Day 38 of 90 Devotion

Dearest e-votees-

Day thirty-eight of our cover to cover voyage through the Bible. If you want to see the readings for our trip through the Bible you can follow this link:

www.christthegoodshep.org/biblein90days.html

Peace,
Karl

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Day 38 Readings: Job 25:1-41:34

Ever ask a question and perhaps regret asking it the moment the answer begins?

After chapter upon chapter of venting his spleen Job gets answered. First by Elihu. And then more thoroughly by God. Job ends up withdrawing the objection. Retracting the complaint. Shrinking back away from the challenge.

The exchange is not very satisfying. God answered Job by overwhelming him with ability and force. But God didn't answer the troubling, fundamental question: Why did the innocent one suffer? God and Satan were the ones who called out Job's exemplary life. Job was beset upon and protested, rightly, that he had not done anything to deserve what happened to him (although, perhaps, he hadn't done anything to deserve the blessings that had been his either). This book, to this point, shows the power of God but doesn't fully answer the suffering of the innocent.

As we skip to the New Testament we are reminded of another who suffered but had no sin in him. He pleaded with God in the garden of Gethsemane but the suffering came and ended his life. He was mocked by sinners and taunted by hypocrites. He was like Job in many ways. It is troubling, too, that Jesus suffered. But somehow by his suffering we are made right and whole. Salvation comes through God being made small and being beset upon and falling a the hand of God's creation. But the power of God is shown, as in Job, in the end. The empty tomb vindicates the suffering of the innocent. In that emptiness we find fullness. Hope is sure and certain and ours in Jesus.


God, help us rest in the assurance that Jesus' suffering and death ultimately spare us eternal suffering and eternal death. Our questions may never fully be answered in this world and in the throes of this existence. In the confusion and pain of the unknown help us rest in the one who knows us fully. Amen.