53. God Is Just
Hymns: RHC 360 My God, Is Any Hour So Sweet, 371 Sweet Hour of Prayer, 3339 When I Fear My Feaith Will Fail
Job 21:27-34
27Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices which ye wrongfully imagine against me. 28For ye say, Where is the house of the prince? and where are the dwelling places of the wicked? 29Have ye not asked them that go by the way? and do ye not know their tokens, 30That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction? they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath. 31Who shall declare his way to his face? and who shall repay him what he hath done? 32Yet shall he be brought to the grave, and shall remain in the tomb. 33The clods of the valley shall be sweet unto him, and every man shall draw after him, as there are innumerable before him. 34How then comfort ye me in vain, seeing in your answers there remaineth falsehood? (Job 21:27-34 KJV)
God Is Just
OUTLINE
- The Wicked’s Apparent Prosperity (v17-26)
- The Wicked’s Certain Judgment (v27-34)
INTRODUCTION
Job’s mental condition is well-described by the Apostle Paul by Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
His outward condition of physical misery does not rob him of his peace with God.
Romans 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Though the outward man perishes, the inward man, the man Job at his core, is renewed day by day through the trace of God. Looking to the time when his change will come.
Romans 5:3-5 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Job is thriving in his rebuttal of his friends wrongful assessment of God’s working and providence.
In the Christian’s life, we are to expect tribulation. Tribulation produces in him steadfast endurance. Troubles, sufferings, tears, affliction and distress are a part of this earthly life. We cannot avoid it. It is allowed by God in His sovereign will to mould us that it may bring forth godly virtues.
One of the fruits of tribulation is that it produces this spiritual fruit called patience. Tribulation builds Christian character. We do not welcome tribulation, humanly speaking. As we think of the emotion, mental, physical suffering that it brings, often we shudder. We look at the life of those who went through tribulation, we acknowledge it is tough going.
The word “patience” describes a bearing up under, patience, endurance as to things or circumstances that seemed overbearing. It can mean a prolonged sickness, having to care for a loved who is not well, loss of job, harsh working conditions. While we are, under those circumstances, we struggle.
The Christian virtue of patience describes perseverance, of steadfast endurance. Not giving up in adversity. The book of psalms is the Bible’s prayer book. It describes the many struggles of the psalmist through the vicissitudes of life. How he overcame and had victory through these prolonged hours of tribulation is meaningful study. The overarching lesson is to trust God though there seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel. This is a chorus for your encouragement.
Only Jesus, Only Jesus
Only Jesus, only Jesus
Only He can satisfy
All my burdens are turned to blessings
When I know my Lord is nigh.
If you are going through some affliction, may this chorus encourage your heart to keep trusting the Lord. This is true faith demonstrated when a man is soundly converted to Christ.
Romans 5:6-11 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
Job had such a spiritual life. This was the spiritual dynamics of the inner man of Job.
The blessing of being a child of God is joy in God. It describes an attitude of confidence in God, to rejoice in, glory in, boast in the stability of life with God. The psalmist testified of this joy in God as he made God the centre of his devotion:
Psalm 16:5-11 The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot. 6 The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage. 7 I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons. 8 I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. 9Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. 10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
Life with God dispels fear and anxiety. We can trust in His care, provision and protection. When we are unable to rejoice in our circumstances, we can rejoice in the Lord under those circumstances. We can rest in His love and meditate upon His goodness. It brings strength to our soul.
Job was able to testify that his God is holy and just.
To be continued…