Have you ever felt that life could not get any worse? This is how Job felt. He cried out to God in anguish and searched for answers. Why has God done this to him? It appears God was behaving like a mortal and smiling on the plans of the wicked. It simply didn't make sense to Job. Why would God shape and form him, just to turn around and destroy him? Why would God give him life and show him kindness just to completely crush him? If Job was guilty, he would understand God's actions. But even if he was innocent, it didn't matter anymore. Job was already full of shame and affliction. Even if he could somehow raise his head above his circumstances, God would bring him low again.

In verse 18, Job wishes that he had never been born. If only God would give him a moment's rest before he died! Even in death, there was no hope for Job. Job describes death as a land of gloom and utter darkness. What Job needed was a hope that penetrated the darkness. He needed a hope that lifted him above his sufferings and gave him peace and joy in the midst of his troubles. He needed a hope that overcomes even the power of death. God did not create us just to crush us. He created us to have eternal life in Christ and dwell in his presence forever. We all need this hope.


Application: Lord Jesus, grant us hope that overcomes.
One Word: God shaped us for his glory