Who Do You Think You Are?!

Do you think you have a right to have God answer your questions? Do you question God’s right to oversee and direct His creation without question? Many people demand why God allows, what we view as ‘great injustices’, to happen.

In the account of the life of Job, we see such a case. Job had wrapped himself in his own righteousness as he suffered the “fiery darts” of his adversary, Satan. Job, having reached his breaking point, demanded an account from God:

“Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.” (Job 40:4)

What a profound conclusion Job has observed about himself after his request was answered. To declare “I am vile” was not some kind of self-loathing uttered in a state of deep depression that Job was experiencing. It was a recognition of the righteousness of God. His now “open eyes” enabled him to see God in all His holiness.

When God revealed Himself to Job he was humbled and broken but that is not the end of the encounter. God has a purpose in revealing His righteousness. It is not to make you self-loathing but repentant. Job, after experiencing God’s revelation, said:

“I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee. Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” (Job 42:1-6)  

It is when we see God for who and what He is that we realize how pitiful we are. The prophet Isaiah, speaking to the coming of the Saviour and how we will respond to His appearing, said this about how we will see ourselves in God’s presence:

“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” (Isa 64:6)

If you see yourself as somewhat of a good person; you are sorely mistaken. You are an “unclean thing”. There is not one redeeming thing you can claim that will give you a right standing with God. When you present God with evidence of your worthiness to be in His presence you wrap yourself with “filthy rags.” The words “filthy rags” is more than just a rag that is dirty or not fully clean; these words describe a rag that is ritually impure. This rag, once it has been soiled, must be destroyed and never be used again.

Job’s declaration “I am vile” was a statement of fact. Job was a filthy rag unable to stand in the presence of God. Job had wrapped himself in his own righteousness and demanded God to answer his questions. When God made Himself known to Job his position changed from a self-righteous demander to a pitiful sinner. 

How do you see yourself? Are you attempting to find your righteousness in a religious discipline or perhaps doing the best you can to live a life that will not be harshly judged by God? When you stand before God, and you will, what will you say in your defense?

To see yourself as a “filthy rag” and call on the name of Jesus for His deliverance is your only hope. Call on Jesus today and you no longer will be a rag that must be discarded but rather will become the friend of Jesus and a child of God.