Darkened Souls

S

(Job 18:6,14,15) The light [of the wicked] is dark in his tent...He is torn from his tent in which he trusted and is brought to the king of terrors. In his tent dwells that which is none of his....

O

Here, Bildad wrongly described God's attitude and actions toward the wicked (42:7,8). He described God as being merely an extension of his own vindictive, fearful theology. He wanted God to be the grand tormentor instead of Savior and Deliverer. Although it's true that wickedness eventually begets misery, darkened perceptions, and a "tent-full" of unsatisfactory relationships, God's theology is vastly different.

A

Through Jesus Christ, God commands light to shine in darkness (2 Corinthians 4:6). Where Bildad saw these problems as results of wickedness and reasons to reject wicked people, through Paul's life, I can see clearly how the same problems can bring light and changed lives. In Acts 27 and 28, Paul shared terrors with the ungodly so his "tent" could be an attractive opportunity to showcase God's grace.

P

Mighty Deliverer, help me not to view You through the blindness of my fear of suffering or my discomfort of people who aren't like me. Please turn on Your light brighter for me so I can see how You're continually pouring out Your grace through Your son, Jesus, to all of us (Ephesians 5:1-20).