left it all in… both the good and the bad, the strong and the weak, the rational and the irrational, acts of both good and evil. God preserved His Word for us to see both the human and divine record through biblical time.

The exasperated Job continued with his questions to God:

“Why do You not pardon my offenses and forgive my sins? For I will soon lie down in the dust; You will search for me, but I will be no more.” (v.21)

Job didn’t really believe his own words, did he? This is the same man who had often prayed for his children, in case they had sinned without knowing (read 1:4-5). If Job was guilty of anything, it was self-pity. Yet, knowing the modern conveniences of our day, who could blame him?

Bad things do happen to good people, and there are many good people who endure lengthy periods of suffering in life. Suffering is common to all – some are blessed to only experience it briefly; others are destined to endure more. We are unable to see any drama in the spiritual realm which, as in the life of Job, developed into a proof-test determining the authenticity of Job’s faith and trust in God. Will any of us pass the test, if confronted with the same circumstances?

When I was in the sixth grade, I loved to read The Hardy Boys books. In the stories, some mystery occurred which had to be solved. I admit, a couple of times, after the mystery was revealed, I went to the end of the story to see how the mystery was solved. We can trust God because He sees the end of the story in our lives (including Heaven!) and has promised to make all things work together for our good (read Romans 8:28).

Have a blessed day…