Would you discredit my justice? Would you condemn me to justify yourself? – Job 40:8

Today's Scripture Reading (August 6, 2021): Job 40

To win, someone usually has to lose. My grandkids have begun to play games where the goal is to win as a team over the game, although all the children do not equally love these games. At least one of them wants to win over the others. But even though working together is the aim, there is still a loser; it's just the game that loses instead of one of them. The concept of winning consistently assumes a loser. It is part of the trap of life. And it is almost too alien an idea not to want to win, regardless of whether it is a game or an argument, or just convincing someone that our way is the best. Winning has been woven into our lives, and to lift ourselves up, it seems that someone has to be laid low.

And if you happen to have a competitive spirit, winning is all the more critical. I happen to be very competitive. The phrase "It's only a game" was one that I have hated for most of my life. I love to compete and to work hard for the win. To know the other person isn't trying because "it's just a game" takes all of the fun out of the competition, regardless of whether I win or lose.

Job has tried to defend himself against the onslaught from his accusers. But in the process of protecting his own integrity, he has called into question God's. It is not really surprising; it is part of the normal process of winning and losing. But just because it is normal, doesn't mean that it is good. To defend ourselves, someone must lose.

Job had fallen into a trap that is common to all of us. Because he (or we) did not understand the situation in which he (or we) found himself, Job decided (as often do we) that, just maybe, God wasn't playing fair. Job seemed to wonder if, like some of the games we play, the cards are stacked against us, and there is no way that we can win, ultimately, because God is not playing fair.

So, God calls Job on his behavior. Did Job mean to call into question God's integrity and God's justice? Do we, with our queries and assertions about God, question his integrity? Is that what we mean to do? Did Job understand that he, in an attempt to defend himself, was condemning God? It is a trap into which we all have the potential to fall. And the only solution to the trap is to make a statement of faith and admit that, even though we might not have all of the answers, we are still willing to trust God and walk in his ways. Even though we might feel like we are condemned, we know that God sees what we don't see and understands what we don't understand. And because of that, God is still in control, and the end is in his hands.   

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Job 41