Job 5:6-8 

New Living Translation (NLT)

 If I were you, I would go to God
    and present my case to him.

For Meditation

“If I were you…”

Well, that is why you are not me, my friend. So, don’t presume on my guilt, you of limited knowledge. Why don’t you be quiet if you have nothing helpful to say about my situation and leave me to the Lord, the Righteous Judge, who alone knows my suffering and the purpose of it? Why impugn my innocence with your careless words? What makes you assume my guilt?

I am so glad that the Lord is my judge and not you. I am so blessed to have a Savior who understands my pain and suffering—a Great High Priest who can empathize with me because He has suffered it all (Heb 4:14-15). Christ alone can feel my pain for all He suffered on earth. They pronounced Him guilty when He was not. They said many things about Him who knew no sin but mine. Yet, like a lamb to the slaughter and a sheep before its shearers, He did not open His mouth (Isa. 53:7). He committed Himself to the Father and bore our pain and shame until glory dawned on Him.

Christ has become my standard to imitate. I will not honor your disdainful words, my friend. I would instead commit myself to God in Christ and allow Him to carry me through this crucible. My vindication will soon come, for Christ will not abandon me to your insensitive rumblings. He will lift me out of the abyss of despair and set my feet upon the Rock. He will put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to my God (Ps. 40:1-2). Then you will know how good my God is. Maybe, then, your speech will be more accurate. Maybe His rebuke will set you right before Him.

But I forgive you, my friend. How can I nurture a grudge against you after all Christ has done for me? How can I imprison myself for your ignorance?

I will sing to the One who alone knows me thoroughly. I will lift my eyes to the One who is seated on the right hand of God in majesty (Col. 3:1-2) and fill my mind with things that edify (Phil. 4:8). I will always bless the Lord and continually fill my mouth with His praise (Psa. 34:1-2)

So, sing with me, you the afflicted and misunderstood. You who are downtrodden and have become the scum of the world, for Christ’s name’s sake, join me in celebrating His goodness. The day will dawn soon, and the darkness will roll away like a scroll at His appearing in your situation. He will turn your mourning into joyful dancing and exchange your sackcloth for a garment of praise (Psa. 30:11).

To Christ alone be glory and honor, even now and forever. Amen!

Shalom