When Not Even Death Is Feared

“Oh that you would hide me in the grave, that you would conceal me until your wrath is past, that you would appoint me a set time,  and remember me!  Job 14: 13.

Heavenly Father, We thank You for Your goodness. We ask You to become our teacher in this hour, as we deal with one of life’s hard questions; for Christ’s sake. Amen.

Our text for today sounds like a death wish, doesn’t it? I believe that it takes an experience above, and beyond, the ordinary, to make us actually wish for death. Usually, human beings will hold on to life with everything they have, to the very end. So to wish for death, may be an indication that the pain we are experiencing is very great.

Our text for today is a part of Job’s response to his sufferings. Job seems to believe that God is angry with him. All that has befallen him, he believes, is an indication that God’s wrath is being  poured  out on him. What is noteworthy, is that even though he believes that God is punishing him, he appeals to God, to hide him, until His anger is past.

His lament represents a change in attitude on Job’s part. At the beginning of his suffering, he seemed resigned to his tragedy, ” ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD” (Job 1: 21). Between that time and now, what could have made the difference?

I believe that what Job is experiencing is something I describe as, “emotional burn-out.” This happens when we suffer one hardship after another; without any time in-between to regain our strength. This will wear you out. If you are not careful, it will leave you, emotionally, “drained.” Job has suffered more than most human beings will have to suffer in their lifetime. Besides that, he is misunderstood. His friends see his suffering as the result of his wrong doing.

Whenever you are tempted in this way,  you may feel as if God is at a distance. Sometimes you may be tempted to ask, “God, are You there?”  Some experiences are so unbearable that not even death is feared! Whenever you feel this way, like Job, look to God for Him to protect you, and deliver you!