Remembering Who’s in Charge

The story of Job was the main focal point today. It hit differently this time because I saw things in Job that I hadn’t seen before. Of course, I saw how wrong and cruel the three “friends” and the wife were. They were not comforting or supportive at all once they started talking, just accusatory and condescending. It even felt at times like they were enjoying his lowly and suffering state and seizing the opportunity to accuse. That part of the story gave off the same energy as last time. They were “miserable comforters” just like Job had stated.

However, I saw Job in greater depth this time. The air of self-righteousness highlighted itself as well as the misunderstanding of the Heavenly Father’s sovereignty. I also saw that he threw himself a whole pity party while he was suffering. “I shouldn’t have even been born. I shouldn’t even be here. What am doing all this for? He hates me.” and so on. The pity party isn’t all that uncommon, though. Many lament and go through all sorts of emotions while experiencing misfortune.

Most concerning was Job’s desire to “put the Almighty on trial” and question His processes. He was not an equal that he could cross-examine Him about His works. He was a human just like everyone else, and any righteousness he had came from the Almighty. If he was declared “blameless,” it was because the Almighty declared him as such.

Any skill, talent, job, material possession, children, spiritual ability, amount of money, etc. was given to him by the Almighty and could also be taken away by the Almighty at any time, for any reason, and by any means (our enemies, THE enemy, etc.). He did say that in the beginning, but his limited understanding came out as his sufferings increased. It happens.

In the end, the Heavenly Father told him where he had erred, and he repented. He also advocated for the people who had acted cruelly toward him in his darkest hour, as he was the only one allowed to do it. His suffering wasn’t a direct “punishment” for some hidden sin he wasn’t fessing up to. More likely, it was a testing and refining of his faith.

Delving into this book again didn’t just highlight Job’s shortcomings. It highlighted mine. 

The Almighty is in control of all things. He gives and takes away. He wounds and heals. He blinds and awakens. He appoints and dethrones. He covers and uncovers.