GraceNotes

My Words
Job 19:23-24
Jim Stephens
10-28-09

Scripture:

23 "Oh, that my words could be written. Oh, that they could be inscribed on a monument, 24 carved with an iron chisel and filled with lead, engraved forever in the rock." (Job 19:23-24 NLT)

Nobody really listened! God didn't seem to hear his desperate prayers and his cries for understanding. His friends didn't listen at all. They impatiently waited until he finished speaking and then accused him of being evil and blamed him for his suffering or spouted simplistic formulas for fixing things.

Job just wanted someone to hear him. He cried out in frustration, "Oh, that my words could be written! Oh, that my words could be carved in stone!"

If Job had only known what God was going to do with his story! There was no way he could know that his words would be written in the Bible. That, better than being carved in a stone monument, his words would be passed on from generation to generation, from century to century, translated from language to language. That people from every nation and generation, who are facing life's injustices, unexplainables, and unanswerables, would find hope and comfort in Job's story.

Lessons for you and me?

Be honest with God and others about what you're experiencing, how it feels, how it hurts. Realize that there will be times when even your closest friends misunderstand. Don't focus your frustration and anger on your critics or accusers. Trust that God loves you and will not forsake you. Know that God always has more going on than can be seen or understood in the moment and from our limited viewpoint.

Prayer:

Father, I feel pretty much unqualified to write about handling suffering and hardship in a Job-like manner. It's just that as I read this verse today, I felt as if there were people who would read this GraceNotes who are right where Job was when he cried out in frustration, "Oh th at someone would acknowledge and remember what I'm going through!" I pray for your grace on each person who is facing unexplainable hardship and wrestling with unanswerable questions. Please grant strength and courage to face another day. Give patience to hold on until hope dawns. Grant a sense of meaning in meaninglessness and peace in uncertainty and confusion. By your grace. Amen.

Copyright 2009 Resource Ministries International
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