A Wave of Depression
Job 7
Have you ever been depressed? How about someone that was really depressed? Reading this chapter allows me to see the weight of sorrow Job was feeling. Remember Job lost his possessions, livestock, family, and now his health was falling apart.
His friends came to try to comfort him but in ch. 4 and 5 we see his first friend Eliphaz basically tell him that God is doing this because there must have been some sin or problem he did against God to deserve this sorrow. Job responds with the fact that can we not receive unmerited suffering too as well as unmerited grace.
Sorrow (Job complains to his friends 1-11)
Job continues sharing to his friends that there is no hope for him because his sorrow is so great. In verse 3 we see the extinct of this as it says, “I am allotted months of emptiness, and nights of misery are apportioned to me. He is in a place that some people reach. They do not have hope and the weight of their sorrow is grand. Have you ever met someone in this place? The Bible says that Job never cursed God but he sure is complaining to him. This gives me comfort because I am a complainer and I know I have no reason to complain, not like Job anyway; but at least I know God does listen to my complaints.
Job says some truth in this chapter, verse 7 he says, “Remember that my life is a breath.” Life is so short. It is but a vapor. Before you know it, you are married man with a baby.
Sorrow Continued (Job complains to God 12-21)
In verse 12, Job asks God if he is some sea monster because the suffering is so great, it could not be for a human. We see that Job is not even comforted by sleep because he has bad dreams and does not have peace in his dreams. As Job complains to God he does ask God why is this happening? “What wrong did I do? Did I sin against you?” He also asks, “Why do you not take away my iniquity?” These questions I feel are very relevant as many people wonder why is this bad stuff happening to me. Why is God allowing this to go on?
The answer is because of sin. Sin happens and because of sin, there is death and disease. Some people wonder why there has to be sin, but remember sin is because of Adam and Eve. Sin was their fault and is passed down to us as we are sinners.
The Hope of Today and for Job
Matthew 11:28-30~ Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Jesus spoke these words and my question for you is are you heavy laden? There are many strains in life today and also in our given economic state. What is burdening you? What weighs on you where you have no hope. The hope we have is in Jesus Christ. He did the work already and he conquered death and sin on the cross as he rose from the dead. My hope lies with him and the sorrow that I may face I know one day will be replaced with joy. Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything but in everything with prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. I know that I will have that peace that surpasses this world in logic during those tough, weighty, sorrowful times. Turn to him, Jesus, who gives rest and peace to our souls and minds.
