Today's Quick Word
Today’s Quick Word
Job 21:34 “So how can you console me with your nonsense? Nothing is left of your answers but falsehood!” Everything that Job’s ‘comforters’ have been saying to him in his distress is […]
Job 21:34 “So how can you console me with your nonsense? Nothing is left of your answers but falsehood!”
Everything that Job’s ‘comforters’ have been saying to him in his distress is based on the common belief that derives only from man’s ‘human wisdom’: ‘Good people prosper and wicked people suffer’. Their ‘comforting’ message to their friend was thus: “Job, you are suffering, therefore you must be wicked. The solution to your problem is simple: ‘Repent of your wickedness and turn from it, and everything will become prosperous for you again.’”
Throughout this chapter, in this round of the debate, righteous Job has been pointing to the countless instances throughout the world where their premise can be clearly seen to be false – instances of wicked, God-denying people enjoying all the plesasures of this life, in contrast with examples of good-living, God-fearing people suffering in very perplexing ways. I think we can all identify firmly with Job’s side of the debate in our own experience – which is why it is so very helpful, and truly comforting, that our gracious God has included this book in his inspired Word!
“Whate’er my God ordains is right, his holy will abideth; I will be still whate’er he does and follow where he guideth; he is my God, though dark my road, he holds me that I shall not fall – and so to him, I leave it all; and so to him, I leave it all. Whate’er my God ordains is right, he never will deceive me; he leads me by the proper path – I know he will not leave me. I take, content, what he has sent, his hand can turn my griefs away, and patiently, I wait his day, and patiently, I wait his day. Whate’er my God ordains is right, though now this cup, in drinking, may bitter seem to my faint heart I take it all, unshrinking; my God is true, each morn anew, sweet comfort yet shall fill my heart and pain and sorrow shall depart, and pain and sorrow shall depart. Whate’er my God ordains is right, here shall my stand be taken: though sorrow, need, or death be mine yet I am not forsaken; my Father’s care is ’round me there, he holds me that I shall not fall, and so to him, I leave it all, and so to him, I leave it all” (Samuel Rodigast).
– Bruce Christian
