Job answered, his complaint is bitter, his hand heavy. Job longs to come before God and lay his case before him with arguments. He longs for God to answer and understand what he says. He trust that God would pay attention. He trusts that an upright man could argue with God and Job would be acquitted forever by God his judge. But Job goes forward and doesn’t believe he’s there. He goes backward and doesn’t perceive Him. God is working, but he doesn’t see Him. He trusts that God knows the way he takes, and when God has tried him he will come out like gold, implying he is being refined. Job has held fast to God’s steps, and hasn’t turned aside. Job didn’t depart from God’s commandment, he treasured the words of His mouth more than my portion of food. God is unchangeable, who can turn him back? What he desires – that is what He does. He will complete what he appoints for me, and many such things are in His mind. Therefore, I am terrified at his presence, I’m in dread of him. God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified Job; yet Job is not silenced because of the darkness.
When we face trials is it our desire to lay our case before God? You can see Job’s continued hope in a Redeemer in his hope for “an upright man” to argue with God for Job’s acquittal. Before God’s throne our surety lies, not us in our righteousness, but in the righteous one of God’s Son. Jesus Christ argues the case for His people. God give us a desire for Your word like Job’s. Give us a hope in your unchangeableness like Job’s. You do what You desire Father, in our trials and sin we are terrified. When we see our weakness and how truly fragile we are, and what darkness we face, we are fearful of You. Father, show your mercy. Show your power in our weakness. Strengthen our faith in the face of unhelpful friends. Give us hope in the face of your coming judgment in the righteousness of Christ.