SCRIPTURE:
14 Yet they say to God, ‘Leave us alone! We have no desire to know your ways. 15 Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him? What would we gain by praying to him?’ 16 But their prosperity is not in their own hands, so I stand aloof from the plans of the wicked.
Job 21:14-16
OBSERVATION:
Do you think you don’t need God? Have you ever questioned the value of following Him? Do you wonder if it’s even worth praying to Him? If so, then think again.
In his titular book, Job endures great suffering––not just because of Satan, but also because of his friends. Rather than encourage or empathize with him, Job’s friends Eliphaz, Zophar, and Bildad give him unbiblical advice, continuing to repeat their incorrect arguments about God and Job’s situation over him. In this passage, Job refutes their arguments, using their words to speak the real truth over them.
In one of his rebuttals, Job talks about those who are wicked and unrighteous. He says “they say to God, ‘Leave us alone! We have no desire to know your ways. Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him? What would we gain by praying to him?’” (Job 21:14-15) These people desire for God to leave them alone, assume that serving God is a bad thing, and doubt that there is not much to be gained from prayer. However, it is because they do not realize that “their prosperity is not in their own hands” (Job 21:16). If only they knew the Truth, then they would realize how much that God is not a tyrant to be avoided; He is a Father to be embraced.
In this case, Job points out that the wicked believe three fallacies about God. However, Scripture shows that their opinions could not be farther from the truth.
FALLACY #1: A life with God is a life constrained.
TRUTH #1: A life with God is a life of freedom.
SCRIPTURE: John 8:34-36 NIV
“34 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35 Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
EXPLANATION:
God does not desire to control us; He desires to set us free. He asks us to obey Him not because He desires to dominate us, but because His ways are better than ours. God can only be good, and because His ways are better, His so called “rules” are not laws meant to restrict us, but rather, keys meant to empower us to unlock His freedom in our lives.
FALLACY #2: Serving God is a penalty.
TRUTH #2: Serving God is a privilege.
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 8:4 NIV
“What is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?”
EXPLANATION:
Imagine you were a leader of a team. Would you choose those whom you believe in or those you don’t believe in? You’d choose those you believe in to serve on your team, right? In the same way it would be a privilege for those you choose to be on your team, it is a privilege for you to be on God’s team. Everything good in this world comes from God, and He chooses you, in spite of your failures and your mistakes, to be on His team to make a difference in this world. Serving God is not a penalty to be dreaded; it is a privilege to be desired.
FALLACY #3: Prayer is powerless.
TRUTH #3: Prayer is powerful.
SCRIPTURE: 2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
EXPLANATION:
Prayer changes things. When we pray, God not only hears us; He moves on our behalf, working for our good. And more importantly, prayer changes our hearts in the process. Prayer reminds us of the hope we have in Christ, fills us with His peace that surpasses all understanding, and helps us fix our eyes on our Savior. Prayer is not simply speaking words into the ether; it is connecting and conversing with an almighty God who hears us, knows us, and desires what’s best for us.
APPLICATION:
People don’t dislike God; they dislike who they think God is. If they knew who God really was, they would fall in love with Him, just like you have. Those in need of God don’t need a debate; they need the truth shared with them in love––and perhaps God is calling you to be His spokesperson.
Yes, you might not know every scripture, but you know stories of God’s faithfulness. Sure, you may not know the Old or New Testaments, but you know your testimony. You may not have graduated from Bible school, but you don’t need a theology degree to love people well. For as Scripture demonstrates, the light and truth of God’s Word will always defend itself. And just like Job did with his friends, God uses people willing to speak His Truth in love to make a difference in this world.
In this world, there are many people who think they don’t need God. But do they need God? Yes. Absolutely. But you know what else they need? They need someone who is willing to patiently listen to them, boldly love them, and compassionately tell them the Truth in a way they can understand. They need you to step up and share what God has done in your life with them. Don’t worry––you’re not the savior. God is the Savior. He’s the one who’s going to be doing the saving. He just needs a messenger to share the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Like Job, don’t stay silent. Be His messenger. Speak God’s truth in love. And when you do, watch and see what God will do through you as He changes the hearts of those around you through His message that you share.
PRAYER:
God,
Thank You for calling me to be Your messenger. This world desperately needs you, and there are many people in need of Your love. Today, I answer Your call. Give me vision to see those upon whom you are working, the courage to speak your truth clearly, and a heart to love them like You do. I love You, Lord. Thank You for the privilege of getting to share Your love with those You have placed around me.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
