Finding God's Comfort # 4

Finding God's Comfort # 4

Each of Job's friends, in turn, argued his case, and to each of these Job replied. Three times the discourse went around in this way, excepting that in the last round, Zophar was silent - a confession of defeat. The friends, urged Job to confess and repent, promising that then God would restore him to favor. They believed that it was for sin of his, that the hand of God rested so heavily upon him. Job was bewildered - but indignantly repelled the charge that he was being punished for sin.

But in all the great hurt of Job's loss and sorrow, and in all the intensity of his own personal affliction, he did not breathe a murmur against God. Once, indeed, he did say, "Even today is my complaint rebellious." But he meant that his sufferings were so great that he could scarcely, if at all, repress his complaint. He does not mean that he was rebellious against God, for he was not; but that with his faith in God and his submission to the divine will - he could hardly keep his grief and pain from breaking out in cries and groanings. Though crushed by the terrible blows which had fallen upon him, his heart gave way to no bitter or unbelieving words.

There is here a beautiful lesson for us. Eventually, we must all have troubles which will sorely try our souls to endure. If we are God's children, we should bear even the sorest trials and the greatest sufferings without complaining against God. It may not always be possible to repress the outcries of anguish, though as far as possible we should do this; but even if our complaint is rebellious, too full of pain to be repressed, we should not have in our heart any rebellious feeling toward God.

One writer tells of two birds and how they acted when caught and put into a cage. One, a starling, flew violently against the wire walls of its prison, in unavailing efforts to escape - only battering and bruising its own wings. The other bird, a canary, perched itself on the bar and began to pour forth bursts of sweet song, from its little throat. We know which bird was the wiser and happier.

Some people are like the starling - when they are in any trouble, they chafe and fret and complain and give way to wretchedness! The result is, they only hurt themselves, make themselves more miserable, and do not in any sense lessen their trouble. It is wiser always, as well as more pleasing to God, for us to bear our trials patiently, singing songs of faith and love - rather than crying out in rebellion and discontent. 
Patient Job wanted to get near to God in his trouble; he cried, "Oh that I knew where I might find Him!" He felt sure that that would be the best and safest place for him to be. We ought not to lose this lesson. When trouble in upon us - the true thing for us to do, is to flee to God! Some people, in their affliction and sorrow, flee away from God. They pray less, rather than more. They become afraid of God, at times almost distrustful of Him. They even think God cannot be their friend - or He would not cause them such suffering. Many people in time of sorrow, get away from God. Thus they lose their joy and peace, missing the comfort which they would get if only they kept God's very presence. This is the only safe refuge, when the storms of trouble break upon us.

The reason Job wanted to get face to face with God, was stated by him: "I would set my cause in order before Him." He had confidence that God was his friend and that if he could stand before Him and tell Him all about his life, it would be well.

We may have the same confidence - if we are God's children. This does not mean that we have no sins, and that we can appear in God's presence and explain our acts and show Him that we have done nothing wrong. We are sinners and can come before Him only with penitence and confession. But when we come thus and cast ourselves on His love and mercy, we may order our cause before Him without fear, not pleading innocence - but pleading the grace of Christ.

We know that God is pitiful toward our infirmities. "Like as a father pities his children, So Jehovah pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust." Ah! still sweeter truth than that which is uttered here - is that we have One who can order our cause before God and who will always seek acceptance for us. "If anyone sins," said the beloved disciple, "we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous!" We may go to God in His Name, in the time of trouble - sure that in His hands all our interests will be safe, for He ever lives to make intercession for His children.

Job was sure that if he could only get to God, that he would find Him a Friend. "He would give heed unto me!" was his expression of faith. He had been learning more and more of God's real nature, and had at least some gleams of the true character of the mighty God. Especially does he seem to have gotten some glimpses of the divine Redeemer who was his friend. Thus a little earlier he said: "I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see Him with my own eyes - I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!" (Job 19:25-27).

~J. R. Miller~

(continued with # 5)