What's the Use?

One of Job's so-called comforters was a young man named Elihu. He deferred to the older men, letting them speak first. Round after round, they chastised Job for what surely must be some sin, in order for him to be suffering so greatly. Finally, Elihu could not contain himself any longer. In fact, he said his belly was full of words, ready to burst like a wineskin without a vent. (Beware the danger of talking when you simply cannot keep your thoughts to yourself!)

Job had complained that the righteous suffer along with the wicked—that hardly seems fair—and sometimes the godly even suffer while the wicked prosper! Elihu carried Job's words a bit far, insinuating that Job thought serving God was a vain endeavor. "He has even said, ‘Why waste time trying to please God?’ and ‘What’s in it for me? What’s the use of living a righteous life?’ " (Job 34:9; 35:3) Even so, Job would not be the only one who has ever said, "This holy stuff doesn't work. What's the use? I'm wasting my time."

No, this is missing the point. We are not trying to make something work. We are not wasting our time just because things are difficult. According to one Scripture paraphrase I recall (maybe the old "Living Bible," forerunner of the New Living Translation), the Psalmist sang, "He helps me do what honors Him the most." (Psalm 23:3) That is the point.

Seeking to honor the Lord is the most helpful way I have found for directing my daily path. Trying to make the life of faith work is frustrating—and doesn’t work. Trying to be good enough to please the perfect Divine One is never a sure thing—and doesn't work. Trying to find the benefit to me of living a righteous life is self-centered, maybe even hypocritical—and doesn’t work. Letting Him help me do what honors Him the most—works.

MaryMartha

Scripture quotation is taken from The Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. United States of America. All rights reserved.