September 5, 2022 -- Job 5:7 -- The Suffering Arbiter

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

but man is born to trouble
as the sparks fly upward.
Job 5:7 ESV

Perhaps this brief proverb from the Book of Job is familiar to you? Those who love the movie Anne of Green Gables might recognize this verse because it is quoted there. Just think of roaring campfires, the deep night pierced by the flames which lick up the wood and as the wood is devoured it breaks before the blazing tongues of fire, sending sparks jumping upwards and dancing in the night air. It is beautiful to see.

Why is man born to trouble and suffering? It is Job’s question as he wrestles with God and strives against his friends whose words do not bring him comfort. So, Job longs for a mediator between himself and God. “There is no arbiter between us, who might lay his hand on us both” (Job 9:33). It is our suffering that drives us into the arms of Jesus Christ—the arbiter between God and man. It is suffering that shows us the ugliness of our sins and the wrong-headedness of our old nature. It is suffering, the path which Jesus endured, which unites us with Christ—for He suffered more than we ever could or will—and His suffering, death and resurrection made us right with God.

When I see sparks fly upward, I am reminded of my desire to fly up to God. But I also recognize how easily my own passion dies out. When I see sparks fly upward, I am reminded that Christ was raised up and His fiery passion never burned out, He endured great agony on the cross so that He might lay a hand on us and a hand on His Father and present us to the Father as blameless and pure. Jesus’ sacrifice has done this for us. Hallelujah, what a Savior!

Father in heaven, hallowed be Your Name! Mighty LORD of Splendor, You, Who alone lives in unapproachable light, blessed are You--for You have ignited in Your people an unstoppable fire stoked by Your Spirit so that our lives are ablaze with the glory of Jesus Christ. When the suffering comes, direct us, God of all Help and Strength, to Jesus, in Whom there is all help. When suffering comes, Faithful Father, send Your Spirit so that we, Your people, know the hand of the Arbiter, Who lays His hand on You and on us--Jesus, Who keeps us in Your reconciling grace and mercy. Amen.

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