What’s Fair?

It isn’t fair! I don’t deserve this! How often we hear that complaint.

Job’s physical suffering was certainly severe enough to elicit this cry. But there’s more. His sufferings terrify him because if God says he’s guilty, he knows there’s nothing he can do.

Job doesn’t ask for restored health or possessions. All he wants is to be able to stand before God as an upright man of integrity. If he can’t, life is not worth living. He’s fighting for vindication, not knowing that God has already named him blameless.

He is angry at the injustice of being falsely accused by his friends, plus the injustice of not being able to defend himself because he doesn’t even know what he is guilty of. He wants to call God into a courtroom to ask what the charges are against him. Then he would have a chance of defending himself.

But God’s power frightens him. As a mere mortal, he knows he can’t challenge God in court. So then he wishes for a mediator - someone to arbitrate between them.

Once again, we see a foreshadowing of Jesus - the one sent by God to be that mediator.

It’s true that Job didn’t deserve his suffering. But then he didn’t deserve to have a relationship with God either. Who does? Not me. Not you.

Jesus didn’t deserve to suffer either but he chose to - for me, for you. And because he did, we get what we don’t deserve. Jesus took away the need for us to defend ourselves in God’s court of justice by declaring us forgiven and purified, making it possible for us to see God.

“Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God” (Matthew 5:8).

It’s definitely not “fair“- it’s pure grace.

Respond in Prayer

Dear Lord, how grateful I am that, because of Jesus, I do not have to fear your guilty verdict. When I’m tempted to complain about something I don’t think I deserve, help me to remember that you give me what I really don’t deserve - your amazing love and mercy. Amen.

Lynn Smith