God is not a mortal like me, so I cannot argue with him or take him to trial. If only there were a mediator between us, someone who could bring us together. The mediator could make God stop beating me, and I would no longer live in terror of his punishment. Then I could speak to him without fear, but I cannot do that in my own strength. (Job 9:32-35) 

Read: Job 8:1-11:20, 1 Corinthians 15:1-28, Psalm 38:1-22, Proverbs 21:28-29 

Relate: What if an alien were to come visit earth? I was reading a book called Captivate. It is all about communication and being able to understand how to understand the motives and emotions of others so that we will be better able to speak “their language”. Early on the author mentions a study done where even those who lived in the most remote and secluded parts of the earth cut off from all outside influence and technology were able to identify common emotions. Their facial expressions for happy, sad, angry, annoyed, etc are exactly the same. No matter who we are, no matter where we live, no matter how we were raised, there are some common traits we share through genetics and behavioral evolution. No matter how diverse our culture, background, and understanding, there is a basic level of communication that can easily be identified and built upon.

So what about the aliens? What is some of their common facial expressions are the exact opposite of ours? what if we are looking at their faces while for them emotion and expression is all shown through their arms and feet? I mean, Star Trek and Star Wars aside, whose to say they even have two arms and legs? How difficult would it be to try and communicate with something that has virtually no commonalities with us?

React: I don’t think we even begin to understand how wise Job is in what he is saying. Far more than any hypothetical aliens, God is wholly other. He is not limited in any physical, intellectual, or chronological way. He is three times holy (repetition = emphasis in scripture. Ie when Jesus says, “verily, verily I say…” he is saying, “now listen really close…”) and we are fallen sinners. He isn’t just good, or truth, or just, or loving… He gives definition to those ideals. And we… there is no comparison. So how can we communicate? How can we find common ground? How can we even stand in His presence? Like Job, I must say, “I cannot do that in my own strength.”

There is a mediator. The One who is fully God came and became fully man. He knows what we are experiencing even if our struggles are as great as Job’s. Because of this mediator we now have access to God. What Job cried out for only in hope and desperation, we can now rejoice in with confidence. There is a mediator. As another writer puts it: “This [Mediator] understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” (Hebrews 4:15-16) 

Respond:

Dear God,
Thank You for providing a way to the Father. Thank You for allowing access. Thank You for being our Mediator. Without You we have no hope. Without the cross, there is no bridge. But You did came. You entered our world so that we, in turn, could join Yours. There are no words to express how grateful I am.
Amen