Job pleads to God

The Book of Job Chapter 10

Job tells his friends how he would speak to God. He says that he will ask to complain freely and speak of the bitterness in his own soul. He will ask God what he hopes to gain by suppressing him and why reject the work of his own hands while sending joy and prosperity to the wicked? He would ask if God sees through eyes that are human or does he see things as people do? And he would tell God that he knows he is not guilty, yet nobody could rescue him from the power of God.

In his plea to God, Job asks God to remember that he is made of dust and God could easily turn him back to dust. God gave him life and showed unfailing love and his life was preserved by God's care. So then, Job asks God to explain his motive, he knows his intent,- was it to watch over Job and if he sinned, then not forgive him? Job tells he is innocent and full of shame and misery and cannot understand why God treats him this way and pours out an ever-increasing volume of anger against him.

Why, Job asks, did you have me be born? Why didn't you let me die at birth? He says he has little time left and wants to be alone so that he can have a moment of comfort before he dies.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: Job is now wallowing in self-pity. At this point he is only a step away from self-righteousness where he keeps track of life's injustices and wants to blame God. He also jumps to the false conclusion that God was out to get him. His view of death was common in the Old Testament times. They viewed it as a place where the dead went to a joyless, dark place with no escape and no punishment or reward.

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? When we feel like blaming God for our troubles, we must remember that sometimes God sends us trials as a means of development and refinement. It is at these times, we should ask how we can learn and grow from the experience. Job jumped to the wrong conclusion that God was out to get him. If you are doubting God, remember that you don't have all the facts. God wants the very best for you. Many people endure great pain and ultimately find some greater good came of it. Don't always assume the worst.

These words seem easy to type, in reality, most of us are pretty quick to doubt God when we are in pain or dire circumstances. I am as guilty of moments of doubt too. But prayer can bring me and you back to centering on what really matters: God's grace can save us and give us mercy. Pray to the God who loves you.

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH:
Update on my niece Suzanne, she is healing but her leg was crushed and will take many months of doctoring. She is in a nursing home for rehab care. Pray for her healing. Also Gabe, Wanda, Pray for Janice Long’s parents, especially her mother who faces another round of chemotherapy and her father with Alzheimer’s and now her mother in law also with Alzheimer’s. Their family is feeling the strain both emotionally and financially. Pray for them. Update on this family: Her mother-in-law is being taken to Oklahoma to live with an aunt who will care for her.
Pray for Arlene’s nephew David and for my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life.
Pray for Carolyn’s brother Ronald who has cancer.
Pray for our friend Michelle who was diagnosed with MS.
Pray for Cyndi Sullivan who made it six years with cancer but may now go home with hospice in her final days.
Pray for my cousin Diane who had total mastectomy surgery for breast cancer.
UPDATE on Barb who went in for back surgery and had a heart attack and stroke, she has her speech back and is home , but continues to have a problem with one arm and hand. Thanks to your prayers, she is able to hobble without a cane and has been granted disability. She still has surgery scheduled on her hand, but I saw her recently and her attitude is fantastic.
Pray for Robert Sargent who is quite ill with lung cancer.
Pray for Judy’s husband who was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. Pray for her too, that she can deal with the side effects of his illness.
Pray too for Charly’s husband Robert who is undergoing chemo for his prostate cancer.
Pray for John’s recovery from a heart attack and for the doctors who have difficulty diagnosing his other symptoms.
Pray for James’s sister Cynthia whose chemo has lost its effect as the cancer grows powerful.
Pray for another friend named Carolyn whose faith remains strong, but is lost and confused about where and how to spend her elder years.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter, Brian
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, survivors of Japan’s earthquake, survivors of the devastating tornadoes in our southernmost states and Joplin, Missouri. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.