A “through the bible” devotion from Job 31.
After an exasperating conversation, in person or on the phone, someone might demand, “I want to talk to your supervisor.” If you’re not getting an answer, or no one wants to resolve your problem, you start going up the chain of command. “Let me talk to your manager!”
Job goes right to the top:
Oh, that I had one to hear me!
(Here is my signature! Let the Almighty answer me!)
Oh, that I had the indictment written by my adversary! (Job 31:35)
Job wants an answer. After 29 chapters of verbal jousting between Job and his friends, trying to figure out why Job has experienced terrible suffering, it’t time to appeal to the highest authority.
It’s a prayer of faith. Job knows who he’s talking to. He calls God “the Almighty.” But he also refers to God as his adversary. In the last few weeks, it seems like God is against him for some reason. He’s still Job’s God, but Job has reached the end of his rope. He demands an answer.
Job is bold. What right do we have to demand an answer from God? None whatsoever. I’ve heard many insist, “When I get to heaven, I’m going to have a few questions for the Lord!” How do you feel when someone is demanding and insists on an answer? Does the Heavenly Father roll his eyes when his children won’t stop asking, “Why?”
When Jesus was here on earth, standing trial, his accusers from the priests to the governor demanded answers. “Are you the Christ?” “Are you the king of the Jews?” When Jesus answered, they put him to death. They got their answer, but they weren’t happy with it. Such demands reveal unbelief rather than trust.
When we get demanding, like Job, we are being the ones the prophets described. Since God has revealed so much about himself in the creation and through his Word, we’re blind and deaf to so many questions he’s already answered. When we get demanding, it probably means we already know the answer. We just don’t like it.
God hears your demands. He loves you anyway.
Waite for it... 