Topic: Can You Blame God? [DCLM Daily Manna 18 December 2020 Devotional by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi]
Text: Job 34:18-30 (KJV)
18 Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? and to princes, Ye are ungodly?
19 How much less to him that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? for they all are the work of his hands.
20 In a moment shall they die, and the people shall be troubled at midnight, and pass away: and the mighty shall be taken away without hand.
21 For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings.
22 There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.
23 For he will not lay upon man more than right; that he should enter into judgment with God.
24 He shall break in pieces mighty men without number, and set others in their stead.
25 Therefore he knoweth their works, and he overturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed.
26 He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others;
27 Because they turned back from him, and would not consider any of his ways:
28 So that they cause the cry of the poor to come unto him, and he heareth the cry of the afflicted.
29 When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble? and when he hideth his face, who then can behold him? whether it be done against a nation, or against a man only:
30 That the hypocrite reign not, lest the people be ensnared.
Key Verse: “How much less to him that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? for they all are the work of his hands.” – (Job 34:19)
Sometimes, what we consider well intentioned are unhelpful to people facing challenges. This was the failings of Job’s friends. They took turns to speak to him. They were touched with his condition but they misdiagnosed the source of his woes.
From the text, Elihu, a companion of Job, did not actually understand the rationale behind Job’s suffering. Although he did not understand the reason for Job’s predicament, he aptly identified God’s character and nature. Job’s life and righteousness are exemplified in the first two chapters of the book of Job. While chapter one exemplifies his righteousness and way of life, chapter two dwells specifically on the personality behind his sufferings. Elihu describes God as the right Judge in whom no evil or iniquity can be found. He is holy, just and perfect.Elihu sees God almighty as able to deal with anyone, however strong or powerful he may be. God does not need the help of anybody to accomplish His purpose on earth. He also sees God as the Omniscient who knows the secret of any man, the purpose of his heart and the intent of his thought. His eyes are upon the ways of man and no thought could be hidden from Him.
Two lessons are evident in Elihu’s thought. First, he misunderstood some salient things about Job’s predicament. As believers, we may not understand the challenges our fellow brethren may be facing. So, we should not condemn or judge them as Elihu did. Our duty is to pray for them. Second, God is a just and righteous Judge. He can never ascribe good for evil or evil for good. In any situation, we should not question or blame Him for our predicament. But we are to pray and thank Him irrespective of our condition in this present world.
Thought For The Day: Blame doesn’t help, prayer does.
The Bible In One Year: Haggai 1-2
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
