The Power of Questions

As readers of this drama, we know that instead of accusing Job, God affirmed his faith and his integrity. But Job doesn’t know this, and so he struggles in darkness, suffering the logical consequences of the belief that suffering is always the result of sin.

Because Job can’t make sense of this, he concludes that God is arbitrarily picking on him and lashes out in anger. “Tell me. Show me! And hurry because I don’t have much time left - death is close at hand. You created me. Now you want to destroy me. I thought you were a loving God. What happened?“

He doesn’t understand how the God who gave him life, cared for him and knows he’s innocent could now want to destroy him. He moves through despair, anger and confusion, sometimes yearning for God to look at him, sometimes to look away, but always wanting God to hear and answer him.

We feel that same jumble of emotions when life falls apart and nothing makes sense.

Job is really posing the questions we all ask at some point in our lives: Who are you, God? What are you really like? How do I get to know you? How do I reconcile my difficult life experiences with my expectations of you as a loving God?

In those times, we would do well to follow Job’s example. Even though he doesn’t understand, he still believes God is there and listens. And even though the conversation is very one-sided at the moment, he is still talking directly to God. What Job doesn’t know yet is that this very one-sided conversation is preparing him to be ready to hear God - and discover the living and loving God with whom he can enjoy a deeper relationship built on truth.

Respond in Prayer

Majestic God, open my eyes to see you more clearly, open my ears to hear you more distinctly and open my heart to receive your love more completely. Thank you that you wait patiently whenever I have to work my way through jumbled emotions to be ready to receive your words, your truth and your love. Amen.

Lynn Smith

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version® (NIV®).