Job Doesn't Get It!

Justice, Law, History Serving a Just God Live in the light of God (Isaiah 2:5)  Job 35 1-3 The Message Elihu lit into Job again: "Does this kind of thing make any sense?     First, you say, 'I'm perfectly innocent before God.' And then you say, 'It doesn't make a bit of difference     whether I've sinned or not.' 4-8 "Well, I'm going to show you     that you don't know what you're talking about,     neither you nor your friends. Look up at the sky. Take a long hard look.     See those clouds towering above you? If you sin, what difference could that make to God?     No matter how much you sin, will it matter to him? Even if you're good, what would God get out of that?     Do you think he's dependent on your accomplishments? The only ones who care whether you're good or bad     are your family, friends, and neighbors.     God's not dependent on your behavior. 9-15 "When times get bad, people cry out for help.     They cry for relief from being kicked around, But never give God a thought when things go well,     when God puts spontaneous songs in their hearts, When God sets out the entire creation as a science classroom,     using birds and beasts to teach wisdom. People are arrogantly indifferent to God—     until, of course, they're in trouble,     and then God is indifferent to them. There's nothing behind such prayers except panic;     the Almighty pays them no mind. So why would he notice you     just because you say you're tired of waiting to be heard, Or waiting for him to get good and angry     and do something about the world's problems? 16 "Job, you talk sheer nonsense—     nonstop nonsense!" For Reflection Job is every man. He wants to haul God into court and press charges against God because Job thinks he is sinless and God is unjustly punishing him. Job declares that it doesn't pay to please God. Job obeyed all the rules. But just doing what is expected is not enough. Job refuses to live on God's terms. When pushed to the wall and called to account for challenging God, Job declares that it doesn't make any difference if he has sinned or not. He acts as though God is dependent on his accomplishments.  Pray Pray and let the Holy Spirit guide your life. Pray and take a close look at your life. Are you satisfied with your faith practice if you can count the good things you have done? Are you praying for God to get angry enough to do something about the world's problems, or are you praying to be courageous enough to be God's confederate in God's desire to establish God's kingdom on earth? Pray earnestly for the wisdom to become a partner in establishing God's will for justice, peace, and joy. Forward to a friend