One time Job is saying of God: “Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him.” Job 13:15
Then again he will lament: “For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison whereof drinketh up my spirit: the terrors of God do set themselves in array against me.” Job 6:4
In other words, God is using Job for “target practice!” As in Job 7:20 … “O thou Preserver of men, why hast Thou set me as a mark (target) against Thee?”
In 13:15 … Job on a “mountain top.”
Yet in 6:4 and 7:20 … Job in a “valley.”
It’s the same with Jeremiah, great Old Testament Prophet.
A “good” day: “Thy words (Lord) were found, and I did eat them; and Thy Word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by Thy Name, O LORD God of hosts.” Jeremiah 15:16
A “bad” one: “Why is my pain perpetual, and my wound incurable, which refuseth to be healed? Wilt Thou (Lord) be altogether unto me as a liar, and as waters that fail?” Jeremiah 15:18, only three verses later!
In 15:16 Jeremiah loves God’s Word and considers his identity to be “in the Lord.”
But by 15:18 Jeremiah is calling God unfaithful!
Yes, “ups” and “downs!”
Even Paul!
Philippians 1:21 … “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Jesus, Paul’s Everything!
But in Romans 7:14 … “For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.” Did he say “carnal?” Or Paul’s wail: “O wretched man that I am!” Romans 7:24, after having been saved for several decades!
Even him, the greatest Apostle ever, “two natures” abiding within his bosom.
But let’s get back to the man Job.
Job 2:10 reports, after a number of traumatic catastrophes … “In all this did not Job sin with his lips.”
Yet in Job 40:4, in God’s Presence: “Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer Thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.” He now feels he has talked too much! “Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further.” Job 40:4
I am not saying Job ever “cursed” God, like Satan predicted he would.
In fact, Job did NOT do such!
I am saying that Job (like Jeremiah and like Paul and like you and like me) was human! He had his “ups” and “downs” in life.
Does this help?
Joseph Parker, an old British Preacher, used to say: “No man is as bad as his worst day. And no man is as good as his best day!”
Yes, “ups” and “downs.”
Oh, now let me tell you of One Who never had a “weak” day, spiritually.
One Who could truly testify: “The Father hath not left me alone; for I do ALWAYS those things that please Him.” John 8:29.
One Who constantly was, and still (eternally) is … supremely FAITHFUL! Read here: “Consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus, Who was FAITHFUL to Him (God the Father) that appointed Him.” Hebrews 3:1-2
His Name is JESUS, the Son of God.
How’s your week been?
— Dr. Mike Bagwell