[Job declared,] “Therefore I will not keep silent; I will speak out in the anguish of my spirit, I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.”
Thoughts on Today’s Verse…
We sometimes think of God as too fragile, distant, or brooding to speak honestly with him about our dilemmas. Others want to never appear to doubt, be angry, or be disappointed with God, thinking it might appear irreverent. Job, however, was not so shy. He did not live in denial about his anguish, pain, and disappointment with God. He spoke honestly out of life that was honorable and reverent before his great God (Job 1:1). Job is our great reminder that God prefers us to maintain our relationship with him, even if it is stormy and we are weary and confused. No matter where you are in your struggles, be honest with God. Speak openly with him about your emotions. Be real about the current chapter of your life, acknowledging that pain and disappointment overwhelm you. Let him minister to your truest hurts, deepest frustrations, and greatest fears. The Psalms offer many words of honest complaint and confusion to God. Job is honest about his suffering and life’s unfairness. So, you can be honest with God. You can refuse to use trite, sanitized, and cliched words that are untrue to your heart. The Holy Spirit intercedes to help clean up your words and speak the unspeakable emotions of your heart (Romans 8:26-27). Don’t be silent; speak out of the anguish of your spirit and the bitterness of your soul to your Father, who hears and cares how you feel.
My Prayer…
Abba Father, thank you for listening to my words and my heart. Thank you for providing the Holy Spirit and my Savior, Jesus, as my intercessors before your throne. Thank you for wanting me in your presence even when my heart is full of conflict, anger, and pain. Thank you for loving me through my brokenness and strife. Most of all, thank you for your promise to deliver me through this time of agony and bring me home to you to share in your glory. In Jesus’ name, I yearn to experience your deliverance. Amen.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.