Devoted
Sometimes you want your friends to keep silent and let God speak.
Then Job answered: But I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to argue my case with God. As for you, you whitewash with lies; all of you are worthless physicians. If you would only keep silent, that would be your wisdom! Hear now my reasoning, and listen to the pleadings of my lips. Will you speak falsely for God, and speak deceitfully for him? Will you show partiality toward him, will you plead the case for God? Will it be well with you when he searches you out? Or can you deceive him, as one person deceives another? He will surely rebuke you if in secret you show partiality. Will not his majesty terrify you, and the dread of him fall upon you? Your maxims are proverbs of ashes, your defenses are defenses of clay. "Let me have silence, and I will speak, and let come on me what may. I will take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in my hand. See, he will kill me; I have no hope; but I will defend my ways to his face. This will be my salvation, that the godless shall not come before him. Listen carefully to my words, and let my declaration be in your ears. withdraw your hand far from me, and do not let dread of you terrify me. Then call, and I will answer; or let me speak, and you reply to me. How many are my iniquities and my sins? Make me know my transgression and my sin. Why do you hide your face, and count me as your enemy? Will you frighten a windblown leaf and pursue dry chaff? For you write bitter things against me, and make me reap the iniquities of my youth. You put my feet in the stocks, and watch all my paths; you set a bound to the soles of my feet. - Job 12:1,13:3-17,21-27
What Job wants more than anything else is for God to talk to him.
He wants an explanation for the suffering and pain he is enduring. What did he do wrong?
He's tired of just sitting there and taking it without knowing why this has fallen on him.
Is being angry with God different than doubting God?
He hasn't cursed God, and that is what God said. God has had faith in Job, which is the story's point. Job is faithful and devoted.
No matter what happens to him, he stays the course. Yes, he wants answers, and he even wanted to end his own life, but he still wants to have a conversation with God.
Let's talk this out, he is saying.
How many of us would react this way?
We want answers from God when we are suffering.
Maybe we are like Job.
More to come...