I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on Job 16-21.

    Job once more complains that instead of offering him comfort in his suffering, his friends accuse him of unspecified, but horrible, sins. Everyone assumes that he is some kind of reprehensible person because of the misfortune he has suffered. We should take this to heart and remember not to assume that those who are poor and/or sick have done something to deserve their suffering. We should treat them as individuals and learn their specific circumstances before reaching any kind of judgment. We should not assume that the homeless person is homeless because of their own actions, even though that is true for most of them. Even if those who are suffering are doing so because of their own sins, we should strive to have mercy on them; it is not our place to punish people for their sins. Let us leave that to God.

    Bildad and Zophar both repeat the idea that the wicked inevitably suffer for their wickedness. While I do indeed believe that there is truth to this, Job points out that the wicked often appear to prosper, even when disaster strikes the wicked often seem to come through unscathed. Sometimes, it even seems as if their wickedness provides them the means to avoid suffering. Further, Job points out that we often praise the wicked. Even after they have died and no longer have the power to harm us for speaking of the evil they have done we often speak glowingly of them. Let us learn not to judge people as righteous because they are prosperous and powerful, doing so grinds the salt in the wounds of those they have abused.

    I cannot end my discussion of this passage without touching on one of the great statements of faith. Despite his suffering and torment, despite the depression Job clearly struggled with, he said something astoundingly inspiring:

But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives,
and he will stand upon the earth at last.

And after my body has decayed,
yet in my body I will see God![a]

I will see him for myself.
Yes, I will see him with my own eyes.
I am overwhelmed at the thought!

I hope that you too know that your Redeemer lives. If not, I pray that God will reveal Himself to you. The knowledge that God has provided us with a Redeemer who will mediate between us and Him provides us with the hope to continue to strive to overcome depression.