Suggested Bible Reading: Job 6-9
Devotional Thought:
Eliphaz ends his speech in chapter 5 with reminding Job that the same God who hurts also is a God who heals; therefore, he encouraged Job to bargain with God and strike a deal where God would restore all that Job had lost. “For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole. He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee.” (vs. 17-18) To some this may have seemed like good advise. However, we are never in a position to make a deal with God, and God is never in a situation where He needs to make a deal with anyone. The Devil’s charge regarding Job was that he only loves and serves you because he is blessed; therefore, if I take away his blessing, then he will curse you. God knew the character of Job and trusted him with this trial from Satan. It is a special promise to claim that God will never allow temptation that we cannot handle, and will with every temptation make a way to escape. (1 Cor. 10:13) Eliphaz’s advise played right into Satan’s scheme, “do whatever you need to do and say whatever you need to say in order to get back the life you had.” Unfortunately we have many Christians today who do right things simply to put the pressure on God to give them what they want. Christians must learn to do what is right simply because we love God and desire to bring glory to His name. Job responds to his friends by asking them to show a little more sympathy and understanding. (Job 6) He strives to explain how difficult the trial is and how much sorrow he is experiencing. He even admitted that he would rather die, than to humanly struggle through the heartbreak he is experiencing. (6:8-10) How sad that when we are going through struggles many times people would rather pass judgment rather than put themselves in our shoes and try to understand. Job tells his friends that their counsel was wrong and ineffective. In chapter 7, Job tells the Lord how miserable he is. Job recalls the brevity of life and how short a time we are really here. He explains to the Lord how he desires for the trial to end. Those of us who have read the rest of the book, know how Job grows through this trial and how he responds properly in the end; however, here Job is hurting so much that he is wondering why God would not just take his life rather than allow him to endure this level of hurt and grief. In chapters 8-9, Job is desirous of an opportuntity to defend his integrity before the Lord. He wants to find answers to why God would allow him to be tested at this level. Unfortunately for Job, his friends wanted to emphasize the judgment of God and His justice, but they never help Job to understand the wisdom, grace, and mercy of God. It is important for us to know if we have sinned against God, we will suffer the consequences of sin, but trials come to those who are striving to be faithful. God will demonstrate his grace and mercy to those who call upon Him.
Prayer Requests:
• Lord, please help me to trust you in trials. Please help me to be a friend who seeks to understand and sympathize with those who are going through deep waters. Please help me to not become a judge, but rather help me to be a true friend.
• Lord, thank you for your grace and mercy. It is so precious to know that my God knows and He cares about what happens to me in the sin cursed world in which I live.
• Lord, please help me to be honest regarding my actions and attitudes. Please help me to accept consequences for my sinful decisions, and help me to accept your wisdom for times when I have been faithful and righteous.