#DailyDevotion Do You Ever Think No One Knows What You’re Going Through?
February 23rd
Read Job 18:1–21
Job 18:2-4 “How long will you hunt for words? Consider, and then we will speak. (3) Why are we counted as cattle? Why are we stupid in your sight? (4) You who tear yourself in your anger, shall the earth be forsaken for you, or the rock be removed out of its place?
Bildad speaks. He has had enough of Job’s words. Job is sounding a lot like people we may know or maybe you have been one of them who say, “Leave me alone. You don’t know what I’m going through.” Well maybe they or you are right. Maybe no one knows ‘exactly’ what you are going through. But the people who have come to help and comfort you, are they “cattle” or “stupid”?
The people who care about you are not. Do you think you’re the only person who ever suffered? Do you think your suffering is so unique? You may be working with a sick sense of pride. I tell you quit looking for the differences and look for the similarities in your collective experiences and you may find some comfort there.
Now Bildad speaks a number of things about the wicked in their state. Indeed many times the description of what is going on with the wicked may appear to be true. It is also true it appears to us that nothing ever happens to them and Bildad’s words fall flat. But they do eventually happen at their judgment before God. No one gets away with everything forever. But Bildad’s use of these words are misapplied. He wants Job to confess the sins that have brought this misery upon him. Job though is innocent. There is nothing he can point to and go, “Yes I did x and that is why I am experiencing this.”
We may want to remember these words, Heb 4:15-16 “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. (16) Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Jesus is that high priest. When we are afflicted, suffering or in misery, we may draw confidence from Jesus and approach the throne of God’s grace and receive mercy. It is his desire that we do so. Don’t run from God and think he is angry with you because of your affliction. He is waiting to pour out his grace upon you.
Heavenly Father, when those around us try to comfort us, help us to see how they received mercy from you so we may be encouraged to wait patiently and turn to your throne of grace to receive the mercy we need at the right time. In Jesus’ name. Amen.