Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Job+007
CHAPTER 7 (ESV)
11 “Therefore I will not restrain my mouth;
I will speak in the anguish of my spirit;
I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.
12 Am I the sea, or a sea monster,
that you set a guard over me?
13 When I say, ‘My bed will comfort me,
my couch will ease my complaint,’
14 then you scare me with dreams
and terrify me with visions,
15 so that I would choose strangling
and death rather than my bones.
16 I loathe my life; I would not live forever.
Leave me alone, for my days are a breath.
17 What is man, that you make so much of him,
and that you set your heart on him,
18 visit him every morning
and test him every moment?
19 How long will you not look away from me,
nor leave me alone till I swallow my spit?
20 If I sin, what do I do to you, you watcher of mankind?
Why have you made me your mark?
Why have I become a burden to you?
21 Why do you not pardon my transgression
and take away my iniquity?
For now I shall lie in the earth;
you will seek me, but I shall not be.”
REFLECTION:
- Job deeply felt the pain and distress and he vented his emotion of despair by honestly telling God how he felt. If we need to express our feeling to God, we can learn from Job not to talk too aggressively or act impulsively, as this will hurt others and yourself. When emotions drown us, we can express to God through prayer. This will help you understand your situation from eternal perspective, and give you greater strength to face the situation actively.
- Job directly complained to God about his suffering. Although Job was blameless in his life, he started to doubt the value of his life. From Job’s perspective, he thought God was unfair because God did not take care of him. Later on, God blamed Job for such attitude. Satan always uses such ideas to make us betray God. Like Job, our suffering may not be the result of the sins we committed. However, we must be careful not to sin as a result of our suffering.
PRAYER:
God, I acknowledge that I am an impulsive person and sometimes lose control of my emotions, saying things that hurt others. Please forgive my transgressions and grant me the courage to apologize to those I have wronged. Help me to diligently keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
HYMN:
Cry of the Broken – www.youtube.com/watch?v=yD4kKCOBFi0
