Job 30:31

31 My harp [kinnowr] also is turned to mourning ['ebel], and my organ [`uwgab] into the voice [qowl] of them that weep [bakah]. KJV-Interlinear

31 'Therefore my harp is turned to mourning, And my flute to the sound of those who weep. NASB

Job is living an experience that resembles what life would be like with the absence of God. Regardless of your circumstances in this life. Whether you are filthy rich, or desperately poor, makes no difference.

Either situation can lead to ones embrace of the fantasies that would make you believe that you are well off. If all you see is the darkness then all you believe is out there in life, is that darkness. If all you see is your environment, then all you believe is out there, is that environment.

In fact, your outlook in life is simply wanting more and more, or less and less of whatever it is that you have now. The rich want more riches, and the poor want less of their poverty. The happy want more happiness and the sad want less sadness.

Unfortunately, they all look in the same places for their wants - the world. And the world is not a resource for anything permanent.

The end result, despite a lifetime of worldly prosperity or poverty, is all wrapped up in this last verse.

The harp and the flute from which you would expect joy and cheerful even knee slapping, foot stomping happiness, actually result in terrible, painful, and pathetic sorrow.

This is the destiny, this is the very best that one can expect from a life without God, without Christ, without doctrine, without a spiritual life.

Conversely, when God is in your life, when you are advancing in your spiritual life, then no matter what your earthly circumstances might be, whether rich or poor, your life will be far better off than anyone else in this world.

Job already has acknowledged that his redeemer and his advocate are God (the savior) Himself. And by this, even in his unusual suffering which we have been studying, Job demonstrates a calmness and a confidence of trust in God to whom he looks for relief.

Job does not look to the world. Job does not look to things. Job does not look to his friends. Job does not look to himself.

And whether his suffering ends up in death or recovery, he knows that it is only God who will bring him through safely, and no one and nothing else can accomplish that.

Now is the time to post a prayer.