~ Read Job 35-36 Text, Audio
Lord God,
You
clear my name based on the work of your Son, and declare me innocent
because of his sacrifice. In a single act of all redeeming love, you
demonstrate your justice and mercy by having him pay for the guilt of my
sin. Who am I, Lord, that you are mindful of me? What have I done to
deserve such grace?
I
have not been holy, nor lived a righteousness life as your law demands.
I have not loved you as I could, nor obeyed you as I should. I have not
worshiped, honored, served, nor sacrificed for you as you deserve,
because I have been too focused on fulfilling my own goals and desires. I
have done nothing to merit the favor you’ve shown me, yet here I am,
thanking you for your promised salvation through Jesus Christ.
It
makes no sense to me, Lord. It’s totally illogical from what I can
understand. It’s not like you depend on me for anything, as if I have
something that you need. I am no different than anyone else you’ve
created in your image. I’m just a broken reflection of a perfect God.
Surely, there are others who are more deserving. There must be some who
have more to offer your Kingdom. Lord, why me? What have I done to
deserve such a blessed life?
Though
I often complain about my troubles, I know my life is easy compared to
others. I realize that I have not suffered the pain Job endured, nor
have I faced the struggles that afflict so many in this world today. In
many ways, my life has been so much better than I ever could have hoped,
and I understand that I should be far more thankful than I am.
Unfortunately,
Lord, the troubles that I do face, and the struggles I endure, leave
behind a residual guilt and pain that often overshadow the good things
in my life, stealing my joy and robbing me the peace I know I should
have.
It’s
almost as illogical as your love for me. On the one hand, I know that
my troubles are only temporary, and that one day, you will give me
victory over them all, and yet I grumble as if that’s not enough. I
complain as if you should be doing more, and I hate that about myself. I
don’t want to be ungrateful. I don’t want to complain. I don’t want to
be a person who is always cheerless and glum. I want to have your joy.
Lord,
fill me with such a joy today that I could face any trouble or hardship
with a smile on my face. Give me such a peace that I could take any
news in stride. Make my heart content, not in the things of this world,
which are here today, and gone tomorrow; but make me content in you and
you alone; for you are all I need, morning, noon, and night. Though I do
not deserve the love, you have shown me, nor the sacrifice you made on
my behalf, they are the blessing you have given me, by grace, through
faith, in Jesus Christ, and that’s enough for me.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, Amen.