Thursday Devotional - All-Knowing God and Job’s Everything (10/10/24)

Remember Job’s vindication from last week? Not only did God vindicate Job before his friends, but He also restored his health and replaced his family and property. I couldn’t find in the Bible where it specifically stated God healed Job, but other details imply he was healed. For instance, people weren’t to offer sacrifices until after their leprosy, disease or other “uncleanness” was healed and a period of cleansing had taken place. So, it seems God healed Job when He came and spoke to Job and his three friends because at the end God asked Job to pray and make sacrifices for his three friends. Plus, Job resumed and enjoyed life like he had before.  

Job 42:10-17      ¹⁰ After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before. ¹¹ All his brothers and sisters and everyone who had known him before came and ate with him in his house. They comforted and consoled him over all the trouble the Lord had brought on him, and each one gave him a piece of silver and a gold ring.

¹² The Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen and a thousand donkeys. ¹³ And he also had seven sons and three daughters. ¹⁴ The first daughter he named Jemimah, the second Keziah and the third Keren-Happuch. ¹⁵ Nowhere in all the land were there found women as beautiful as Job’s daughters, and their father granted them an inheritance along with their brothers.

¹⁶ After this, Job lived a hundred and forty years; he saw his children and their children to the fourth generation. ¹⁷ And so Job died, an old man and full of years.

Not only did God replace all that Job lost (to the exact number of sons and daughters), but God gave back double his fortune and livestock! If you remember from Job 1:2-3       ² He had seven sons and three daughters, ³ and he owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred donkeys, and had a large number of servants. He was the greatest man among all the people of the East.

I would guess that when it says in Job 42:12 “The Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part” that it includes Job’s spiritual relationship with God. If Job was so trusting of and loyal to God before, how much more rich his relationship must have been after! He certainly had no doubt that EVERYTHING comes from God. God is the only All-knowing, Almighty, Sovereign Creator and sustainer of the universe!!!!!

How might truly believing that also affect your and my life? I think that if I truly believe everything comes from God, then I’ll be humble in seasons of ease and plenty and I’ll be content to trust God in seasons of hardship.

I pray we’ve all grown in a deeper understanding of God as we’ve watched Job these last 16 weeks! May the truths encourage and comfort you and me as we go through the highs and lows in life.

Thursday Devotional - All-Knowing God and Job’s Vindication (10/3/24)

God’s visit was surely life-altering for Job and his friends! God’s response was purposeful, even though it didn’t answer all of Job’s questions. God did not explain why Job experienced one tragedy after another. However, God did vindicate Job before his condemning friends.

Job 42:7-9 After the Lord had said these things to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “I am angry with you and your two friends, because you have not spoken the truth about me, as my servant Job has. ⁸ So now take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and sacrifice a burnt offering for yourselves. My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your folly. You have not spoken the truth about me, as my servant Job has.” ⁹ So Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite did what the Lord told them; and the Lord accepted Job’s prayer.

Where are you and I wanting to see vindication (whether for ourselves or for others)? Let’s trust God’s timing, without running ahead and taking things into our own hands.

Thursday Devotional - All-Knowing God and Job’s Humble Response (9/26/24)

 This week, Joe and I spent hours working through a school situation with one of our kids. There have been differing stories. As we’ve prayed for wisdom and truth to be revealed, it still hasn’t been clear exactly what happened. I want all the people involved to be able to know and believe the truth! I realize that might not happen. In acknowledging God’s sovereignty over the situation, I want to trust God with the outcome.

When Job finally hears from God, he doesn’t get all his questions answered, either. Instead, throughout Job chapters 38-41, the All-knowing and Almighty God details out various aspects of Creation that only He understands and controls. I imagine He spoke with a majestic and thunderous voice through the storm!

In response, Job spoke briefly in the middle and at the end of God’s discourse.

Job 40:1-10 The Lord said to Job:

² “Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him?
    Let him who accuses God answer him!”

³ Then Job answered the Lord:

⁴ “I am unworthy—how can I reply to you?
    I put my hand over my mouth.
⁵ I spoke once, but I have no answer—
    twice, but I will say no more.”

⁶ Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm:

⁷ “Brace yourself like a man;
    I will question you,
    and you shall answer me.

