Have I lost it? Off my rocker? Flipped my lid? I’ve asked you to read 5 chapters in the Old Testament book of Job. Now that’s quite the job spending that much time in Job!

This book has been tough sledding for me. Why? Maybe it’s the poetry. Or those three friends, followed by some young whippersnapper, along with Job’s own thoughts, all adding to my confusion. Recently, I’ve slowed down my reading pace. Trying, as best I can, to soak in more of its meaning. Seems to be helping. A commentary or two, along with my study Bible, clears some of the fog and smoke. Some.

I know that Job is about the meaning of suffering. And God’s role in that. The place of well-meaning(?), though rather impatient friends. And that young man Elihu, who makes a lot of sense, almost grasping what’s really going on with Job and the tragedies that plague him. Almost.

We shake our heads wondering why God allows such messes to land in our laps. Not only us personally but this world and the way it is. Why do evil blokes seem to get away with murder, literally? And some kind folk suffer from morning ’til night? Why?

Sometimes I’ve wondered why the Lord has kept me around so long. After all, I know what I’m like inside. The thoughts I harbor. Too many words that escape from my big mouth. Maybe I’ve had longevity because it’s true that the good die young. Maybe.

How about you? An exception? Not so perfect, after all? I’ve known pastors who never, ever admit to any fault of their own. Always someone else’s nastiness. Never themselves. Habitually the victim. Not ‘my bad’ but ‘bad everybody else’. Not only pastors, but you might expect more humility from them. I do.

How about those 5 chapters in Job? Getting any closer to what’s at the bottom of this suffering business? Any ideas? Speak louder, my hearing ain’t what it used to be. New hearing aids just arrived this week and I’m still adjusting.

Here’s a smidgeon of what I gather from those chapters in Job. A capsule of four words. Nothing verbose or preachy. Rather easy to grasp and remember. Even for me. It’s this–‘I’m God. You’re not!’ Again– ‘I’m God. You’re not!’

Don’t imagine that the Almighty must give us every answer we want. Our demands are sometimes shelved as irrelevant. ‘None of your business’, so to speak. ‘That’s for me to know and …’

In other words, trust the Master. Father knows best. Jesus loves us, this we know. Linger awhile with those thoughts. I try but fail more often than I like to admit. I’d like to stop agonizing over what will not be revealed to me this side of heaven. To let God be God. To rest in His arms. Nurtured by His love and care. Knowing how good God is. It’s freeing to let the Lord be who He is and for me to be plain old me. You might want to try that on for size. Should fit like a glove. Should.

Four words–‘I’m God. You’re not!’ And remember, don’t forget! ‘I’m God. You’re not!’

Lord, help me to trust you with everything in my life. For Jesus’ sake. Amen.