Quote for the Day
“Does God pervert justice?”
Today's Prayer
This week pray for those on the road that they can see the grace and forgiveness of God not only in their lives but the lives of others. Ask God to give those at home a special amount of comfort and grace as they miss their family on the road.
Job chapter 8
Job chapter 8 (NIV)Job 8Bildad1 Then Bildad the Shuhite replied:2 “How long will you say such things?Your words are a blustering wind.3 Does God pervert justice?Does the Almighty pervert what is right?4 When your children sinned against him,he gave them over to the penalty of their sin.5 But if you will look to Godand plead with the Almighty,6 if you are pure and upright,even now he will rouse himself on your behalfand restore you to your rightful place.7 Your beginnings will seem humble,so prosperous will your future be.8 “Ask the former generationsand find out what their fathers learned,9 for we were born only yesterday and know nothing,and our days on earth are but a shadow.10 Will they not instruct you and tell you?Will they not bring forth words from their understanding?11 Can papyrus grow tall where there is no marsh?Can reeds thrive without water?12 While still growing and uncut,they wither more quickly than grass.13 Such is the destiny of all who forget God;so perishes the hope of the godless.14 What he trusts in is fragile;what he relies on is a spider’s web.15 He leans on his web, but it gives way;he clings to it, but it does not hold.16 He is like a well-watered plant in the sunshine,spreading its shoots over the garden;17 it entwines its roots around a pile of rocksand looks for a place among the stones.18 But when it is torn from its spot,that place disowns it and says, ‘I never saw you.’19 Surely its life withers away,and from the soil other plants grow.20 “Surely God does not reject a blameless manor strengthen the hands of evildoers.21 He will yet fill your mouth with laughterand your lips with shouts of joy.22 Your enemies will be clothed in shame,and the tents of the wicked will be no more.”
Message
We are back to the advice and comfort of Job’s close friends and advisors. Once again we see the dilemma of expounding on Scripture without knowledge of the situation. While it is certainly correct that God is a God of justice, and that He will not let an evil deed go unpunished, it is also correct that God is a God of mercy and grace, and He is a God who lives in HIS time, not the time of man. It is for God alone to decide when and where punishment or rewards are given. The misapplication of Scripture is very common both with individuals and many organized religions. Circumstances and outcomes seen by man without the benefit or full knowledge of God do NOT make for biblical standards. Yes, God does punish here on this earth. He also holds His grace, mercy, and power in hand to use as He desires. Ours is not to judge the circumstances of individuals, but to hold fast to the truths of the Bible and standards of God. Our responsibility is to share the love and compassion of the risen Savior, not the judgment of the eternal God. Bildad, like Eliphaz, has passed judgment on Job without even the knowledge of or insight to Job’s sin. The only proof of sin Bildad claims is the quality of life Job has at the moment. In fact, he heaps misery on misery to Job in verse 4 when he says, “When your children sinned against him, he gave them over to the penalty of their sin.” Wow. What a comfort… “Your children are dead because of your sin and theirs.” And yet can Bildad (or the others) name this incredible sin that has caused God to lash out at Job? Of course not, as there is no sin that has put Job in this situation.How is your relationship with those around you? Do they trust your judgment and wisdom, or are they afraid to confess and cry with you for fear of condemnation? This week remember what God has forgiven you for, and use that grace to heal others.