"Let him who accuses God answer Him ..."

Day #138:  Daily Bible Reading Plan - May 15th

Scripture Reading:  Job 39 - 40 ...

Did God really say that to Job?  Did God really say to Job, "Let him who accuses God answer Him"? Did God really say - not once, but twice, "Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you will answer Me"? (38:2, 40:7).  Yes!  He did.  But why?  Because Job, like many people today, accused God of acting unjustly.  This was not where Job had begun, but it was where he ended up after the horrible counsel of his friends, which made Job try to defend himself by accusing GOD!!  But as young Elihu said, "There is more to be said in God's behalf" (36:2).

God is compassionate, loving, kind, gracious and merciful.  He is PATIENT with those who cry out to Him for help in the midst of suffering and trials.  He lifts up those who are distressed, He encourages the faint of heart and strengthens the weak.  God is our "ever-present help in times of trouble" (Psalm 46:1).  God NEVER does anything wrong!  When Abraham was asking God if he would spare Sodom if there were fifty righteous people, he declared, "Far be it from you to do such a thing - to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous and the wicked alike.  Far be it from you!  Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?" (Genesis 18:24-25).

The answer to that question is, "YES!" And anyone who knows God ... anyone who knows the one true God who reveals Himself in His Word, in His Son Jesus Christ and throughout the centuries ... anyone who KNOWS God should not ever question God's justice or accuse Him of doing wrong.  Such questioning is not only incapable of bringing any comfort, but is an affront to God's character!  God continues His questioning of Job in Chapter 39 by pointing out His sovereign rule over all the creatures He has made.  After this barrage of questions in Chapters 38-39, Job answers God's challenge with these words, "I am unworthy - how can I reply to you?  I put my hand over my mouth.  I spoke once, but I have no answer - twice, but I will say no more" (40:4-5).  More people should swear silence and keep their accusations to themselves.

The words, "I'm not worthy" have become a cliche used to suggest a false humility.  People don't really think they are unworthy.  Some people may have a low self-image and say they don't deserve anything good, but it is usually because they think they have failed in some way or because they feel guilty, not because they believe they are unworthy.  Most people declare that they DESERVE better.  When people are going through trials and suffering, they are often told they don't deserve such hardships.  People really believe that most people have somehow earned a "good" life without trials.  It is that mistaken idea that actually causes people to resist the Gospel and leads to God's judgment.  If you think you are worthy, why do you need a Savior?

God is not being mean to Job, but asks him a very logical question:  "Would you discredit my justice?  Would you condemn ME to justify YOURSELF?" (40:8).  The majority of humanity rejects the true Gospel because it declares every human being guilty before God and worthy of His judgment.  Furthermore,  many in the church today have fallen for a counterfeit gospel that virtually ignores God's holiness and justice and assures people that God is LOVE ... therefore, ALL people (or at least almost all people) will go to heaven based on their being "good enough" and God being a God of love and grace.  People actually believe they are worthy!

GOD says that ALL people are unworthy and that ONLY by His grace can anyone be saved.  God gave His SON so that those who believe would be saved and those who believe are those whom God has chosen, those who are born again by His Spirit, those who place their faith in Christ alone, knowing that they have been saved by GRACE alone ... and the result is that GOD receives the glory.  To those who accuse God of wrongdoing, Paul answers:  "Is God unjust?  Not at all! ... Who are you, O man, to talk back to God?" (Romans 9:14, 20).

You and I need to understand, to really grasp the truth that God is the ONLY one who IS just!!  You aren't and I am not.  We have sinned and we live in a fallen world where the consequences of our sin and that of sinful humanity bring suffering, pain and death.  God has provided the cure in His Son Jesus Christ, and now you must humble yourself, confess your unworthiness and come to the Father through faith in Jesus, admitting that you have nothing to offer to earn anything, let alone God's forgiveness and eternal life in His presence.  The good news, the great news, the GOSPEL is that the gift of God is eternal life through faith in Jesus!!

Confess your unworthiness and place your trust in Jesus today!  HE is just and He is worthy of our praise!!

"Father, Jesus said that the truth would set us free, and in hearing, understanding and accepting the truth about ourselves and about YOU we find freedom from the need to try to justify ourselves when we know we are guilty.  Instead, we can embrace Your grace and find joy in forgiveness.  Thank You, Father, for Your sovereign grace to me and all who believe.  Without You I am nothing.  I am humbled by Your love and give YOU all my praise!  In Jesus' name, Amen"