The End of My Words

3–5 minutes

The words of Job are ended.
JOB 31:40

It’s Day 11 of reading 365 days through the Bible in 2025. Today my reading is Job 29-31. And oh, I feel this passage in a deep way. All of it, from chapter 29 all the way through the last verse in chapter 31.

Old Job and me, we have something in common. I have spoken some of these very words into dark silence, and from what I can remember, there was seemingly no response to my rant. At least not an audible response. Silence. Lonely, and difficult, were the nature of these seasons of brokenness.

A tranquil sunset scene featuring trees and bushes in a landscaped area, with vibrant colors in the sky as the day transitions into night.

Someone might counter that no one has ever suffered loss, the likes of which Job suffered. And while that might be a true statement, comparison is not the point of this story. Rather, one of the greatest lessons from Job’s testimony reminds us of the words of Jesus. In this life we will all face trials and tribulations. Sooner or later, it’s a certainty, we will not leave this life without suffering pain and loss. So, there is no point of comparison, lest we show up in someone’s tragedy lacking compassion much like one of Job’s most unfortunate friends.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33

Suffering is personal. Pain is unique to every individual. Grief is experienced in all the variations of personality and character. There’s simply no place for degrees or judgment.

(“Oh, that I had someone to hear me!
    I sign now my defense—let the Almighty answer me;
    let my accuser put his indictment in writing.
³⁶Surely I would wear it on my shoulder,
    I would put it on like a crown.
³⁷I would give him an account of my every step;
    I would present it to him as to a ruler.)—
JOB 31:35-37

Oh, how I have cried this lament. “Why does no one listen? Lord, do You hear me? Are You there? Can anyone hear me?”

Silence.

A softly illuminated lantern is set among smooth pebbles in a dimly lit outdoor space.

How about you?

Have you ever cried, choked out a sob, or actually screamed into the sky such similar words of agony?

I can’t seem to put into adequate words the relief and peace that comes into my soul as I process the fact that God found it of good value and even necessary to include Job’s real raw emotional words in The Bible. God’s love letter to us explains the complexity of relationship, emotions, and our great need for reconciliation and restoration because our Creator wants us to know Him.

The words of Job are ended.

Have you ever come to the end of your words?

I have.

More than once, in my sanctification process, I’ve cried and wailed, and a time or two, I’ve even screamed my case before God until nothing was left. Dry bones. And at the end of my words, something miraculous took place. Surrender took root. The end of my words, in which I pleaded my case before our good, patient, and loving Father, is the moment in which His Sovereignty radiated through my gloom. The end of my words is the birthplace of my surrender to His will.

Have you ever had the utter delight to know a small child? And have you had the exasperating experience of needing to let that small child cry out her frustration? Have you held on and rocked and shshshhed this child with lullabies until this precious little soul came to the end of her words and tears, even while her shoulders shook?

Wails finally became silence. Peace filled the air. She finally grasped that she’s not the adult in the room, and her opinion, though valued, will not win the day because she is utterly loved. If you are familiar with this kind of love, well, then, you’ve experienced a glimpse of God’s love for you.

The end of our words is a good place. Find Jesus there. He’s waiting for you. He’s watching for you to raise the white flag of surrender. Jesus will embrace you, rock you, and wait while you cry it out. He’s a GOOD Shepherd that way…

Eyes on Jesus and Shine,

Lisa

Check out this video brought to you by The Bible Project for more commentary on the book of Job.

I’m reading 365 days chronologically through the Bible in 2025. The toolbox I’m using to help me accomplish my goal is The Bible Recap by Tara-Leigh Cobble. Let me know in the comments that you are reading along too.