The God reflected in the testimonies of the faithful in the Bible shows God as a living person. He invites his people into intimate relationship and dialogue about their life experiences. Thus, the expression of this living relationship also appears in various forms in the Bible. Whether it is in praise of Him, admiration for His works, questions about life, or even strong protests against His actions, they are presented and written about so vividly in the Bible. Isn't this something surprising? Christians in Indonesia are used to the teaching that receive everything from Him and be still. That is very different from what is shown in the Bible, including Job's cry in our reading this time.

Ayub had experienced great suffering. Everything good had been taken from him. Physical as well as mental suffering was the new reality of his life. Job challenged the prevailing conservative opinion represented by his friends. If suffering came then it was definitely God's punishment for the mistakes and sins committed by man. Job desperately opposed that opinion by asserting his innocence. Now Job seemed to be litigating with God. He presented God as so cruel that He did not hesitate to attack him. The strength of God's hand is mentioned in verse 21 to illustrate God's power that is so extraordinary and unreachable by humans.

God is even described by Job as using natural forces to torment him. God lifted Job up using the wind that was under His power. The purpose was to bring him down from a high place. The metaphorical imagery of destruction was so close to Job. It was only a matter of time before death came to Job as the final end of the fate of every living being.

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Ayub questioned everything that happened to him in juxtaposition to his past glory. According to the teachings of wisdom, a good and godly way of life brings prosperity. Job reflected on his life and felt that this teaching was not happening to him. In verses 24-26, he remembers his former glory and his compassion for his fellow man. However, when he expected good, evil came instead. He expected light, but darkness came. The pain of his life was unbearable. Though he played the harp and flute in praise, it was the pain that emanated from those instruments.

Maybe some of us feel that Job went too far in responding to his suffering. His cry to God seems too loud and inappropriate for a creature with limitations. Yet we see that God gave him the space to express all his fretting and complaining. God will eventually reveal Himself, but now is Job's chance to speak out. That is the picture of a living relationship. So if pain and misery are present in our lives, do not hesitate to cry out to Him. It signifies our full trust in Him. Remember that God is the only one we can fully rely on in all situations that occur.