For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm 100:5. 

Reading this chapter, Job 20, I can’t help but wonder at the disconnect Job must have felt between his life before and his life now, in hearing the words of his friends. Remember God’s words about Job? Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. 1:8, 2:3. With everything that has happened to his life and his own body, will Job remember or will the memory be distorted and reshaped? Zophar speaks. It’s curious he says: Surely you know how it has been from of old, ever since mankind was placed on the earth…v. 4. ”Understanding” from old – that the mirth of the wicked is brief…Surely he will have no respite from his craving; he cannot save himself by his treasure…The heavens will expose his guilt; the earth will rise up against him…Such is the fate God allots the wicked, the heritage appointed for them by God…v. 5, 20, 27, 29. Job’s friends are saying these things because they are working from an assumption of old that is here today…if bad things happen to you it is because you are evil…you deserve everything you get…or the expression there is a special place in hell reserved for that person. We want “evil” people to suffer. They bring so much suffering to others. Where do the scales balance? 

Can we not see that we are all of us living in the darkness of this world no matter how bright the sky is outside? Victims living that reality know it all too well. Victims of war, child prostitution, drug addiction, addiction to lies, addiction to hate and judging, abuse physically and emotionally. 

Then Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me. I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day. For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken. I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.” John 12:44-50. 

Can we remember that it is our Creator God – Father, Son, Spirit – who created us, loves us and died for us. He provides the way for us out of the darkness of this world of Sin so that we can grow into the truth of His love for us that is good. As we remember all that God has done since the beginning of all that we are – we can begin to trust that He knows what is needed and know that He will provide. We can trust His timing because God is working always for you and me and it is good. Thank You, Lord, for so great a love. We can’t see but You can. Help us remember and choose Life eternal with You.