From the city people groan,
And the souls of the wounded cry for help;
Yet God does not pay attention to the offensiveness. (v. 12)

In this chapter, Job continues to rebuke God with his words, asserting that God does not intervene for the poor and needy. Evil people persist in their wicked deeds without facing consequences. Job implies that he could manage things better if he were in God’s position.

Because I saved the poor who cried for help, and the orphan who had no helper. (Job 29:12)

We see many unjust acts every day. It appears as if God does not want to punish the wicked. But God is not like us—He is eternal. The things we believe should happen now are, in fact, better if they happen later.

Then in the fourth generation they will return here, for the wrongdoing of the Amorite is not yet complete. (Genesis 15:16)

Those who reject predestination assert that God merely reacts to whatever we do. According to this view, God does not make plans and fulfill them; rather, He foresees events like a fortuneteller and responds to what will happen. People reject the doctrine of predestination because it means their actions are not counted as merits. Some individuals perform many “good” deeds, such as supporting charities, donating money to churches and seminaries, and more. However, they cannot earn their way into the kingdom of God. If salvation were based on merit, then the poor would be the most pitiful, as they cannot perform as many “good” works as the rich.

Interestingly, many Christians—even those raised in Reformed churches—believe that material prosperity is a sign of God’s blessing. Within their small communities, they compare themselves to one another in terms of children, careers, and wealth. The rich, having the means to do more “good” works, are often appointed to church offices.

However, the truly good work in God’s eyes is faith in Him—believing that God chose us before the foundation of the world, watched over us, cared for us, and made us His children by giving us the Holy Spirit so that we are righteous before Him. Despite various challenges and trials, we are not discouraged, because God is always with us. This assurance is so precious—it is incomparable to the riches that the wicked boast about in this world.

I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, so that He may be with you forever; the Helper is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him; but you know Him because He remains with you and will be in you. (John 14:16-17)

With our limited knowledge and insight, we often make mistakes by acting as if we were God—judging situations and people. All we can truly do is pray. We must not tell God what to do, as if He were a genie. Instead, we should ask Him for faith, wisdom, love, and patience. In our pride and ignorance, we are foolish and boastful.

As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years,
Or if due to strength, eighty years,
Yet their pride is only trouble and tragedy;
For it quickly passes, and we disappear.
Who understands the power of Your anger
And Your fury, according to the fear that is due You?
So teach us to number our days,
That we may present to You a heart of wisdom. (Psalm 90:10-12)