Confusing Reality

SCRIPTURE: They make night into day: “The light,” they say, “is near to the darkness.” Job 17:12 ESV

THOUGHT: Scripture warns those of us who would deliver platitudes to someone longing for light when no light comes — confusing reality and only muddying the water. Job’s story provides many lessons in how not to treat a brother or sister who is suffering.  In effect, Job (or another who is afflicted) says, “Don’t try to console me by telling me morning is just around the corner—that’s a little like telling me a comfortable coffin will soon make me feel better.”

I see something similar in Isaiah 5:20: Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Trying to put a sweet twist on a bitter truth is something God detests, and Isaiah minced no words about the people of God who tried to do that. Our Redeemer certainly uses darkness and light for his purposes, but never does he confuse them.

It’s no use trying to pretend a time of trial away; all our carefully worded, politically correct clichés or sticky notes with a positive mantra cannot answer the deepest need of the heart—to know that God is there and ultimately good. Job needed to hear from God, and all the foolish words of his friends couldn’t fill that void. Their silence offered far more kindness than all the human “wisdom” that followed.

PRAYER: Oh God, I ask the Spirit of truth to speak truth to me, and practice the discipline of silence—trusting you to speak when the time is right. Help me offer truth to others too, not platitudes, not confusion.