Incomplete and distorted

We finally come to the last of the speeches by Job’s friends.

Essentially, Bildad totally ignores all that Job said, and just says, “God’s great.  God’s pure.  But you.  You’re just a dirty worm.  Dirty.  Impure.  A mere maggot in his sight.”

Job retorts, “Wow!  What great wisdom!  I’m just stunned by your insight.  Of course God is great and awesome.  His power is beyond imagining.  I’m nothing compared to him.  But I still don’t deserve all this suffering, and nothing you say can make me say that I do.”

As I look at Bildad, I see two things.

First, his idea of God was incomplete and distorted.  While it is true that God is great and we are nothing compared to him, and while I suppose from our view, we are but maggots and worms compared to him and his holiness, nevertheless, he doesn’t see us that way.

How do I know?  Because when God took on flesh, he spent most of his time ministering to those whom others considered “worms” and “maggots.”

He reached out to the prostitute who was about to be stoned and granted her mercy and a second chance.

He extended the hand of fellowship to the cheating tax collector whom everyone despised.

He ate with and gave his time to the other notorious “sinners” in Israel.  And because of that, their lives were changed.

But even more than that, he went to the cross for us when he didn’t have to.

He was pure.  He was holy.  He didn’t deserve to die.  But he went to the cross anyway.  Why?  Because he saw us as worms?  Because he saw us as maggots?

No.  Because he saw us as pearls of great price, and he was willing to pay any price in order to save us.

I once heard a Christian comedian talk about his favorite song, which to him incapsulated the message of Christianity.

“What song is that?” he asked.  “It must be one of the great songs of the church.  Something like…” (taking a deep breath, and singing in a very solemn tone…)

I come before thy throne of grace…
And throw myself upon my face.

I know that I am but a worm.
So step on me God and watch me squirm.

(With apologies to Martin Luther’s “A mighty fortress is our God.”)

“No,” he said.  “I believe it can be summed up in one phrase.  One song.”

Jesus loves me this I know,
For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to him belong.
They are weak, but he is strong.

Yes, Jesus loves me.
Yes, Jesus loves me.
Yes, Jesus loves me.
The Bible tells me so.

Granted, it is not the whole of the gospel.  But it’s where it starts.  Because if God didn’t love us, there would be no gospel at all.

And it’s this love that we need to take to a world that is hurting.

That is what Bildad failed to do for Job (and this is the second thing I note concerning Bildad).

For while Bildad simply telling Job, “God loves you” would have probably done no good, Bildad showing the love and compassion of God would’ve done Job a world of good, and let him know that yes, God is still here.  And God still cares.

How about you?  Is your view of God incomplete and distorted?  Do you see God’s greatness, and see yourself only as an insignificant worm in his sight? 

God doesn’t see you that way at all.  He loves you.

And he wants you to take that love to the people around you.  Not just through your words.  But through your actions.

Do you know God’s love in your life?  And do people see God’s love through you?