Bible Reading Blog
“In Need of Mercy”
Categories: Congregational Bible ReadingBIBLE READING: Job 9
“...how can man be right before God? If one wished to contend with him, one could not answer him once in a thousand times... Though I am in the right, I cannot answer him; I must appeal for mercy to my accuser.” (Job 9.2, 15)
Do we understand just how feeble we are? Job was a man of faith, who had possessions beyond what most of us can imagine; and yet it was all taken away from him in a moment. As a person of faith he acknowledged his things were gracious blessings from God (Job 1.21), but also recognized the significance they had in his life. “Have I any help in me, when resource is driven from me?” (Job 6.13)
Job’s grievance is not that God is unjust or corrupt but that He is good, and without His goodness life is unbearable. Even at our very best, time and chance happen to all (Ecclesiastes 9.11) and we are in desperate need of peace and security that only God, in His Sovereignty, can offer. But who are we to demand that from God?
He is stronger, wiser, greater and more perfect in every way than us (Job 9.4-12). If we believe God is the Eternal Creator, what right have we to impose on Him to change our circumstances or provide us relief from present distress? Of His own prerogative God offers mercy, which should give us pause as it did the psalmist: “What is man that you are mindful of him?” (Psalm 8.4)
This reality should position us in humility. I’m not talking about some contrived façade of self deprecation, but a true understanding that if the bottom falls out, we are helpless and hopeless without God. Even at our very best, what power do we have to fully control our lives? We often think we have control until something unexpected happens.
I believe God withholds his goodness at times to help His people learn these realities and desire more than just the benefits of His mercy and grace (see Deuteronomy 8.5). He wants to be our God; He wants us to be his people (Jeremiah 7.23). He wants us to trust and rely on Him (Proverbs 3.5-6). But we must be humble enough to let Him be the leader, in the good and the bad times.
Is this season of uncertainty producing greater humility in your life? This is what God requires of us (Micah 6.8; Philippians 2.5-8). The gospel calls us to weep and mourn for our sins because they are an affront to God’s perfection (James 4.8-9). It calls us to cast our cares before the loving God (1 Peter 5.6-7). It expects us to turn away from what we think is right (Romans 12.3; 1 Peter 3.11).
We are powerless to control the future, but God is not (Isaiah 46.8-10). On this side of the cross, we thank God for His grace through Jesus to be able to stand boldly before His throne and offer our petitions (Hebrews 4.16). But let us never forget God’s act of mercy. Trusting in Him is our only hope.
