If it were I, I would appeal to God

Job 5:8-16 If it were I, I would appeal to God
In Korea, there is a song titled 'If the sea were land'. It means ; If the sea were land, I would go there, and I would meet the person whom I want to see, I would eat what I want to eat, I would do what I want to do. But I cannot do because there is the sea.
Someone may say, "Why don't you go there by airplane ?" But it is not easy for us to go to Korea because the foreign life's situation blocks us. Someone may say, "Canada is better place than Korea. Why do you want to go to Korea ?" But think ; If there is the person whom I strongly miss in Korea, the situation will be different.
When I was in Korea, I hated the heavy rainfall of summer season. But now I even miss it. It looks like a movie scene to me now. Sometimes I strongly want to go to Korea. But the situation of foreign life and the sea block me. That is our heartache especially to the first generation of immigrants.
I have what I have to do in Korea. But I am not sure that I can do it by myself. That's why I felt uneasy. With uneasiness I prayed to God, "Lord, what shall I do in this situation ?" And I read today's scripture, saying, "If it were I, I would appeal to God."(Job 5:8) This word was from Job's friend when Job was in big troubles.
Brothers and sisters, if you face big troubles that you cannot solve by yourself, what do you do ? Do you only shed tears and give up your life ? Or do you complain ? Or do you ask for help from others ? People try the various ways when they are in troubles. But today's scripture says, "If it were I. would appeal to God."
It means ; When we face troubles, we'd better come to God and confess our situation to God. Our God is not the dead but the living God who gives life to the dead, heals the sick, and performs wonders and miracles that cannot be fathomed. We have to know that God loves me, he is my God, and he is my Father.
Therefore confess our situation when we are in troubles and sorrow. Bible says, "Why do you say, O Jacob, and complain, O Israel, 'My way is hidden from the Lord ; my cause is disregarded by my God' ? Do you not know ? Have you not heard ? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He gives strength to the weary, and increase the power of the weak."(Isaiah 40:27-29)
There is a king Hezekiah in Judah. He did his best to God. But he became ill and was at the point of death. Then he turned his face to the wall and confessed his situation and prayed to the Lord with tears. Then God answered, "I have heard your prayer and seen your tears. I will add fifteen years to your life. And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of Assyria. I will defend this city."
After his illness and recovery, he confessed, "I said, 'In the prime of my life must I go through the gates of death and be robbed of the rest of my years ?' I cried like a swift or thrush, I moaned like a mourning dove. My eyes grew weak as I looked to the heavens. I am troubled ; O Lord, come to my aid ! Restore me to health and let me live. Surely it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish. ? In your love you kept me from the pit of destruction ; you have put all my sins behind your back. The Lord will save me, and we will sing with stringed instruments all the days of our lives in the temple of the Lord."(Isaiah 38:10, 14, 16-17, 20)
Brothers and sisters, we sometimes face hardship like Job or Hezekiah. Foreign land Canada is not exception. But at that time confess our circumstances to God. God will save us just like he saved Job and Hezekiah. God is not a million miles away from us, but here with us. He looks at us. Therefore appeal to God. He has the power and ability to solve our problems.
Do not shed tears even if the sea blocks you. Look upward to God. He exists there even beyond the sea. He works there even beyond the sea. God never shakes off our hands. He is no heartless but compassionate God. God performs wonders and miracles when we appeal to God. Amen !