RPG Adults
WHO CAN STAND BEFORE A HOLY GOD
SATURDAY, APRIL 23
Job 10:13-22
Psalm 130
“I wait for the LORD,
my soul doth wait…”
WHO CAN STAND BEFORE A HOLY GOD?
Job opened this portion with a shocking statement. In his pain, anguish and confusion, he said that, perhaps, all of God’s former goodness was just hiding the fact that this terrible judgment was to come (Job 10:13). Job now saw the entire situation as hopeless, feeling there was no chance to have a restored relationship with God. He knew that God would not overlook sin, but the sinner would be chastised; but Job said that even if he acted in a proper manner and did not sin, he would still be weighed down by shame and misery (Job 10:14-15).
Job believed that even if he were to try to lift up his head in joy, God would hunt him like a lion, and His righteous presence would remind Job of his own pitiable situation. The witness God would bring against Job was his own suffering. Like his friends, Job felt that his present condition somehow had to be linked to sin. It was like a war being fought against him, with one blow after another being added to his suffering (Job 10:16- 17). Once again, Job wished that he had been still-born. In his present suffering and confusion, he felt that it would have been better if he had been buried at birth (Job 10:18-19). Recognising that man’s days were few, Job pleaded with God to give him a little rest before he died (Job 10:20). He refers to the “shadow of death,” an expression often used by the ancients (Job 10:21-22). However, we can see from his earlier statement about death that he believed his eternity would be a time of rest from the afflictions of the earth (Job 6:9-10).
Job, in his despair, said many harsh things about God’s judgment. He had lost sight of God’s love but he also spoke of God’s mercy and justice. He continued to pray to the Lord and, at no time, did he renounce his faith as Satan said he would.
May we have the faithfulness and perseverance of Job. When these things are coupled with a knowledge of God’s Word, it produces giants in the faith who truly stand for God.
THOUGHT: Why was Job confused?
PRAYER: Thy Word reveals to me that the presence of Thy righteousness shows man’s sin.