Job 13: God, Can We Talk?

Can questioning God's wisdom be an act of faith? Join us on the Bible Breakdown podcast as we explore this fascinating idea through Job's bold confrontation with God in Chapter 13. In "Trusting God in Times of Suffering," we reflect on Job's intense desire for a direct conversation with God, his frustration with his friends' hollow advice, and his unwavering honesty in expressing his struggles. This episode encourages us to embrace our own vulnerabilities and approach God with the same raw openness, knowing He understands and loves us unconditionally.

Next, in "Seeking God's Help and Guidance," we shift our focus to the importance of directing others to God rather than attempting to solve their problems ourselves. Inspired by Job 1:21, we emphasize the necessity of turning to God for motivation and strength, rather than relying solely on our own understanding. We wrap up with a heartfelt prayer, expressing gratitude for God's constant presence and encouraging reliance on Him during difficult times. Tune in as we connect Job's experiences to our own faith journeys, fostering a deeper, more sincere communication with God no matter the season we are in.

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Chapters

• 0:00 Trusting God in Times of Suffering
• 7:54 Seeking God's Help and Guidance

Transcript

Speaker 0: 0:24

Well, everybody, welcome back to the Bible Breakdown podcast with your host, pastor Brandon, today, job, chapter 13,. And today's title is God, can we talk? God, can we talk just a little bit? I don't know if you've ever been like that before, but it's like you know what, god, I trust you, we're on this journey, but can we talk just a little bit? It reminds me of you.

Speaker 0: 0:46

Ever think about when Moses is leading the nation of Israel. They're going through 40 years in the wilderness. You ever wonder if somebody's like listen, I trust Moses and all and everything, but I wonder if he'd let us take a peek at that map, because we've been lost for about 38 years now. It's like, are you sure we're going in the right direction? And the reality is sometimes we ask God that God, you said you'd be with me and I'm really glad you're with me, but can you be with me in a better season than this, right? So we're going to see how Job deals with that and we're going to get into all that in just a moment. But, as always, if you like what we're doing here, make sure you are like sharing and subscribing to the YouTube channel and the podcast. Help us spread the news so that other people can read God's word with us every day and then gather with us at the Bible Breakdown Discussion on Facebook. They are doing such an amazing job over there, writing devotions every day for us to read, just to enrich our Bible reading, and helping us to understand God's word more, and the more we dig, the more we find, and they're doing such an amazing job. So make sure you're reading those every day, liking and sharing those posts and then let them know, comment on those posts, so we can just engage with God's Word together. We don't want to just be a consumer of content. We want to be a contributor and helping other people grow as well, and so if you have your Bibles, I want to open it with me to Job, chapter 13.

Speaker 0: 2:04

One of the things that I think is so very important is you know the overall theme is trusting God's wisdom in suffering, but I think it's important to realize it's okay to talk to God about what's bothering you. Here's the trick. He already knows anyway, and so it's not like you're going to surprise him or shock him by what's going on in your mind and in your life. He already knows, and what I love about that is he still loves you, he's not surprised. Let's be really honest. There are some things that if people knew that we thought those things, if we knew, if other people knew about the things that we go, you know what? I think I'm not going to say that right now or I'm not going to act that way, but if they knew it had come into our mind to begin with, boy, they'd get mad at us, they'd be offended. God knows all of it and he still loves you, he still wants you in his life, and so I think it's okay to say God, can we talk? And we're going to get this from Job today. And I'm curious. I want to know in the comments below on the YouTube video, I want you to send us some information in the show notes where you can ask a question. Let us know if you can identify with what Job is saying today. You ready.

Speaker 0: 3:14

Job, chapter 13, verse 1, says this look, I have seen all with my own eyes and heard it all with my own ears, and now I understand. I know as much as you do. You are no better than I am. I understand. I know as much as you do. You are no better than I am. As for me. I would speak directly to the Almighty. I want to argue my case with God himself. As for you, you smear me with lies. As physicians, you are worthless quacks. If only you could be silent. That's the wisest thing you could do. Listen to my charge and pay attention to my arguments. Basically, job's just saying if you guys just be quiet and just let me vent for a little while, that's the best thing you could do. You ever been there? Yeah, verse 7.

Speaker 0: 4:00

Are you defending God with lies? Do you make your dishonest arguments for his sake? Will you slant your testimony in his favor? Will you argue God's case for him? What will happen when he finds out what you're doing? Can you fool him as easily as you fool people? No, you will be in trouble with him if you secretly slant your testimony in his favor. Doesn't his majesty terrify you? Doesn't your fear of him overwhelm you? Your platitudes are as valuable as ashes and your defense is as fragile as a clay pot. Pause again. Basically, he's saying is you're using God and manipulating what he has to say in order to fit what you want to say? He's like don't do that. Don't be like that.

