Daily Reflection - November 29, 2024
Adapted from "Our Daily Bread"
Job 13:1-12 (New Catholic Bible)
Be Silent—I Want To Question God
1 “All this I have observed with my own eyes;
my ears have heard and understood it.
2 What you know, I also know;
I am not inferior to you in any way.
3 But I only wish to speak with the Almighty
and to argue my case with God.
4 As for you, you are obscuring the truth with lies,
and the solutions you offer are all worthless.
5 “Oh, if only you would be completely silent!
For you, that would be regarded as wisdom.
6 Hear now my reasoning
and listen to the plea that issues from my lips.
7 Is it on God’s behalf that you utter lies?
Is it in his defense that you speak deceitfully?
8 Will you show partiality for him
as you plead his case?
9 “Will you feel totally comfortable when he examines you?
Will you be able to deceive him as you deceive men?
10 If you show partiality, even though not flagrant,
he will surely rebuke you.
11 Will not his majesty frighten you
and the fear of him overcome you?
12 The ideas you propose are proverbs of ash;
your arguments are defenses of clay.
Reflection
Sometimes we want to yell, "God, please stop; I've had enough!" Job did. He tried God. Job declares, "I want to argue my case with God himself," and envisions bringing "God to court" after suffering unimaginable personal disasters. We sometimes think God is unjust. The truth is that Job's story is complicated and doesn't have simple solutions. Job's physical fortunes are eventually restored by God, but that isn't always His intention for us. The main idea is that there is amazing hope in the fact that God has purposes that we are unaware of.
When have you felt the need to "take God to court"? Why is it acceptable for you to pose challenging questions to Him?
Pray
Dear God, Sometimes I get irritated about what I've had to go through. Please help me in bringing my grievances to you. Amen