19 How long? Will You not look away from me, and let me alone till I swallow my saliva? 20 Have I sinned? What have I done to You, O watcher of men? Why have You set me as Your target, so that I am a burden to myself? (Job 7:19–20, NKJV)
Job was in the midst of tremendous suffering, not because of his own sins, but because he was upright (Job 1:8-12). His three friends told him it was his own sins that produced his grief and pain. Far from being sympathetic, one of them said, “whoever perished, being innocent?” (Job 4:7) Job wondered out loud if God had put a target on his back. No, far from it. The innocent do suffer in this world (Jesus of Nazareth is the prime example). When they do, we must not blame God, but keep our faith in Him, knowing that He is far more powerful and wiser than we are. Sin brought suffering in this world, and evil is the ultimate culprit of this world’s pain (Gen. 3:1-19). Job endured, and saw “that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful” (Jas. 5:11; Job 42:10-17). Let us imitate his perseverance when tested by sorrow. This world is not our home.
Sword Tips 