In Eliphaz’s third and final speech, he accuses Job of wickedness. Grasping for a reason behind his friend’s suffering, Eliphaz must believe his friend has done something to deserve this. If he hadn’t, surely God would not have allowed this amount of suffering to befall him.
How quickly our faith reduces to a formula when in crisis. If I do good works for God, God will bless me, right? Job knew that no matter what he did or did not do, God “is unchangeable, who can oppose Him? He does what he desires” (Job 23:13). Which leaves us wondering, if the outcome will always be the same, why even bother with trying to do good?
I recently moved into a house with a newly remodeled kitchen. It is neat and pristine on the surface, but I have learned that the pipes beneath it are not. Previous owners committed the cardinal sin against sinks. They put grease down the drain, and now I’m dealing with a clog.
As several different plumbers have come in and out of my home, I have learned that a beautiful kitchen is worthless if the pipes are bad. When it comes to kitchens, it is only what’s beneath the surface that allows everything to function, flow, and thrive. When it comes to us, it is the same.
To the church in Galatia, Paul wrote, “For whatever a person sows he will also reap, because the one who sows to his flesh will reap destruction from the flesh” (Galatians 6:7–8). For whatever a man puts down the drain, he will also see it come up again.
God cares about our good works, not because they affect His will—He is unchangeable, who can oppose Him?—but because they affect who we are. As Paul continues, saying, “the one who sows to his flesh will reap destruction from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit” (v.8).
We must not get tired of doing good, not because our good deeds will lead to good circumstances, but because sowing goodness leads to a life of trusting in the Spirit—the type of life that can withstand trials with faith.
Job seems to have the opposite problem of my kitchen. His life is in shambles, his kitchen a disaster zone, but the plumbing is clear. He is asking why, as we all would, but he is also asking a better question: where? Where is God in the struggle? “If only I knew how to find him,” he pleads, “so that I could go to His throne” (Job 23:3).
Through our great High Priest Jesus Christ, we have direct access to the throne room Job seeks. Because of this, although we can’t always be confident of the why, we can be confident of the where. Where is God in our suffering? Right there with us in the midst of it.
Whatever suffering befalls you today, know that God is near. And His Spirit is allowing you to do good, so that even if your physical life is in shambles, you can be confident the life inside of you is eternal.
Lord im confident in you.
Doing good may make us feel good and lead to good circumstances in our life but it will also bring us closer to the Lord which is our ultimate goal!
Amen … more of where and less of why..
I think it so interesting, the major problem with Job’s friends and consoles were that they didn’t believe in him. Surely he did something wrong, surely he just wasn’t doing something right. Their words didn’t lift up his character or encourage him, but told him what he was doing wrong.
This has so much to teach us about being a friend and leader. To encourage the best from people and point them to God rather than showing them all the ways they may be flawed or messing up.
I love this. Thank you.
I feel like Job SO much sometimes, and it makes me feel kind of bratty because I’ve not gone through all he has. I’m searching for a house, praying every step of the way, and feel no comfort. I know that He’s faithful and I know that He is here, but it’s so hard to feel comfort in such a stressful process when I feel like prayers bounce off the ceiling of my apartment as my lease runs out. I’ve found myself asking God “where are you with the answers?” But I’m trying to be patient and have faith.
Wow Andrea, this was SO good! Thank you!
Jesus the same yesterday today and for ever