So the Lord blessed Job in the second half of his life even more than in the beginning. For now he had 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 teams of oxen, and 1,000 female donkeys. He also gave Job seven more sons and three more daughters. He named his first daughter Jemimah, the second Keziah, and the third Keren-happuch. In all the land no women were as lovely as the daughters of Job. And their father put them into his will along with their brothers. (Job 42:12-15)
I find at least two enduring truths for us as I think through these closing scenes in Job's story. First, forgiveness is worth asking for. If there's something that has come between you and your heavenly Father, why wait at a distance? Come. Talk openly with Him. He loves to hear the unguarded confessions of His children. He takes delight in our humble admission of wrong. Just tell Him. As we have seen, He will never turn you away. Forgiveness is worth the asking.
Second, justice is worth waiting for. God is a God of justice. He will faithfully bring it to pass—if not now, later. If not later, in eternity. God will make it right. His fairness is part of His veracity. God, who patiently allowed Satan's dastardly experiment with Job to run its course, has now brought it to completion. His servant has been rewarded. These friends have been brought to their knees. Best of all, Satan has been silenced and proven wrong (again!). And the Lord is still enthroned, in charge, and fully glorified.
I have no way of knowing what your situation is right now. I don't know what you're wrestling with or who has wronged you. Nor do I know how severe life has been for you. But I do know this: life has not been easy. Your tests have probably not been as severe as Job's, but I'm sure they have been difficult, maybe the worst you've ever known in your lifetime. You may find yourself in prison. You've been wronged, and it's never been made right, and justice is on hold.
There's a reason for the delay. Perhaps it's to give you time to examine your own life. Is there a wrong you need to confess, an offense you've caused but never attempted to reconcile? I urge you to set aside your pride and step back into that unfinished business and take care of things now. You will be amazed how relieving it will be to draw in that anchor so you can get moving in the right direction.
It might very well be that your willingness to forgive and move on is all that is necessary to prompt the Lord to let His justice roll down. So, what are you waiting for?
Taken from Great Days with the Great Lives by Charles Swindoll. Copyright © 2005 by Charles R. Swindoll. Used by permission of HarperCollins Christian Publishing. www.harpercollinschristian.com
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