““Why did I not die at birth? Why did I not perish when I came from the womb? 12 Why did the knees receive me? Or why the breasts, that I should nurse? 13 For now I would have lain still and been quiet, I would have been asleep; then I would have been at rest 14 with kings and counselors of the earth, who built ruins for themselves, or with princes who had gold, who filled their houses with silver; 16 Or why was I not hidden like a stillborn child, like infants who never saw light?”” Job 3:11-16 NKJV
“Why is light given to him who is in misery, and life to the bitter of soul, 21 who long for death, but it does not come, and search for it more than hidden treasures; 22 who rejoice exceedingly, and are glad when they can find the grave? 23 Why is light given to a man whose way is hidden, and whom God has hedged in? 24 For my sighing comes before I eat, and my groanings pour out like water. 25 For the thing I greatly feared has come upon me, And what I dreaded has happened to me. 26 I am not at ease, nor am I quiet; I have no rest, for trouble comes.” Job 3: 20-26
Father God,
Job hits rock bottom. It is hard to read. Perhaps we have never felt that low and that is a reason to thank You. Perhaps we have and remember the struggle to hold suffering and faith together. Job is asking questions of You God and trying to understand. Many of the same questions that we have asked. When we see disasters on the news and tremendous depth of suffering and death of those so young. Some of them Yours in Jesus, some with no chance of knowing You. We need to be able to be real and honest.
Yet Job never turns away from You. He asks the questions. There are no easy answers for us to be able to quote. He has to journey through his pain with You. And it does not stop it happening. Job does not give us answers. He shows us his attitude. In depression, even suicidal he turns to You. He is not persuaded by the trite answers of his friends who make him feel guilty in his depression. He continues to talk to You.
When there are no answers help us to continue to search for you and wait. And accept the things we may never know. And trust. You do not send suffering but it happens. We live in a fallen world. Evil has not been finally dealt with yet. Meanwhile we have Your Holy Spirit of comfort and strength help us keep going if, when it is all bleak.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Wednesday 2nd September 2026
Joseph Scriven (1819–1886) was an Irish-born Canadian teacher and poet best remembered for writing this hymn. Despite facing crushing personal tragedies, he lived a life of radical selflessness and service to the poor.
What a friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer!
Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;
take it to the Lord in prayer!
Can we find a friend so faithful
who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
take it to the Lord in prayer!
Are we weak and heavy laden,
cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge–
take it to the Lord in prayer!
Do your friends despise, forsake you?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he’ll take and shield you;
you will find a solace there.
Lyrics: Joseph M. Scriven