Thursday, July 11, 2024

Thursday Devotional - All-Knowing God versus Lamenting Job (7/11/24)

 I had a shooting stomach pain yesterday for about 30 minutes that was debilitating. As my stomach negatively reacted, I was reminded that I could still praise God for who He is while also asking for help and relief. It was hard not to start by calling out for help and stating the same thing over and over. It was helpful to remember His attributes of being All-knowing, able to use everything for His purposes, etc.

 

My temporary suffering was nothing compared to what Job experienced for days and maybe even weeks. Yet, as we learned a few weeks ago, he didn’t sin in what he said. He never cursed God, like Satan desired. He did curse his birth.

Job 3:1-4, 11-13, 20-21, 24-26      After this, Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth. He said:

“May the day of my birth perish,
    and the night that said, ‘A boy is conceived!’
That day—may it turn to darkness;

    may God above not care about it;
    may no light shine on it.

11 “Why did I not perish at birth,
    and die as I came from the womb?
12 Why were there knees to receive me

    and breasts that I might be nursed?
13 For now I would be lying down in peace;

    I would be asleep and at rest

20 “Why is light given to those in misery,
    and life to the bitter of soul,
21 to those who long for death that does not come,

    who search for it more than for hidden treasure,

24 For sighing has become my daily food;
    my groans pour out like water.
25 What I feared has come upon me;

    what I dreaded has happened to me.
26 I have no peace, no quietness;

    I have no rest, but only turmoil.”

It sounds as though there was no relief for Job, even in sleep. His pleas and laments are understandable. He wished for death, but he didn’t take things into his own hands. As he said in chapter 2 verse 10: Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?”


The next time you and I face a painful or difficult situation, let’s remember God is always praiseworthy. He can also handle our questions and respectful laments. In the midst of it all, we can submit to His all-knowing care and timing, as Job did!