Pastor’s Bible Reading Schedule:
Job 29-30
Saturday: Jeremiah 12-16
Sunday: Mark 9-10
I love this illustration that I read. Thomas Edison, the prolific American inventor, suffered a devastating loss one night in December 1914. His laboratory and facility were damaged by fire. Most of his projects were destroyed. Almost one million dollars’ worth of equipment was lost. In addition, Edison lost the records of much of his life’s work. The next morning, walking about the charred embers of his broken hopes and dashed dreams, the inventor said, “There is value in disaster. All our mistakes are burned up. Now we can start anew.” This quote comes from the same man who was asked why he didn’t get discouraged when he tried and failed 1000 different ways to invent the electric bulb. He simply said, “I didn’t fail, I simply know 1000 ways it does not work!”
Job had suffered a devastating personal loss like Thomas Edison-only worse. Both lost valuable personal property when least expected. But even worse, Job lost his children and his health. Yet despite this severe loss, Job initially responded with confident faith in God. He understood that God is free to give and to take away since all belongs to him anyway. But in the days that followed, his faith wavered, and the pain settled in. Weakened and broken, Job poured out his heart to God, seeking relief. However, no relief was to be found, and nothing could alleviate his pain.
In chapter 30, Job lamented his sorrowful condition. Having described his happy days of the past (Job 29), he catalogued the pains he had suffered before God. He recorded his many areas of personal sorrow. This chapter portrays a severely hurting and depressed man.
Prayer Requests:
Personal
- Lord, please help me to be sympathetic to those who you place in my life who are hurting.
- Lord, please help me to remember the temporary nature of this life and strive to be faithful to you each day.
- Lord, please help me to look for the positive truths in every difficult situation. Help me to let You build my theology and not circumstances.
Political
- Representative Mary Whiteford – District 080 – Allegan
- Representative Karen Whitsett – District 009 – Detroit
- Representative Robert Wittenberg – District 027 – Oak Park