⁸ “Would you discredit my justice?
    Would you condemn me to justify yourself?
⁹ Do you have an arm like God’s,
    and can your voice thunder like his?
¹⁰ Then adorn yourself with glory and splendor,
    and clothe yourself in honor and majesty…

Job 42:1-6 Then Job replied to the Lord:

² “I know that you can do all things;
    no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
³ You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’
    Surely I spoke of things I did not understand,
    things too wonderful for me to know.

⁴ “You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak;
    I will question you,
    and you shall answer me.’
⁵ My ears had heard of you
    but now my eyes have seen you.
⁶ Therefore I despise myself
    and repent in dust and ashes.”

Job rightly and humbly acknowledged God’s might, sovereignty, and wisdom! His only response was that of worship and repentance. He asked no further questions. He knew God was real, active, powerful, and in control.

In Joe’s and my situation with our kid, we can humbly acknowledge our rightful place before God, too. He’s aware of the situation, in control and can be trusted with the outcome. Instead of focusing on the resolution we want, we can ask God to help us and our kids humbly learn, grow and move forward for His purposes.

With what situation in your life will you humbly surrender to our All-knowing God? 

Thursday Devotional - All-Knowing God and His Timing (9/19/24)

"Stupid!" "Idiot!" That is what some of the teen girls were calling the other younger girls at the new equestrian center my daughter, Sarah, tried out last weekend. She loved her time with the horses, but she was quite bothered by the interactions of the teen helpers.

Job’s friends weren’t any nicer! They continued to crush and attack him with words (Job 19:2-3). Job aptly called them “miserable comforters” (Job 16:2). He continued to converse back and forth with them, only to anger each other even more. Job ended by stating in chapter 31 that he can’t think of any horrible secret sin that he committed. To that, the three friends stopped talking because “they had found no way to refute Job, and yet had condemned him” (Job 32:3b). However, a fourth younger man opened his mouth and gave a LONG discourse admonishing Job and attempting to speak for God (Job chapters 32-37).   

Enter God! I can only imagine the fearful trembling of Job and his friends!!!

Job 38:1-5 Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm. He said:

² “Who is this that obscures my plans
    with words without knowledge?
³ Brace yourself like a man;
    I will question you,
    and you shall answer me.

⁴ “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?
    Tell me, if you understand.
⁵ Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know!
    Who stretched a measuring line across it?
⁶ On what were its footings set,
    or who laid its cornerstone—
⁷ while the morning stars sang together
    and all the angels shouted for joy?

Job had pleaded to speak with God and God finally appeared! God’s timing is always perfect for His purposes and doesn’t always fit into our desired timetable. If God had come right away when Job first pleaded, then we would not have his example of continued trust in God, even when everyone and everything around Job was against him.

With what do you and I need to trust God’s timing?

Thursday Devotional - All-Knowing God and Job’s Confidence (9/12/24)

 Job still doesn’t have answers and his friends keep adding heaps of ridicule to his already tormented mental and physical state. He calls them to be silent. He doesn’t need to talk to them, but directly to His Creator!

Job 13:1-5, 15-19 “My eyes have seen all this,
    my ears have heard and understood it.
² What you know, I also know;
    I am not inferior to you.
³ But I desire to speak to the Almighty
    and to argue my case with God.
⁴ You, however, smear me with lies;
    you are worthless physicians, all of you!
⁵ If only you would be altogether silent!
    For you, that would be wisdom.

¹⁵  Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him;
    I will surely defend my ways to his face.
¹⁶ Indeed, this will turn out for my deliverance,
    for no godless person would dare come before him!
¹⁷ Listen carefully to what I say;
    let my words ring in your ears.
¹⁸ Now that I have prepared my case,
    I know I will be vindicated.
¹⁹ Can anyone bring charges against me?
    If so, I will be silent and die.

I don’t think Job is speaking out of pride. In chapter 9 he declared no one can compare to the Almighty God. I think he knows there is something he doesn’t know. He doesn’t believe God is smiting him for some unknown sin. Even though he feels like God is against him, he confirms that he has no hope in anyone or anything other than God. I think the Holy Spirit is speaking through him prophetically when he says “this will turn out for my deliverance” and “I know I will be vindicated.” Job is confident in who God is.

