Will you condemn Me? Job 40:8

"Will you really annul My judgment? Will you condemn Me that you may be justified?" (Job 40:8)

This scripture has meant more to me over the years than any other verse in the Book of Job. This verse both convicted me and challenged me to take a deep look at my own life and the motivations behind my actions. It was during a time when I felt particularly wronged by others. I felt that others were judging me incorrectly and unfairly. In an attempt to prove myself justified, I started finding fault with others. My motivation was that, if I could prove them wrong, then they would have to see that I was right. Job fell into the same trap. Even to the point where he was willing to judge God as being wrong in order that others may see him as being right.

After reading this scripture, I began to ask myself, "what is so important about being right?" Why did I feel that I had to prove myself to be right? Why not rather accept being wronged? Paul asked this of the Corinthians, "Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded?" (1 Corinthians 6:7) This idea is so foreign to our way of thinking. How can we accept being wronged when we know we are right?

Peter tells us how Jesus was able to accept wrong without responding in judgment, "and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously." (1 Peter 2:23) Jesus knew that it did not matter what other people thought about Him. And it didn't matter how other people treated Him. He knew that He was loved by God and that, in the end, God would make all things right. He trusted that His heavenly Father would watch over Him, protect Him, and maintain His cause. Nothing would be accomplished by Him seeking His own justice. That, He left up to the Father.

David Robison