YGT: Triple-A for the Broken

The Revised Common Lectionary Old Testament text for this past Sunday was Job 23. It described Job’s honest feelings with God after he’d lost his livelihood, his family has died, and his friends had turned on him. Job was brutally honest with God, sharing his frustrations and pain. When Job was at his lowest point, when he was completely broken in spirit, he expressed three things:



1.   Anger... “Today also my complaint is bitter; his hand is heavy despite my groaning." (v.2)

Job told God that he was bitter and confessed that he was complaining.  He didn't act as if he felt ok with how God was treating him.  He was open enough to say he was angry.


2.   Abandonment... “If I go forward, he is not there; or backward, I cannot perceive him; on the left he hides, and I cannot behold him; I turn to the right, but I cannot see him." (v.8-9)

Job continued that everywhere he turned, it felt like God wasn't there.  God, who claims to be omnipresent*, is nowhere to be found.  Job doesn't sugarcoat this reality, but acknowledges it openly - God, I don't sense You anywhere.

3.   Assurance..."But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I shall come out like gold." (v.10)

Job assured himself that God was still in control and that he would be better because of his testing.  Wow, Job found assurance in God even during his brokenness.  Job doesn't ignore his emotions, but he doesn't let them overrule his belief in God.  

If this is your story today and you find yourself broken, learn from Job.  We don't have to be politically correct with God.  That wasn't Job's pattern and it shouldn't be ours.  God is big enough to handle how we feel.  God can handle the truth.  

We should also learn to find our place of assurance, to remember that after this test we will come out as pure gold.   Admittedly, this is the tough part.  There's no easy way to do this.  But we must hold onto a seed of faith (a mustard seed even) that reminds us that God is somehow still in control of it all.  As we travel this earthly journey, God can handle and heal our brokenness.

Lord, we trust You, but that doesn't mean we always understand You.  Sometimes, we don't know what to trust.  You say You love us, but You allow us to hurt, to cry, to die.  How can this be?  Our anger is kindled when we see innocent people suffer and crooked people prosper.  Where are you in this?  I don't know, but I believe You're around.  You're somewhere and everywhere; watching, welcoming, witnessing, and waiting for us.  Please help our faith, please help our unbelief, please assure the broken.  In Christ's name, Amen.

Contrite,

j.a.g.

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*Romans 8:38-39 is an interesting passage to read alongside these verses

On Bold Prayers

At first glance, bold prayer can seem like a paradox. Boldness suggests pride, an arrogant inability to back down. Conversely, prayer reminds us of a submitted, humble nature. Yet, the two words speak of an assured faith in God. Removed from the brash, disrespectful, selfish connotations of boldness, there is a root of virtue in this word. Deep down at it’s core, boldness is born of an assurance that is neither good nor bad, simply true. Boldness is developed because of a sincere belief on foundational truths. In short, boldness comes from confidence. Prayer too, can be misunderstood. It is not a timid, distant dialogue with God. At it’s root, it is a naked, open conversation with God. The more honest, the better. Combined, bold prayers, are times of confident honesty.

We can learn from David in Psalm 143 of the Bible (listed below) about this principle. David, battered from his earthly existence, calls on God in a sincere and sure voice. This psalm exposes David’s heart, his boldness, and his example to us. He declares:


I need to be heard. Hear me (v. 7) - Can You make sure my prayers reach You and reach others? Can You promise they won’t come back unanswered? Can You at least agree to hear me when I call You?

I need to be directed. Cause me (v. 8) - Can You make sure I am headed in the right direction? Can You promise I won’t go the wrong way? Can You at least agree to lead if I let you?

I need to be rescued. Deliver me (v. 9) - Can You make sure I am delivered from my sins, my enemies, and myself? Can You promise to provide a way of escape? Can You at least agree to save my soul if You don’t save my body?

I need to be instructed. Teach me (v. 10) - Can You make sure I know what is necessary to serve You? Can You promise to give me teachers and lessons for my life? Can You at least agree to provide a textbook?

I need to be strengthened. Quicken me (v. 11) - Can you make sure I am strong enough to live for you? Can you promise to sustain me? Can you at least agree to be strong when I am weak?


While blunt and bare, David’s communication with God came from his relationship with Him. This is revealed in verse 12 - “...for I am your servant”. The reason he was able to approach God boldly was because he had already submitted his life and his spirit to God. His position, as a servant, gave him access to God and to honest and direct conversation. If you desire to approach God boldly, with candor and free of inhibition, submit to Him first. Bold prayer requires a servant’s heart.


I pray this changes how we pray. Our petitions to God should not be powerless pleas, but passionate professions of our faith in Him. I believe God cups His hand to His ear when humble hearts pray. Desire to pray with the heart of a servant. One who has a relationship that is built on confidence and truth. One who can pray BOLDLY.



Seeking,

- j.a.g.




Psalm 143
1Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness.
2And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.
3For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground; he hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead.
4Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate.
5I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.
6I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah.
7Hear me speedily, O LORD: my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit.
8Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.
9Deliver me, O LORD, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me.
10Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.
11Quicken me, O LORD, for thy name's sake: for thy righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble.
12And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I am thy servant.