What is unsettling for you and me right now? Maybe it’s the political climate, a health concern, a family situation, or a rocky relationship – our Almighty God knows all about it and is in control. Like Job, you and I can remain confident in God, while still confused with the circumstances around us. 

Thursday Devotional - All-Knowing God and Sarcastic Job (9/5/24)

After the rebuke of his third friend, Job had enough! He responded with sarcasm.

 Job 12:1-4 Then Job replied:

² “Doubtless you are the only people who matter,
    and wisdom will die with you!
³ But I have a mind as well as you;
    I am not inferior to you.
    Who does not know all these things?

⁴ “I have become a laughingstock to my friends,
    though I called on God and he answered—
    a mere laughingstock, though righteous and blameless!

 Job sarcastically pointed out to his friends that they were not the only ones who knew anything. He then firmly (and without sarcasm) told them they weren’t superior. He acknowledged that God had answered his prayers. He knew God heard him and had responded, even if he didn’t get his desired outcome. He also went on to declare God’s sovereignty.

Job 12:13-17      “To God belong wisdom and power;
    counsel and understanding are his.
¹⁴ What he tears down cannot be rebuilt;
    those he imprisons cannot be released.
¹⁵ If he holds back the waters, there is drought;
    if he lets them loose, they devastate the land.
¹⁶ To him belong strength and insight;
    both deceived and deceiver are his.
¹⁷ He leads rulers away stripped
    and makes fools of judges.

Even the most humanly wise person can be foolish. Job’s friends were probably some of the most prominent people of his day, and yet they were grossly ignorant. Job knew only God was all-knowing. Thankfully, Job didn’t base his understanding of God on the “wise” or foolish people around him. Job knew God is in ultimate control of the rise and fall of anyone, any nation or anything.

As you and I interact with those around us, let’s remember that only God is all-knowing, sovereign and fully trustworthy. Even the smartest people around us can be ludicrous, like Job’s friends. The next time you and I are wrongly accused, we can cling to what is true about God.

Thursday Devotional - All-Knowing God and Rebuking Zophar (8/22/24)

Now we meet Job’s third friend, Zophar! We’ve heard Eliphaz start with encouragement and end with ignorant talk. Bildad jumped right in with telling Job what God would or wouldn’t do. Zophar is more like Bildad. He skips over any encouragement and starts immediately with rebuke.

Job 11:1-3, 7-9, 14-19 Then Zophar the Naamathite replied:

² “Are all these words to go unanswered?
    Is this talker to be vindicated?
³ Will your idle talk reduce others to silence?
    Will no one rebuke you when you mock?

⁷ “Can you fathom the mysteries of God?
    Can you probe the limits of the Almighty?
⁸ They are higher than the heavens above—what can you do?
    They are deeper than the depths below—what can you know?
⁹ Their measure is longer than the earth
    and wider than the sea.

¹⁴ if you put away the sin that is in your hand
    and allow no evil to dwell in your tent,
¹⁵ then, free of fault, you will lift up your face;
    you will stand firm and without fear.
¹⁶ You will surely forget your trouble,
    recalling it only as waters gone by.
¹⁷ Life will be brighter than noonday,
    and darkness will become like morning.
¹⁸ You will be secure, because there is hope;
    you will look about you and take your rest in safety.
¹⁹ You will lie down, with no one to make you afraid,
    and many will court your favor.

Zophar was correct that the All-knowing, Almighty God cannot be completely understood and figured out by man. So, why does Zophar proceed to tell Job what God will do if Job repents of his sin? How can he say with complete confidence that God will restore Job’s health, happiness, power, security and fame?

Zophar’s rebuke was not from or of God. There are times to rebuke, but we need to make sure we go about it carefully and accurately, as Paul charged Timothy in II Timothy 4:2 "Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction." (Side note – we just finished studying II Timothy as a family last night and I realized how much of the book could be used to counter rebuke Job’s friends! 😊)

It’s impossible to know and explain everything about God, but He has revealed certain aspects of Himself through the Bible. Let’s carefully study, apply and share those truths with others so we aren’t a Zophar. Lord, help us to be a true encouragement to the believers around us and to know when and how to appropriately rebuke, when necessary.

