42 Then Job replied to the Lord:

² “I know that you can do anything,
    and no one can stop you.
³ You asked, ‘Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?’
    It is I—and I was talking about things I knew nothing about,
    things far too wonderful for me.
⁴ You said, ‘Listen and I will speak!
    I have some questions for you,
    and you must answer them.’
⁵ I had only heard about you before,
    but now I have seen you with my own eyes.
⁶ I take back everything I said,
    and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance.”

Job 42:1-6

Dear God, I want to pray for comfort today. I have several people I know who need your comfort. There are some who are experiencing health scares for themselves, their children, or others they love. Of course, for those, I pray for healing and a path forward. I pray that you will make the pain they are experiencing count for something. Don’t let it be wasted. I’m thinking of a little boy with some development issues. Oh, please help him and help his parents. I honestly don’t know how I would respond if I were them. I am thinking of the sisters I know whose father seemingly has a serious case of cancer. If healing is within your will for him, I implore you to heal. But I also ask that you will use this fear and concern to draw each person involved closer to you.

But what started all of this for me this morning are two mothers I know who are mourning the loss of their children. One was a slow, long death. One was a sudden heart attack. It’s too late to heal, but we will all die eventually. In these cases, I ask that you will raise up people in their lives who will comfort them. I pray that you will send your attending angels to protect them. I pray that you will fill them with your Holy Spirit. Oh, God, please comfort these women.

Then I am thinking of all of the others I know who have lost loved ones. The widows/widowers. The children who have lost parents. Then I have the young boy I know in an unpredictable living situation. I am concerned for him on a lot of levels. Oh, God, please move in these lives. In these situations. Provide your path and your hope for them.

I relate all of this to this passage because this is Job’s ultimate conclusion in the depths of his suffering. After you have had your fill of his indignancy at having suffered greatly, you remind him (and me through him) that he is nothing. Who is he to question you? After you dressed him down, his response?

² “I know that you can do anything,
    and no one can stop you.
³ You asked, ‘Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?’
    It is I—and I was talking about things I knew nothing about,
    things far too wonderful for me.
⁴ You said, ‘Listen and I will speak!
    I have some questions for you,
    and you must answer them.’
⁵ I had only heard about you before,
    but now I have seen you with my own eyes.
⁶ I take back everything I said,
    and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance.”

That last verse: “I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance.” That’s what it’s all about.

Father, for the complaining to you I have done, I am sorry. Show me what to do to worship and glorify you. Please protect the people I’ve mentioned here from complaining and bring them into a deeper relationship with you than they would ever have otherwise known. You are good. You are merciful. Bless those who mourn and comfort them. Bless the poor in spirit and show them your kingdom with your eyes. Protect. Inspire. Comfort. Provide. Heal. Teach. Grow. Mold.

I pray all of this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen