“I cry out to You…” Job 30:20a
/Once Job had thoroughly expressed his current status to the visitors and curious bystanders, he turned to God. It was a public supplication, so all could witness his piety and transparency before The Creator:
“I cry out to You, O God, but You do not answer; I stand up, but You merely look at me. You turn on me ruthlessly; with the might of Your hand You attack me. You snatch me up and drive me before the wind; You toss me about in the storm. I know You will bring me down to death, to the place appointed for all the living.”
Job’s faulty assumptions of God became voiced accusations against God:
“You turn on me ruthlessly…” (v. ) Job was accusing God of attacking him without cause.
“You snatch me up and drive me before the wind…” (v. ) Here, Job was accusing God of being a bully, enjoying the brutality of dominance upon a helpless person.
“…You toss me about in the storm.” (v. ) The accusation found in these words is one of God carelessly throwing Job into the chaos of destruction. It is like a person showing cruelty to an animal by throwing it in the dryer.
“I know You will bring me down to death…” (v. ) Job’s accusation in these words paints God
as one who executes the sentence for Heaven’s judgments too hastily.
Believers can benefit from this honest prayer in several ways. First, there are moments in life when one may seek God’s face in prayer and not receive any reply. It doesn’t mean God is not there; nor does it mean God does not care. His ways are far above our ways, and His perfect wisdom is working out His plans for each of
our lives.
Secondly, no matter how hard one tries to get God’s attention, such action is unnecessary and inappropriate. God knows us better than we can ever know ourselves. We are the work of His hands… the product of His will – not happenstance.
Third, approaching God from a faulty assumption only frustrates the one praying. God is a patient and loving Father. He understands our humanity, having experienced humanity in the person of The Son, Who was tempted in every way as we are – yet without sin (read Hebrews 4:15). This side of the cross, we are empowered through The Spirit to wait patiently as The Spirit intercedes for us (read Romans 8:25-27).
I’ll hand it to Job, he was at least painfully honest. His transparency, however, should not be a model for New Testament Christians, for we now have One Who intercedes on our behalf! We are known by our sin, but called by our name… for our Lord knows us intimately and loves us all the more. You can draw to Him – He is always accessible. You can trust Him – His plans for you are always good. You can cry out to Him – for He understands your humanity completely.
Have a blessed day…