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October 4, 2021

Lament and Grace

J. R. Daniel Kirk   |   Read Job 23:1-9, 16-17

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Lectionary Week
October 4–10, 2021
Scripture Overview

Faithful people still have questions for God. Job wishes he could sit down with God and plead his case because he wants God to justify what has happened to him. The psalmist also feels abandoned by God and wonders why God is not coming to his aid. God can handle our questions. Job wanted an advocate, and Hebrews says that Jesus now fills that role for us. He is our great high priest and understands our sufferings, so we may boldly approach him for help. In Mark, Jesus deals with the challenge of money. It is a powerful force and can come between us and God if we cling to our resources instead of holding them loosely with thanksgiving for God’s provision.

Questions and Suggestions for Reflection

Read Job 23:1-9, 16-17. When have you, like Eliphaz, attributed your own suffering or that of others to wickedness on your part or on theirs? How often do you find yourself blaming others for the situations in which they find themselves?
Read Psalm 22:1-15. How could your prayer life be more honest and transparent? What feelings do you hold back?
Read Hebrews 4:12-16. When God shines the spotlight on your soul, what does God see?
Read Mark 10:17-31. How do you square your “wealthy” life with Jesus’ call to discipleship?

Respond by posting a prayer .

Job 23:1-9, 16-17

1 Job answered: 2 Today my complaint is again bitter; my strength is weighed down because of my groaning. 3 Oh, that I could know how to find him come to his dwelling place; 4 I would lay out my case before him, fill my mouth with arguments, 5 know the words with which he would answer, understand what he would say to me. 6 Would he contend with me through brute force? No, he would surely listen to me. 7 There those who do the right thing can argue with him; I could escape from my judge forever. 8 Look, I go east; he’s not there, west, and don’t discover him; 9 north in his activity, and I don’t grasp him; he turns south, and I don’t see. 16 God has weakened my mind; the Almighty has frightened me. 17 Still I’m not annihilated by darkness; he has hidden deep darkness from me.

Unless otherwise indicated, scripture quotations are from the Common English Bible. Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible. Used by permission.

Job is a faithful companion for us through life’s valleys because Job knows that life with God does not give us easy answers. Job knows that God is powerful over all things, and so he can complain to God about what he thinks God has allowed to happen. Job also...

Almighty God, display your justice so that all may see you and know you. Amen.


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