~ Read Job 41-42 Text, Audio
Gracious God,
I
believe you can do anything you want. I know you can do anything that
pleases you, because you are all-powerful. No one can oppose your power
and might. Nothing on earth compares to you glory and beauty. Though
your creation is majestic with its towering mountains and vast oceans,
not even it comes close to your greatness. Nothing on earth compares to
you.
Birds
fly at your command, and fish swim according to your will. Every living
thing demonstrates your creativity, and displays your sovereign care.
I
know I confess, Lord God, I do feel like Job on occasion. When things
just aren’t going well, sometimes I wonder if you are neglecting me, or
punishing me for something I’ve done. When my hopes are not met, my
plans seem to fail, and my friends do nothing but let me down. When
loved ones get sick, die too soon, or suffer some anguish that I cannot
relieve. When all that I do seem to make little difference, and I wonder
if matters at all, I admit, I get discouraged. I get weary. I get weak.
I get apathetic, frustrated, and mad. I admit it. I confess that I
often feel like Job; because, honestly, Lord, I just don’t understand
why life has to be so difficult.
However,
I also recognize that your plans are bigger than my plans, and that
your ways are more mysterious than mine. I realize Lord, that you see
what I cannot, and discern what I can’t understand. Like Job, I know
that I complain in ignorance, and would be better off saying nothing at
all. At the same time, I know, that your grace is sufficient to cover
even my even my unjust grumbling, and I thank you for that.
Gracious
God, I repent of my brokenness and sin. I confess my selfishness and
pride. I know it’s thoughtless and arrogant of me to assume that I know
what’s best for myself, let alone for others. So I pray you will forgive
me of all my offenses and help me to trust you to lead.
Lord,
whenever I am prideful, puffed-up, and smug, assuming that I know what
is best, or have all the answers, help me to be humble, submissive, and
teachable, accepting that I am not as wise as I’d like to believe.
Wherever I perceived as being callous, or uncaring, apathetic, cold, or
unkind, give me the mercy and compassion of Christ, so I can see the
suffering and hurt that others are going through and minister to them as
you command me to. However, my greed, envy, and lust, might get in the
way of me living for you, heal that brokenness in me Lord.
Do
not let me go any longer, living the self-righteous life of a Pharisee,
as if I could earn your favor and love; but help me to submit to your
truth and grace in my life; for I know, that it’s not about me, my
desires or preferences. It’s all about you. Thank you for teaching me
that through Job, by the power of your Spirit living in me, through
Jesus Christ, my Lord, I pray, Amen.
Where mercy is the rule, not the exception.
