Who has a claim against me that I must pay? Everything under heaven belongs to me.
Job 41:11 (NIV)
LORD God, in this verse You ask a profound question: who do I owe? As I am navigating through life “lifing” I know that I have on several occasions, like Job, asked You why are You doing this to me. Why are You sending family issues, financial issues, work issues, “life” issues? Whether it is sickness, unexpected bills, auto troubles, employer challenges; they seem to keep coming. Why? And then that kicker thought comes to my mind: “Haven’t I served You faithfully? Haven’t I sacrificed my life for You? Why are You doing this to me?” And when I start to feel sorry for myself I foolishly say, “I thought You loved me…”
Then You remind, like this morning, that You owe me nothing. What’s more, You remind me that everything I have and am is Yours. Period. All that I am and have is because You freely gave. All that I have and all that I am are mine because You are a God of infinite grace and mercy! It was not via a transaction or quid pro quo. No. It was and is an eternal grace deposit into my broken, shallow, and empty life. The God of all mercies and God of all comfort has seen fit to pour into my life grace upon grace!
Forgive me for all those times that I have treated my relationship with You like a “tit-for-tat” exchange, believing that if I do this You will do that. Forgive me for all of my notions of entitlement or expectations that You will “hook me up” because I am in relationship with You. Like Job, I repent of those thoughts that You are obligated to give me answers. Instead, like a child, Your child, I come to You, and in holy reverence submit to You, knowing that You are God and holding to the eternal truth that You love me with an everlasting love.
LORD, thank You for owing me nothing but giving me everything in Christ Jesus (2 Peter 1:3)! Continue to show me where I treat my relationship with You like it is transactional, and continue to remind me of Your amazing grace! I worship You not because of what You’ve done but because of Who You are!