Job chapter 29 reminds me of a recent trip to a retirement home. When we see the elderly, it is hard to imagine them in their youth. It is hard to see past the frail shell. I noticed a bulletin board on the way out with pictures and biographies of the residents. It was full of photographs showing vigorous men beaming with success and young women lauded for achievements. This room full of wheelchairs and walkers doing crafts were highly respected and powerful people a generation ago. Job begins as a man with a feeble body, left with only memories. “How I long for the months gone by, for the days when God watched over me… by His light I walked through darkness… for the days when I was in my prime… when the Almighty was still with me“. Job reminisces about “when God’s intimate friendship blessed my house“. He recalls being honored and respected, “When I went to the gate… young men saw me and stepped aside… the voices of the nobles were hushed“. What a contrast to the Job of this chapter. I’m sure everyone that looked at Job now saw only his disease and anguish. His prestige was now hidden, so his words carried no wisdom to the casual observer. God sees us very differently from the world around us. Don’t be fooled, Job has not given up.
Next Job seems to be talking without being heard. He recounts his life and relevance without an audience. Job Boasts, “Whoever heard me spoke well of me… because I rescued the poor who cried for help… The man who was dying blessed me; I made the widow’s heart sing. I put on righteousness as my clothing“. Job continues, “I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame… I broke the fangs of the wicked and snatched the victims from their teeth“. I find that former athletes are like fisherman, their stories grow over time. I like to say, “The older I get, the better I was”. The amazing thing about Job is he was not exaggerating. God Himself said of Job, “There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil“. You can imagine his words trailing off as he recognizes the irony, of his present situation, “Men listened to me expectantly, waiting in silence for my counsel“. It is interesting that in spite of all Job has endured, it is his friends that have been worn down.
All of us tend to act as if things will not change. Teenagers believe they are bullet-proof and trust their ability to react. The physically fit think they will run forever. The wealthy trust their earning power. Job looks back believing the glory days have passed him by. He says, “I thought… my days as numerous as the grains of sand… My glory will remain fresh in me, the bow ever new in my hand… I dwelt as a king among his troops“. I believe there is an encouraging point to the chapter. Job does not speak of his life with any regret. He does not look back and see missed opportunities and fortunes lost, he highlights the joy of helping others. I believe we find true fulfillment in life when we learn to bless other people, expecting nothing in return. The first two verses of Romans chapter 12 teach believers in Christ the greatest way to demonstrate our thankfulness to God is to, “offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God“. That means we are to live out our faith for all to see. It also tells us the only way to keep our priorities in line with God is by regularly reading His Word. “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is His good, pleasing and perfect will.” We are to demonstrate God’s love by being merciful and giving our time and talent joyfully. If you have regrets, it is not too late to change. The key is to know that God is working His perfect Will through anyone with willing heart.