Read
Job Continues
Why Is Life So Hard?
1Why is life so hard?
Why do we suffer?
2We are slaves in search of shade;
we are laborers longing
for our wages.
3God has made my days drag on
and my nights miserable.
4I pray for night to end,
but it stretches out
while I toss and turn.
5My parched skin is covered
with worms, dirt, and sores,
6and my days are running out
quicker than the thread
of a fast-moving needle.
Don't Forget!
7I beg you, God, don't forget!
My life is just a breath,
and trouble lies ahead.
8I will vanish from sight,
and no one, including you,
will ever see me again.
9 I will disappear in the grave
or vanish from sight
like a passing cloud.
10Never will I return home;
soon I will be forgotten.
11And so, I cry out to you
in agony and distress.
12Am I the sea or a sea monster?
Is that why you imprison me?
13I go to bed, hoping for rest,
14but you torture me
with terrible dreams.
* 15I'd rather choke to death
than live in this body.
16Leave me alone and let me die;
my life has no meaning.
17 What makes you so concerned
about us humans?
18Why do you test us
from sunrise to sunset?
19Won't you look away
just long enough
for me to swallow?
20Why do you watch us so closely?
What's it to you, if I sin?
Why am I your target
and such a heavy burden?
21Why do you refuse to forgive?
Soon you won't find me,
because I'll be dead.
Reflect
Job’s life is hopeless. He has lost all his possessions. His open sores are both physically painful and socially isolating. His friends are not helpful. All he has to hold on to is his belief in God and in himself and even that is being undermined.
So it’s not surprising that he longs for the release of death. And yet we begin to see a glimmer of hope that God does care for him—hope that is not yet a certainty.
Previously, in his physical and material contentment, he had no reason to ask questions. He knew God was his creator and provider. He was healthy and wealthy. He accepted the common understanding that justice meant God punished the sinner and rewarded the righteous. That was sufficient. Now, however, that definition of justice doesn’t work because he knows he has not sinned against God. His heart is pure and his integrity intact. And yet he suffers. Nothing makes sense any more. He’s confused and time is running out. He’s convinced he’s soon to die.
Out of confusion and pain come important questions. And questions are a sign of hope—hope that there are answers and hope that God cares enough to answer.
- Who are you God?
- Who are we that you give us so much attention?
- Why do you care about us?
- How do I make sense out of my life?
Great questions to ask at any time in our lives. Unfortunately, like Job, we too often wait until we’re in a crisis of confusion.
Amazingly, God is not offended by our emotionally charged questions, but rather invites them because in fact it’s those very questions that will draw us into a closer relationship with God, which is what we were created for.
Respond
God of all wisdom and patience, thank you for creating me and inviting me into an ever deepening relationship with you. Thank you that because of Jesus, my hope that you care has been fulfilled, transformed from hope to certainty. I can know. I do know. Amen.
Lynn Smith
Lynn served Tyndale University College and Seminary in Toronto as Dean of Students and Vice President of Student Development where leadership development became the focus of her involvement with students. After retiring, she co-founded NextLEVEL Leadership, an International organization focused on encouraging Christian women to develop in their leadership roles in the marketplace, profession or ministry. Her passion for seeing others grow in their leadership confidence has inspired her to teach and mentor wherever God calls. Publications: Gender or Giftedness: a Challenge to rethink the basis for leadership within the Faith Community; Mentoring: Leaving a Legacy; Fred's Not Here - Living with Alzheimer Disease takes Courage