Week Eleven - Unashamed

Job has been judged, badgered, and ridiculed by his so-called friends. Though they came to give comfort and support him during his grief, no words of comfort were spoken. Their continual accusations wore Job down. Looking around, he notices that everyone has abandoned him. The community whispers behind his back, and even his servant ignores his pleas. His summation is that even God has overthrown him (19:6), and he is counted as an enemy of God (19:11). No amount of talk or reasoning can alter his circumstance. He is a broken man sitting in the dust, enduring harsh words and ridicule.

Amazingly, he summons up a prayer. "Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book! That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever! (19:23-24). You read Job's words today because God answered that prayer. For literally generations, Christians have drawn hope and learning from Job's grueling experience.

But after his prayer, Job brightens, again expressing his integrity and faith. "For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God (19:25-26).

In the midst of great trial, misunderstanding, abandonment, and heartache, Job's words refresh our souls. There is hope beyond grief. There is something to look forward to. Oh, that our words were resplendent with Job's same hope. Our Redeemer lives, and one day, we will stand before him.

The trial of our faith is temporary. The heartaches of this life do not last for eternity. They are but tools used by God to create for us a "more eternal weight of glory" (2 Corinthians 4:17).

Like Job, we must look beyond today to our Saviour and the promise of eternal life full of peace and joy. John's prayer in 1 John 2:28 is that "we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming."  This needs to be the focus of our prayer; that we may stand unashamed and ready to meet our Lord.

I'm sure Job stood unashamed before God. Will we?