Year B Pentecost 22 – Job 42:1-6, 10-17; Psalm 34:1-8, 19-22; Hebrews 7:23-28; Mark 10:46-52
Suffering is a part of being human. Deliverance from that suffering is part of God. Job’s story reminds us that life is not about us but about God. God does know about our struggles. Like a loving parent, God allows us to experience the pains of life to strengthen our character. Yet ultimately, God does deliver us from our pain.
Job was delivered from his suffering and restored with blessing. However, that did not happen until Job surrendered his will to God’s. It also did not happen until after he prayed for friends. His attitude had to be realigned with God’s word.
Psalm 34 encourages those with crushed spirits. Bitterness and pride prolong agony. Affliction of one’s soul ends with broken hearts and contrite spirits. Bowing ourselves before God in humility, we discover God’s goodness and blessing.
The New Testament covenant reaffirms that suffering is a part of life. Our story may not end like Job’s on earth, but it will in Heaven. The work of Jesus Christ as High Priest means it is an eternal work. As Jesus is an eternal being, His salvation is for eternity. We take comfort in knowing our suffering in this life is temporary.
The story of blind Bartimaeus reaffirms there is a delivering faith in Jesus Christ. It is not what we do that dictates deliverance from evil. It is what Jesus did and continues to do as the High Priest in Heaven. Look to Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Creator of all, and you will find rest for your soul.