Most often when a Scripture “speaks to me”, if it’s not of God’s greatness or goodness, it’s a word to me of caution or correction. But this morning, as I continue to hover over God’s One-on-one with Job, I’m encouraged. Seems to me that, though there has been much to question, lament, and perhaps even complain about over these past couple of years, for me (and for those in my circle) there hasn’t been evidence of finding fault with the Divine. To God be the glory!

And the LORD said to Job: “Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty? He who argues with God, let him answer it.”

(Job 40:1-2 ESV)

Whoever came up with “sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me” never had the God of creation call Him a “faultfinder.” Ouch!

Job’s been diatribing (not really a verb) before the Almighty for 30+ chapters, refusing to stand down until he gets an audience with the Creator so the Creator can explain Himself and let Job in on what’s goin’ on. Though Job began his “season” of suffering well — blessing the LORD who gives and takes away (1:21), and ready to receive evil from God as well as good (2:10) — as time goes on, as the suffering continues, as the why’s of the situation don’t become any clearer, Job crosses a line. So much so that God adds “faultfinder” to the list of attributes He ascribes to Job:

“Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil . . . but has also become a faultfinder contending with the Almighty?”

Like I said, Ouch!

Not judging Job. No way. I get it. There but for the grace of God go I.

But also not judging me. Through this extended season of pandemic+ (pandemic plus all the hard stuff that doing life can bring), though at times I may have been overwhelmed by circumstances, whined about “why me?” (repent), and have too often been short with others (repent), I honestly don’t think I’ve been tempted to find fault with God. Neither have the folks who are near to me. If anything, we’ve leaned into His “ways above our ways”, and “His thoughts above our thoughts” more than ever before (Isa. 55:8-9).

Never have we forgotten that God is sovereign. Never have we doubted that God is good. Never have we not believed (though not sure how) that God determines / permits all things, even the pandemic+ things, for our good and His glory. By God’s grace, while there have been many things to repent of during this season, faultfinding isn’t one of them. Thank you, Lord.

Lessons learned from reading in Job in the past seem to have born some fruit in the present. Availing ourselves, when times are good, of what God has revealed of Himself, not only promotes right belief but prepares for right behavior.

It’ll never be said of this guy that he is blameless and upright (except in Christ), or that he always feared God as he should and never was tripped up with evil. But a faultfinder? Nope!

Only by God’s grace. Only for God’s glory.