Trial

 But I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to argue my case with God.

Job 13:3 ESV


I think if we're honest, most of us wouldn't have the guts to say what Job says here. Most of us probably know deep down that if we had an encounter with the Almighty, we wouldn't come out of it too well, humanly speaking. I know for me as a sinner, to meet the Holy One is an intimidating prospect. 


Job however had great integrity. He was confident that he could survive an encounter with the Sovereign Lord of glory unscathed. His hope however was not in himself, but in the Lord Himself. He acknowledged the sins of his youth, and although I'm sure he wasn't perfect at this stage, he didn't deserve the suffering he was going through. 


When we have 'Job's comforters', unhelpful friends, and the devil himself accusing us of wrong when we know we have integrity, we may well with Job plead an audience with the King of kings. God is just, a terror to the unjust, and a consolation to the just. Job felt he was on trial, with his friends accusing him of deserving his suffering. 


In the book of Job, satan tries to put God on trial, accusing him of favoritism towards the rich family man Job. But God turns the tables and puts his accusers on trial at the end of the book, including Job, who repents of his indignant, rather obstinate attitude. 


'Sovereign Lord, please forgive us of our wrong attitudes towards You. Please acquit us when we stand trial before You on the Day of Judgement. In Jesus our Saviour's name, amen'

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