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Contrary to what some believe, I am not old enough to have personally known Job, the biblical character. However, I surely can identify with him. In fact, it is my absolute conviction that every human being who has lived to be accountable before God can identify with Job. His struggles, though perhaps more intense and sore, are our struggles. The times are different and “the names have been changed to protect the guilty,” but his struggles are our struggles.

After his pseudo-friends came to his side and began their berating tirades, Job was “forced” to go on the defensive. In regards to his ability to stand before Holy God, Job said, “How then can I answer Him [God], And choose my words to reason with Him? For though I were righteous, I could not answer Him; I would beg mercy of my Judge.” (Job 9.14-15). That, dear reader, was Job’s hope and it is ours. Those who think they will stand before God on any other basis, especially on the basis of their own righteousness, are self-deluded and are of all men most pitiable.

Regarding today’s focus text and why I would beg mercy, Albert Barnes, noted commentator, said it far better than I. In points one through four (below), I offer his comments for your consideration.

(1) God knows the heart. He cannot be deceived; we may be. In nothing are we more liable to be deceived than in regard to our own character. We should, therefore, distrust our own judgment in this case, but we should never distrust God.

(2) God is infinitely benevolent, and will not judge unkindly. He has no wish to find us sinners; he will have no pleasure in making us out to be transgressors. A heart of infinite benevolence would prefer to find all people holy, and would look on every favorable circumstance in the case with all the kindness which it would deserve. No being would be so likely to make a favorable decision in our case as the infinitely benevolent God; none would so delight to find that we were free from the charge of guilt.

(3) God will act on his own views of our character, and not on ours; and it is prudent and wise, therefore, for us to act on his views now. He will judge us in the last day according to his estimate of our character, and not according to the estimate which we may form.

(4) At the same time, we cannot but accord with his views of our own character. Our reason and conscience tell us that we have violated his laws, and that we have no claim to his mercy. No man can persuade himself that he is wholly righteous; and being conscious of guilt, though in the slightest degree, he should make supplication to his Judge.

In a Psalm attributed to Moses, the venerable lawgiver stated the following, “You [God] have set our iniquities before You, Our secret sins in the light of Your countenance.” (Psalm 90.8). David echoed these sentiments and recognized the futility of specifically enumerating each of his sins; he cried out to God, saying, “Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults. Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; Let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, And I shall be innocent of great transgression.” (Psalm 19.12-13).

I recently heard a man deny that secret sins entered into the equation of being righteous before God. As for me, I am just not that confident in my own ability to infallibly read, interpret, and apply God’s word to my life. I think even after we have done all, we are yet unprofitable servants (see Luke 17.10) and must rely upon God’s mercy if we are to have any hope of heaven. I would beg mercy!

Questions:

1. In this message, why do you suppose the three men who came to Job were called pseudo-friends?

2. What insight did Moses have into God’s character that would lead him to believe that God would honor the request to forgive secret sins? Do you think that Moses thought he might have secret sins?

3. David asked, “Who can understand his errors?” What is the answer to this question?

4. In the analogy Jesus used in Luke 17.10, who are the unprofitable servants? Are believers unprofitable servants (in the comparison Jesus gave)?

"Refreshment in Refuge" from Gina Burgess

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