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LOST JOY
MONDAY, APRIL 11
Job 3:1-10

Psalm 93

 

“The LORD reigneth,

he is clothed with majesty…”

 

LOST JOY
 
As we begin to consider Job’s words spoken in the misery of his situation, it is necessary to remember that Job is a book of poetry in the original Hebrew. Although this poetic style is not reflected in most English translations, we need to understand a little about the Hebrew poetic form in order to understand the book. One of the interesting things that we should note is a tendency to overstate in order to emphasize. The Hebrew poet would say things in a much stronger way than they were actually meant. As Job’s friends listened to him, they understood what he was doing and we should react in a similar fashion.
 
Job cried out, speaking of his misery in the tradition of the Semitic poets of his time. He cursed the day he was born and, in effect, wished his birth had never taken place (Job 3:1-10). In his bitterness, he forgot the joy of past blessings and the promise of blessings in the future, having no thought of his responsibility to serve God. The Lord can supply joy in the midst of hardship but sin, such as Job’s bitterness, robs us of that joy. Thus, the Psalmist, in Psalm 51:12, had to call out to God to restore to him the joy of his salvation.
 
While we recognise the tremendous tribulation of Job, we must also remember the sufficiency of God’s grace. When we are led into times of difficulty, we must remember to keep our eyes fixed on the Lord Jesus Christ. The composer has written,
 
“Earthly friends would prove untrue, Doubts and fears assail,
One still loves and cares for you, One who will not fail.”
 
It is true that Jesus never fails and, in times of difficulty, we must remember this in order not to fall into sin and despair as Job did. Let us remain firm and steadfast as Job was at the beginning of Satan’s attack. We must recognise that if we do not lean upon the Lord, we will grow weary and discouraged.
 
THOUGHT: Why did Job become so discouraged?
PRAYER: Father, help me to always fix my eyes on Jesus, even when things are difficult.

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