Now, Job addresses his words purely to God. This chapter is his questioning prayer from the bottom of his heart. He asks why human life seems just to be a long, hard service with no relief (1-3). Because of his broken health, Job cannot even sleep peacefully at night (4, 13-14).

Job wonders why God needs to make such a big deal out of his life. He asks, "Why can't God just leave me alone for a while?" (16-19) We may ask the same question at times when God's calling seems too much for us to bear. Being a chosen people is both a cross and our greatest blessing.

Finally, Job comes to the topic of his sins. He doesn't claim he never sinned; he knows he is a sinner. But he asks why God would seemingly rather punish him than forgive his sins (20-21). Job doesn't know that God freely forgives all sins in Jesus, but in his struggle, he has come near to the gospel truth-what we need above all is forgiveness of our sins. Thank God that forgiveness is ours in Jesus!


Application: Father, thank you for caring about me, even when I want to be left alone. I trust you will never give me more than I can bear. Thank you for Jesus' forgiveness.
One Word: God forgives our sins.