Thursday Devotional - All-Knowing God versus Mercy Pleading Job (8/15/24)

With several close Olympic races and competitions, I know there were numerous challenges made to various results. It’s heartbreaking when it seems the judges were unjust in their scoring. Appeals are made when there is a chance that a replay or review might alter the results.

In Job’s situation, he knew an appeal to the all-knowing and all-powerful God didn’t stand a chance. God didn’t make a mistake. Job couldn’t argue he was completely blameless and upright. Job didn’t think he “deserved” the hardship, but he knew his only plea could be for mercy.

Job 9:1-10 and 14-15   Then Job replied:

² “Indeed, I know that this is true.
    But how can mere mortals prove their innocence before God?
³ Though they wished to dispute with him,
    they could not answer him one time out of a thousand.
⁴ His wisdom is profound, his power is vast.
    Who has resisted him and come out unscathed?
⁵ He moves mountains without their knowing it
    and overturns them in his anger.
⁶ He shakes the earth from its place
    and makes its pillars tremble.
⁷ He speaks to the sun and it does not shine;
    he seals off the light of the stars.
⁸ He alone stretches out the heavens
    and treads on the waves of the sea.
⁹ He is the Maker of the Bear and Orion,
    the Pleiades and the constellations of the south.
¹⁰ He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed,
    miracles that cannot be counted.

¹⁴ “How then can I dispute with him?
    How can I find words to argue with him?
¹⁵ Though I were innocent, I could not answer him;
    I could only plead with my Judge for mercy.

Job had a better understanding of God than his friends did. He knew none of them were totally righteous and without blame. He knew God was the only perfect, all-knowing and all-powerful One. God created everything and could decide exactly what happened to His creation.

God doesn’t answer to us, but we answer to Him. None of us deserve anything, but by His grace and mercy He extends blessings! His offer of eternal life through Jesus Christ is totally undeserved and the greatest gracious blessing! Will you join me today in praising God for His mercy? Like Job, I don’t want to plea for His justice, but for His grace and mercy!