THE THIRD OPTION

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And you have shriveled me up, It has become a witness; And my infirmity rises up against me, It testifies to my face. Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven, And my advocate is on high.
Job 16:8‭, ‬19

¶A world that believes "you only get what you pay for" believes Job must have gotten what he deserved. Job finds himself indicted, not because of his wickedness, but because of his weakness. He's stuck. His dilemma is that he is unable to identify the wrongdoing that put him in this situation, but he is also unable to prove he's free from all guilt. All he can do is call upon heaven as his witness. In appealing to God, he will be surprised to find solid ground: God does not deal with us as we deserve. (Psalm 103: 10) Job is gradually becoming aware of a third option, rooted in the deep purposes of God: "God has saved us, ... not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus." (2 Timothy 1:9)

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