The words are a cry to God. The devil was instrumental in Job’s trials, but Job rightly discerned that they were ultimately from God. After losing his possessions and his children, he said, “The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away” (Job 1:21); and after further losing his health, he said to his wife, “Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” (Job 2:10). As Job, it is natural for children of God to recognize His hand in every circumstance of life. But that knowledge does not take away the sting of affliction, and even the most righteous of God’s people—yes, especially they—will cry out to Him in their trials. They will pour out their hearts to Him as surely as they breathe. They will seek to have an audience with the One who is the architect of their affairs. They must go to Him, for there is no other to whom they can go. Job did not cry out to man to relieve him of his troubles. In his afflictions, he cried out to God, the One who was ruling over them all. Let us also cry to Him in the hour of trial (Ps 77:1).

The words are a plea for mercy. Trials make the pure in heart even more aware of their sin and unworthiness before God. They make them feel what they know—that He has the right to condemn and if He should mark iniquities, none could stand. Can any man make a case against the King of Kings? Can any man win the argument? As Job said, “If one wished to contend with Him, He could not answer Him one time out of a thousand” (Job 9:3). Does any man, then, dare to question His right to dispense as He wills, or grumble against His doings? Who can deliver from the Judge of all the earth? Job trembled at the thought: “He is unique, and who can make Him change? And whatever His soul desires, that He does. For He performs what is appointed for me, and many such things are with Him. Therefore I am terrified at His presence; when I consider this, I am afraid of Him” (Job 23:13-15). Why would any man dare to accuse the Almighty? Does a guilty man go into the courtroom to make demands of the judge? Does he not rather seek his mercy? And is it not expedient to plead to God for mercy? He always has a case against us were He to present the facts. Therefore, any words that we speak to the Lord in our afflictions must be seasoned with a plea for His mercy. Before saying, “Show me why You contend with me,” Job first said, “Do not condemn me.” Although Job’s attitude bordered on self-righteousness and irreverence, His soul recognized the need for God to grant pardon. When dealing with the Lord, then, let us not ask for absolute justice but always plead for mercy. And let us remember that the blood of Christ is the only basis for God’s mercy. His sacrifice cleanses us in the sight of a Holy God and gives us access to the throne of grace.

The words are an argument of integrity. Although no man can claim perfection, those of true heart who walk faithfully with the Lord can claim integrity. Just as Peter could profess his genuine love for Jesus even though he did not love Him perfectly, so God’s people can claim their integrity even though they are not sinless. King David prayed, “Judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness, and according to my integrity within me” (Psalm 7:8). This was not a denial of David’s need of God’s mercy, but it was the plea of his heart for a blessing upon his faithfulness. It is comforting to know that God recognizes and rewards integrity in His people. He knows that there are injustices that face them, and He will allow them to plea their case before Him. He knows that His providence sometimes deeply grieves them when they have committed no blatant sins to deserve it. God Himself said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil? And still he holds fast to his integrity, although you incited Me against him, to destroy him without cause.” (Job 2:3). Job also expressed his belief that he had not so sinned against God as to warrant such affliction: “My foot has held fast to His steps; I have kept His way and not turned aside. I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food” (Job 23:11-12). As Job, there are times when we may beseech God by pleading our integrity. But He gives us no license to accuse Him, to grumble against Him, or to call Him to account for His dealings. Even Job went too far in his words and had to later repent. When integrity is pleaded, it must flow from humility and reverence.

The words are a request to be examined. We greatly error if we think that all afflictions are the result of personal sin. The Word of God says, “many are the afflictions of the righteous” (Psalm 34:19), and many Christians will testify that some of their deepest afflictions came when they were faithful. But we equally error if we think that none of our afflictions are God’s chastisement for sin. Do not father’s discipline their children for wrongdoing? Is it any different with a perfectly righteous heavenly Father? Does He not say, “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor detest His correction; For whom the Lord loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights” (Prov 3:11-12)? If this is so, we ought to be open to self-examination in our trials. We ought to say as David, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me” (Psalm 134:23-24). Job asked God to expose the reason for his plight. “Show me why You contend with me.” It was to say, “Lord, if there is any case that you have against me, please reveal it.” Let us similarly ask God to expose our sin through the truth of His Word. In so doing, however, let us not become so introspective as to blame ourselves for all of our difficulties, nor become so fearful as to think that the Lord always brings retribution for our sin. Let us remember that God’s providence most often answers only to Him.

The words are a sign of hope. Would Job have spoken to God this way if he had no hope? Would he have requested that God not condemn him if condemnation was inevitable? Job cried to God because there is always hope in Him (Lam 3:24). He had hope that behind the dark clouds was a bright sun. He had hope that even though there was sorrow in his heart today, God still held tomorrow in His hands. He had hope that even if God had brought his sins to remembrance, He might yet forgive them. In the end, the God who seemed to contend with Job was shown to have truly loved him. Let us, therefore, have hope in two respects. First, temporally: that God grants sustaining grace to His people and causes all things to work together for their good. He will cause their afflictions to bring glory to His name and great benefit to their souls. He will be attentive to their cries and save them from a multitude of troubles, and though He chastises them, it will be for their good. Second, eternally: that through the once for all sacrifice of Christ, God surely pardons and grants eternal life. He washes away the sins of those who come to Him and makes them children of God. And in eternity, He will reveal to them the glory that far outweighs the sufferings of this present time (Rom 8:18).