God! What in the world are you doing? Or are you even there? You must be, because it seem that you’re working against me all the time. Why do you want so much more pain and suffering than happiness in my life? I know I’m not perfect, I know I have days where I may forget you or not spend much time with you, but those other days I really, really seek you and try to live for you. Do you forget those days and just remember the bad days? Where’s the compassion and mercy You boast about? Must I constantly be punished for my failings? Do you even care about my desires and hopes and dreams? Are you looking out for me at all? Why can’t things just work out for the good? Why all the trials and troubles? I really don’t get you Lord. Just leave me alone if this is how it’s gonna be. I’m better off on my own.

1 Then the LORD answered…He said:
2 “Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge?

Whoa, so you’re answering now? I, uh, didn’t mean to “darken your counsel” but it’s not without basis! I’m really, really, REALLY frustrated right now. You know that. You feel me thrashing around down here. Where’s the compassion and caring Father that I hear so much about?

3 Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me.

Oh, so that’s how it’s gonna be, huh? Bring it on, bubba! I will answer you! I’m not afraid. I will yell at you for all the garbage you’ve put me through when you know I’m trying so very hard. Are YOU ready to answer me? Brace YOURSELF!

4 “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand.

Why are you asking me?!? You know where I was…you knew me you formed me in the womb. Words out of your own mouth! See, I understand! Of course I wasn’t there when you laid the foundations. So what?

5 Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it?

Yes, surely I do know! You did! What’s your point? You’re not helping your situation. If you can do all that, then why the misery? Why the suffering? Why destroy the lives of those who are trying so hard to serve you?

8 “Who shut up the sea behind doors when it burst forth from the womb,
9 when I made the clouds its garment and wrapped it in thick darkness,
10 when I fixed limits for it and set its doors and bars in place,
11 when I said, ‘This far you may come and no farther; here is where your proud waves halt’?

Now You’re trying to show off and boast about Your “accomplishments.” Why aren’t you bragging about the pain and suffering, the wars and famines that you have not shut up or fixed limits on? Where’s the bragging about the innocent children that die because of wicked adults? Again, what’s your point in bragging about this so-called “mighty” deeds? You can do all that, but can’t let this child of yours be happy? You can do all that, but let loved ones suffer and die from cancer or other diseases?

12 “Have you ever given orders to the morning, or shown the dawn its place,
13 that it might take the earth by the edges and shake the wicked out of it?

Of course not, but who says I even want to? You sure haven’t shaken the wicked out, either!

15 The wicked are denied their light, and their upraised arm is broken.

Are you calling me wicked now? Because I sure feel like I’m broken and being denied light. Maybe I am wicked…but you know I’m trying my best! What do you want from me? Tell me!

18 Have you comprehended the vast expanses of the earth? Tell me, if you know all this.

OK, don’t tell me what you want… Of course I don’t know all this. I’m not You! I can admit that! I’m a simple man, with simple desires and dreams. I don’t know everything or even want to. You supposedly have all that under control. All I want is some days of joy, some peace and happiness. You can have all the big, mighty stuff that you’re throwing around. I don’t care for that.

19 “What is the way to the abode of light? And where does darkness reside?
20 Can you take them to their places? Do you know the paths to their dwellings?

Yeah, seriously, what is the way to the abode of light? Could you clue me know or is it some great secret only the prophets and holiest of the holy men get to know? Or maybe I need to stop at a convenience store and ask for directions? Even if you do decide to let these children of your know this super secret location, it’s only going to be cryptic. We know you, that’s the way you work. You’ll just point in some vague direction and say “over yonder.” How about some landmarks or street names! We’re not smart, we need to be held by the held and led. You know that! Wanna take a road trip? Maybe you could take me there personally! We could spend some quality time talking about all this junk and getting to know each other better. Some good ol’ quality time would go a long way. Oh, wait, I forgot, that would take too much time away from all the “mighty” things you could be doing. It would take away from all the boasting about the garment of clouds and limiting the sea that you like to do. I forgot I’m just a peon and you don’t have time for me. Is my tiny, distant voice annoying you all the way up there yet; are you even hearing it?

21 Surely you know, for you were already born! You have lived so many years!

Oh, so now you’re sarcastic! Yeah, that’s the way to be. That’s really gonna help matters. Thanks for the love, Dad. Jerk…

22 “Have you entered the storehouses of the snow or seen the storehouses of the hail,
23 which I reserve for times of trouble, for days of war and battle?

Times of trouble? You think I’m flying high right now? How about releasing some of the stores of joy on me right now! What are you saving it up for? Darker days ahead? Yeah…that makes me feel great…

24 What is the way to the place where the lightning is dispersed, or the place where the east winds are scattered over the earth?

I’m still clueless… Do you like rubbing this in, that you’re so much smarter than we are? You going to help out any?

28 Does the rain have a father? Who fathers the drops of dew?
29 From whose womb comes the ice? Who gives birth to the frost from the heavens
30 when the waters become hard as stone, when the surface of the deep is frozen?

Again, it’s you…duh, I know that. I KNOW IT! Do you have anything beneficial you want to say to me, or are you just gonna go on and on about your greatness?

31 “Can you bind the beautiful Pleiades? Can you loose the cords of Orion?
32 Can you bring forth the constellations in their seasons or lead out the Bear with its cubs?
33 Do you know the laws of the heavens? Can you set up God’s dominion over the earth?

No, I can’t! You know that! That’s all yours. I know that. I don’t want that. I just want some joy, some peace! Is it too much to ask? Are you too busy playing with the stars? Hello, we’re down here.

34 “Can you raise your voice to the clouds and cover yourself with a flood of water?

Yeah, I can raise my voice to the clouds…but only to have it ignored!

35 Do you send the lightning bolts on their way? Do they report to you, ‘Here we are’?

NO!

36 Who endowed the heart with wisdom or gave understanding to the mind?

Wisdom and understanding? Yeah, those would be nice. I don’t know - who endowed those? I seem to have been skipped over, so I would like to have a word with whoever that may be. I guess I have to take a number and stand in line, huh… Customer service around here is HORRIBLE!

37 Who has the wisdom to count the clouds? Who can tip over the water jars of the heavens
38 when the dust becomes hard and the clods of earth stick together?
39 “Do you hunt the prey for the lioness and satisfy the hunger of the lions
40 when they crouch in their dens or lie in wait in a thicket?
41 Who provides food for the raven when its young cry out to God and wander about for lack of food?

You know what, I’m done with this conversation. It feels like I’m talking to a brick wall. Get back to me when you’re ready to listen to me and answer my cries for mercy and compassion…

Job 38