Our daily reflections follow the M'Cheyne Bible reading plan, designed for those who want to read the whole Bible in one year. Each reflection focuses on one of the chapters from that day's readings. Darllenwch rhain yn Gymraeg.
Lord, prepare me to receive your word. Clear my mind and warm my heart. Assure me of your loving purposes for me, and speak into my life today.
Job’s friends supposedly came to comfort him but they haven’t done anything to ease his pain. They seem to have lost sight of his suffering in their desire to win the theological argument at hand. Whether they can’t or won’t help, Job brands them ‘worthless physicians’ (verse 4) and turns his attention back to his appeal before God.
‘Though he slay me, I will hope in him,’ Job declares (verse 15). What is the nature of this hope? It seems to be that Job trusts God to be just and – confident that he is ‘in the right’ – believes he will be acquitted (verse 18). But in the meantime, while his friends can forget his suffering, Job cannot.
It’s worth reminding ourselves that Job is grieving, destitute and covered ‘with loathsome sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head’ (Job 2.7). Alongside his request for an answer from God he pleads, ‘withdraw your hand far from me, and let not dread of you terrify me’ (verse 21). Comparing himself to ‘a driven leaf’ and ‘dry chaff’, he can’t take much more; will God really ‘frighten’ and ‘pursue’ someone so weak (verse 25)?
The picture of God the Bible reveals shows that he does care for the weak and needy. Isaiah’s prophecy in chapter 42.3 – which Jesus relates to himself (Matthew 12.20) – says, ‘He will not break off a bent reed or put out a flickering lamp...’ Isaiah 40.31 says, ‘But those who trust in the LORD for help will find their strength renewed...’ And 2 Peter 3.9 makes it clear that God is not out to crush us: ‘He is patient with you, because he does not want anyone to be destroyed…’
Job’s faith in God is not misplaced and neither is ours. We really can trust and hope in him.
Thank you God that you love, redeem and restore broken people. I put my trust and hope in you. Fill me with your compassion for others and make me quick to offer real help and comfort to those in pain.
This reflection was written by Esther King, Digital Communications Officer at Bible Society
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