Job 10 (Listen)

10:1   “I loathe my life;
  I will give free utterance to my complaint;
    I will speak in the bitterness of my soul.
  I will say to God, Do not condemn me;
    let me know why you contend against me.
  Does it seem good to you to oppress,
    to despise the work of your hands
    and favor the designs of the wicked?
  Have you eyes of flesh?
    Do you see as man sees?
  Are your days as the days of man,
    or your years as a man’s years,
  that you seek out my iniquity
    and search for my sin,
  although you know that I am not guilty,
    and there is none to deliver out of your hand?
  Your hands fashioned and made me,
    and now you have destroyed me altogether.
  Remember that you have made me like clay;
    and will you return me to the dust?
10   Did you not pour me out like milk
    and curdle me like cheese?
11   You clothed me with skin and flesh,
    and knit me together with bones and sinews.
12   You have granted me life and steadfast love,
    and your care has preserved my spirit.
13   Yet these things you hid in your heart;
    I know that this was your purpose.
14   If I sin, you watch me
    and do not acquit me of my iniquity.
15   If I am guilty, woe to me!
    If I am in the right, I cannot lift up my head,
  for I am filled with disgrace
    and look on my affliction.
16   And were my head lifted up, you would hunt me like a lion
    and again work wonders against me.
17   You renew your witnesses against me
    and increase your vexation toward me;
    you bring fresh troops against me.
18   “Why did you bring me out from the womb?
    Would that I had died before any eye had seen me
19   and were as though I had not been,
    carried from the womb to the grave.
20   Are not my days few?
    Then cease, and leave me alone, that I may find a little cheer
21   before I go—and I shall not return—
    to the land of darkness and deep shadow,
22   the land of gloom like thick darkness,
    like deep shadow without any order,
    where light is as thick darkness.”




Devotional:

I will say to God, “Do not declare me guilty! Let me know why you prosecute me.” (Job 10:2 CSB)

We do not have to be as confused as Job was in times of trouble because we can reflect on the insight we receive from God’s Word. Romans 8:1 tells us, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Job considered God’s condemnation an option, but we know otherwise in the light of Christ — Jesus Christ gives us that assurance. If we’re not in God’s Word, we won’t know of God’s assurance and will be as confused as Job was when trouble hits. As you read God’s Word, are you tucking away those nuggets to pull out when you need them? As you learn about the character of our God, are you able to articulate that to others when they need it?

Pray it:  Father, don’t let my confusion about the injustices and mysteries of this world (and in my life) cause me to wonder about or doubt my status before you or my salvation. Remind me of the wonderful truth that my future is secure with you through faith in Jesus and that nothing in this world can take that away. Amen. 

Share it: Who is someone you can share a verse or thought from this passage with today?