(3) Is it good unto thee that thou shouldest oppress, that thou shouldest despise the work of thine hands, and shine upon the counsel of the wicked? (4) Hast thou eyes of flesh? or seest thou as man seeth? (5) Are thy days as the days of man? are thy years as man's days, (6) That thou enquirest after mine iniquity, and searchest after my sin?
Reader! you and I may derive much good from this enquiry of Job, if so be the SPIRIT of JESUS graciously lead out our minds, when at any time under affliction, to a similar enquiry, "Show me wherefore thou contendest with me; " if in humbleness of soul we refer our cause to GOD, is a blessed plea of the seeking soul under affliction. We are bad judges in our own concerns. And therefore, if like Job we conclude that JESUS doth not contend for nothing, we may well suspect our own hearts, if at any time the LORD speaks in frowning providences, afflicting dispensations, dead ordinances, and the like. Mark this down, my brother, as a sweet token of grace, when we not only desire to have our souls abide by GOD'S trials, but fearing lest evil should be lurking beneath, we desire to be tried. Search me, O GOD, (said one of old) try me, and know my thoughts. And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalms 139:23-24.