Job 9:13 If God will not withdraw his anger" .... 14 How much less shall I answer him, and choose out my words to reason with him? 15 Whom, though I were righteous, yet would I not answer" .... 16 If I had called, and he had answered me; yet would I not believe that he had hearkened unto my voice. 17 For he breaketh me with a tempest, and multiplieth my wounds without cause.
This passage of scripture raises one of the deeper concerns of Job as he struggled with the sudden loss of all that he held dear on this earth. To him it seemed that he was doing everything right, when suddenly without warning and without apparent cause, his entire world was turned upside down, and in his despair he gave voice to several haunting concerns that now churned in his mind. He wondered if God was angry with him, and if so, what would be the cause. He was also concerned that up to this point, The Lord had not answered him, nor had sent an angel to encourage him, or at least to give him an explanation. Last but not least, he mentions his concern that he thought he was being afflicted without cause, intimating that probably he was not being treated fairly by God.
This last sentiment that was uttered by Job presents a predicament we often find ourselves in as Christians, and we are often at a loss for explanations as to why certain tragedies or perplexities may come our way, when for all intents and purposes, we have been doing the right thing. Job had been faithful in all of his house, and his service to God and his relationship with Christ was intact, for God Himself bore testimony to the fact that he was a perfect and an upright man. Let's read:
Job 1:1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil. 4 And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them. 5 And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.
Now, after all his faithful service and the good he had done in his community, the issue that needs to be resolved is whether his righteousness earns him the right to be exempt from such trouble as he was going through. And when we in our experiences with The Lord, serve Him with unswerving integrity, do we also deserve to be treated with only blessings, and protection from our foes. This question must be settled in our hearts once and for all, for as human beings, we have become accustomed to rewards for good behavior, in so much that if difficulties come our way without warning, we may think that God isn't treating us the way we deserve, and when these turbulent thoughts are harbored, they develop into grudges we harbor against our Creator.
Santa "Claws" is said to bring gifts and goodies to boys and girls who behave themselves well, and it may be that a trickle-down effect has taken place with us as adults. While it is true that the Bible promises blessings in obedience to the commands of God, yet these blessings and favors should never be looked upon as something we deserve, as though we were entitled to God's favor. All the good that God does in our behalf is because of His great mercy and loving-kindness, and has nothing at all to do with whatever righteousness we may have done, or any service to Him we may have rendered. The prophet Daniel understood this sacred truth as it was manifested in his prayer to God, for His mercies and favor to be bestowed again upon His people. Let's read:
Daniel 9:17 Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord's sake. 18 O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies. 19 O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name.
In our own experiences with God, it is important to remember that God's favor and blessings are not an entitlement as a result of many good works, but as Daniel stated, because of His tender mercies that are renewed to us each and every day. We therefore end with a passage of scripture that teaches us to serve God for who He is, not for what benefits and material blessings we can receive from Him. Let's read:
Psalms 100:1 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. 2 Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. 3 Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. 4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. 5 For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
May God add His blessing to the study and practice of His word. "Good night" and God bless!