Out of Here

Man who is born of a woman is few of days and full of trouble. He comes out like a flower and withers; he flees like a shadow and continues not. And do you open your eyes on such a one and bring me into judgment with you? Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? There is not one. Since his days are determined, and the number of his months is with you, and you have appointed his limits that he cannot pass, look away from him and leave him alone, that he may enjoy, like a hired hand, his day. (Job 14:1-6 ESV). Job has reached the end of his journey with his friends. They have not offered him any comfort or consolation. He is still suffering at every level humanly possible. Now he turns to God and declares his understanding that he has no control over the number of days he has been given. God has already determined that. He is not asking for more days; he is asking for help in the midst of those days. He just wants to be “left alone” so that he can live out his days in some sense of peace. God is going to correct Job later in the book; and, we should not judge Job at this low point in his life. He is where many of us might be with far less trouble in our lives. The principle truth for us today is that our days are numbered, which means there is a day coming, though we don’t know when, when we will be “out of here.” We can worry about that, or we can simply trust that God knows when that day is. It doesn't mean we take foolish chances or put our lives at risk unnecessarily. But it does mean we recognize the fact that our lives belong to God. They are in His hands. This is a very comforting thought, because it means that until God is finished with us, nothing will happen to us. That's great to know. But it also means when our number is up, it is up. When that day comes, there is nothing we can do to turn the clock back. It should motivate us as Christians, to live for Christ and to know death is gain (cf. Philippians 1:21). So we should thank God for each new day, thank Him for the opportunities He provides, for the blessings He gives us, and for our family and friends. Then we should be available and willing to serve Him in whatever plans He has for us. God values you. He loves you. But if today is the day that you would be out of here, would you be ready? The alternative to being unprepared for death is unpleasant; it is certain judgment. God’s desire is seen in the work of Christ on the Cross. He sent Jesus to die on the cross so that we may be assured of eternal life free from all encumbrances and trials. Every sin we have committed has been justified in that work. I certainly don’t want God to “look the other way” in my regard. I can only hope you feel the same. If you have never trusted him with your life, today is a good day for that. It will set you free even in the midst of your circumstance. We don’t know when; but, we do know what. Trust him for both!