Speaker 0: 4:44

Verse 13,. Be silent now and leave me alone. Let me speak and I will face the consequences. Why should I put myself in mortal danger and take my life with my own hands? God might kill me, but I have no other hope. I am going to argue my case with him, but this is what will save me. I am not godless. If I were, I could not stand before him. Listen closely to what I'm about to say and hear me out. I have prepared my case. I will be proved innocent. Who can argue with me over this? If you can prove me wrong, I'll remain silent and die.

Speaker 0: 5:21

And then he says oh God, grant me these two things and then I'll be able to face you. Remove your heavy hand from me and don't terrify me with your awesome presence. Now summon me and I will answer, or let me speak to you and you reply. Tell me what have I done wrong? Show me my rebellion and my sin. Why do you turn away from me? Why do you treat me as your enemy? Would you terrify a leaf blown by the wind? Would you chase dry straw? You write bitter accusations against me and bring up all the sins of my youth. You put my feet in stocks and you examine all my paths. You trace all my footprints and I waste away like rotting wood, like a moth eaten coat.

Speaker 0: 6:10

So Job is first of all telling his friends hey, listen, can you shut up a while? He's like y'all got to stop all this smoke. All right, y'all just talking and you're even manipulating God's words to fit what you're trying to say. Stop that. And then he goes straight to God and he says God, we need to talk about this. I'm on a struggle bus Now. The bad thing is, is this Job chapter 13,? And there's quite a few more chapters to go in the book of Job. But in the process of this conversation, the good news is and what I want to leave with you today is God says sure, let's talk. He ends up talking to Job and expressing to Job so much more than what he expected and I don't want to spoil too much because it gets so much. It's amazing. Last few chapters of the book of Job are absolutely phenomenal for a thousand reasons and I can't wait to get there.

Speaker 0: 7:00

But the bottom line is is God's not offended by us saying to him God, I'm going to do what's necessary to get to you If it means I've got to pray longer, if it means I need to take a kind of an evening sabbatical and get away from everybody to get into your presence. I'm going to do whatever is necessary. I need to get into your presence and I need to get some peace about this. I need to get some direction about this in my life, because it doesn't make sense to me that you would injure me in this way To which the answer is he's not but because I know that you're not doing this simply to hurt me, that there's got to be a reason. I need to get into your presence and find out what's going on. And can I tell you sometimes that's one of the best things that you and I can do when we're in a season of difficulty is to get into God's presence and just say God, I'm not leaving here until I feel the peace of God. Come over me and watch what God will do.

Speaker 0: 7:54

Now, on the other side, if you're the one, you know that you're not going through a difficult time. You're trying to help people. One of the most difficult things you can do but it's helpful is to not try to fix someone's problems. I know it's. It's tempting, especially if you feel like you can see it right in front of them and even if they ask you, one of the hardest things to do sometimes is to not try to fix their problems but instead say, hey, I'm not sure, but why don't we go to God right now? Why don't we pray and ask the Lord right now? Because here's the thing how many times have you seen in your life and maybe somebody else's? You can have the facts, you can have like I know what to do, but without the ability to do it, without the motivation to take the next step, all the facts and all the figures in the world is not going to fix anything.

Speaker 0: 8:43

And that's what God does for us, is. He doesn't just give us answers, he gives us the will and power to take the next step. That's why we have to have God involved in our life. And so, if you're going through it, make sure that you're making time to get with the Lord and say God, I need your help, can we talk? And then, if you're the one who's walking with someone, don't try to give them the answers right away, don't try to speed it, even though I know the thought is good. Instead, encourage them to go to God. You go with them and let him give them the will and the power to take the next step.

Speaker 0: 9:17

Let's pray together, god. Thank you so much that, god, you have no intention of us going through difficult seasons alone. You've surrounded us with great people but, most importantly, you've given us access to you. I pray, god, that we will never take that for granted, but instead we will run to you. We'll say, god, can we talk? And to realize that you are waiting and eager to talk with us. I thank you in advance for what you're doing in everyone's life today. In Jesus' name, we pray Amen, amen. Well, god's word says in Job 1, verse 21,. I came naked from my mother's womb and I will be naked when I leave. The Lord gave me what I had and the Lord has taken it away. But praise the name of the Lord. God has given me everything I have, and so I'm going to praise him either way. I love you. I'll see you tomorrow for Job, chapter 14.