“Then Job answered and said:
“I have heard many such things;
miserable comforters are you all.
Shall windy words have an end?
Or what provokes you that you answer?
I also could speak as you do,
if you were in my place;
I could join words together against you
and shake my head at you.
I could strengthen you with my mouth,
and the solace of my lips would assuage your pain…
“Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven,
and he who testifies for me is on high.
My friends scorn me;
my eye pours out tears to God,
that he would argue the case of a man with God,
as a son of man does with his neighbor.” Job 16:1-5,19-21
“If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.” Romans 8:31-34
Job in his misery found comfort on earth elusive. His children were dead, his wife told him to ‘curse God and die,’ and his friends so far had blamed him for his misfortune and suffering. Finding no consolation in their windy words nor anyone to defend him, Job turned to the only true Advocate he knew. His God would count and hold and understand his tears, He would tend to his plea. He was on Job’s side and ever would be. This righteous man may have felt alone on earth, but he had a sure heavenly witness and comrade. (Job 1:13-22; 2:9; Psalm 56:8)
There are times we’re tempted to puddle in self-pity, unable to stop the downward spiral of rue and woe. Mesmerized with painful circumstances, grief’s gravity can take us to angry haunts and bitterness. Personal hardships become everybody’s bane when my countenance and language whine.
A small adjustment fixing our vision on the Victor makes a significant difference in reaction to a harsh and punishing world. Retaliation and lamentation turn to praise in Christ’s plea. Will we exchange woe is me for worthy is He? Nobody’s with me for God is for me..? The Lord our divine Defense stands with us, speaks for us, and guards us from condemnation. Will we sorrow or sing?
“When through the deep waters I call you to go,
the rivers of sorrow shall not overflow,
for I will be with you in trouble to bless,
and sanctify to you your deepest distress.
“When through fiery trials your pathway shall lie,
my grace all-sufficient shall be your supply;
the flame shall not hurt you; I only design
your dross to consume and your gold to refine.
“The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose
I will not, I will not desert to its foes;
that soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake!” ~ George Keith (1787)
Heavenly Advocate, help me take hope that every trial refines as gold because You live and act on my behalf for Your glorious purposes. (Job 23:10; 42:2,5)
As the rain and snow 