RPG Adults
LIFE’S DARKEST HOURS
SATURDAY, MAY 7
Job 17:1-9
Psalm 88:1-7
“Come and hear,
all ye that fear God…”
LIFE’S DARKEST HOURS
Job was slowly dying. He saw his days numbered and the grave standing ready. In his suffering, his friends mocked his assertion that he knew of no unconfessed sin to cause his suffering (Job 17:1-2).
Job now turned from his friends to speak to God. He had been treated as a sinner undergoing just punishment. Job now asked God to “lay down now” (Job 17:3), that is, put up a pledge or guarantee on his behalf. There was no one else who would do this for him. Someday, the Saviour would come and place His seal and eternal guarantee on all His people (Job 17:3; Heb 7:22).
Job felt sure that God would not allow his friends and their false views to triumph. They had done a terrible thing in turning their backs on their friend and accusing him of rebelling against God (Job 17:4-5). God had allowed Job to be made a spectacle before the world. He was as one accursed. Due to this, his face showed the signs of his grief and his body was racked with pain. Those who were righteous were astonished at his suffering (Job 17:6-9).
It is hard to stand for the truth when all are against us. In the depths of his heart, Job knew that he loved God. Although he could not explain what appeared to be God’s displeasure with him, he held firm in his faith. Surely, this was Job’s darkest hour and yet he was faithful.
May we be as faithful as Job in these final days of this age so that when the Lord comes, He will find us rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation and continuing instant in prayer (Rom 12:12).
THOUGHT: How do trials affect the righteous?
PRAYER: Father, help me to count it a privilege to suffer for Thee.