“Let me alone, that I may take comfort a little.” (v.20)
From chapter 9 we learned that Job felt that it was impossible for a man to argue with God, yet,
because there was no mediator, he made his appeal to God anyway. Turning from his
answer to Bildad, he poured out his agony in the presence of the Most High.
After complaining of his sufferings, attributing them all to the action of God
and asking if God really delighted in what He was doing, or if His vision was
faulty, Job bluntly asked God to let him alone, that he might have a respite
from suffering before he died. But God did not answer.
This tells us that sometimes the answer to our honest prayers or
pleas is no answer at all. It is not the God does not desire to grant our
request, but sometimes our requests are not in line with His plan or purpose.
His silence does not mean we are not heard, but that we need to continue to
ask. Just as earthly fathers sometimes tell their children “not now” or
“someday”, so our heavenly Father does not grant nor respond to all our
requests immediately – It may take time.
Therefore, do not be discouraged in well doing. Keep on asking,
keep on praying. And in due time, you will receive an answer.
The Truth: "The Persistent Widow"
Then He
spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, saying:
“There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. Now
there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for
me from my adversary.’ And he would not for a while; but afterward he said
within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, yet because this
widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary
me.’” Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. And shall God not
avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long
with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the
Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:1-8)