Thursday Devotional - All-Knowing God versus Mercy Pleading Job (8/15/24)

With several close Olympic races and competitions, I know there were numerous challenges made to various results. It’s heartbreaking when it seems the judges were unjust in their scoring. Appeals are made when there is a chance that a replay or review might alter the results.

In Job’s situation, he knew an appeal to the all-knowing and all-powerful God didn’t stand a chance. God didn’t make a mistake. Job couldn’t argue he was completely blameless and upright. Job didn’t think he “deserved” the hardship, but he knew his only plea could be for mercy.

Job 9:1-10 and 14-15   Then Job replied:

² “Indeed, I know that this is true.
    But how can mere mortals prove their innocence before God?
³ Though they wished to dispute with him,
    they could not answer him one time out of a thousand.
⁴ His wisdom is profound, his power is vast.
    Who has resisted him and come out unscathed?
⁵ He moves mountains without their knowing it
    and overturns them in his anger.
⁶ He shakes the earth from its place
    and makes its pillars tremble.
⁷ He speaks to the sun and it does not shine;
    he seals off the light of the stars.
⁸ He alone stretches out the heavens
    and treads on the waves of the sea.
⁹ He is the Maker of the Bear and Orion,
    the Pleiades and the constellations of the south.
¹⁰ He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed,
    miracles that cannot be counted.

¹⁴ “How then can I dispute with him?
    How can I find words to argue with him?
¹⁵ Though I were innocent, I could not answer him;
    I could only plead with my Judge for mercy.

Job had a better understanding of God than his friends did. He knew none of them were totally righteous and without blame. He knew God was the only perfect, all-knowing and all-powerful One. God created everything and could decide exactly what happened to His creation.

God doesn’t answer to us, but we answer to Him. None of us deserve anything, but by His grace and mercy He extends blessings! His offer of eternal life through Jesus Christ is totally undeserved and the greatest gracious blessing! Will you join me today in praising God for His mercy? Like Job, I don’t want to plea for His justice, but for His grace and mercy!    

Thursday Devotional - All-Knowing God and Bungled Bildad (8/8/24)

Here comes Job’s second friend, Bildad! He doesn’t start out as encouraging as Eliphaz, Job’s first friend to speak (back in chapter 4). He’s just as ignorant as Eliphaz, though, and goes even further in claiming to know what God will and won’t do! 

Job 8:1-7   Then Bildad the Shuhite replied:

² “How long will you say such things?
    Your words are a blustering wind.
³ Does God pervert justice?
    Does the Almighty pervert what is right?
⁴ When your children sinned against him,
    he gave them over to the penalty of their sin.
⁵ But if you will seek God earnestly
    and plead with the Almighty,
⁶ if you are pure and upright,
    even now he will rouse himself on your behalf
    and restore you to your prosperous state.
⁷ Your beginnings will seem humble,
    so prosperous will your future be.

Bildad was correct that God doesn’t pervert justice. However, he was incorrect to assume that all suffering is a direct result of a person’s sin. He also preached a prosperity gospel – that if Job was truly upright, then God would lavish prosperity on him.

Only God is all-knowing. We can’t speak for Him. We can speak about Him. We can share about the truths from His Word and His unchanging attributes. God doesn’t need us to defend Him. He can defend Himself. He does desire us to declare Him.

I don’t want to be a bungled mess, like Bildad, but a faithful proclaimer of God’s truths.

Lord, help us not try to speak for you, but to point others to earnestly seek you for your unique purposes for them.

Thursday Devotional - All-Knowing God and Confused Job (8/1/24)

Pranks are done on enemies and friends. Sometimes it is hard to tell whether a prank was intended to be mean or funny. My Mom was re-telling a prank some fellow campers played on her when she was a kid (putting sand in her sleeping bag). She first thought it was kids being mean, but later realized they were teasing her as a friend.

God doesn’t play pranks. However, sometimes what we experience in life is hard to understand. It may seem like He is treating us more like an enemy than a friend. It may seem like He doesn’t care or that He is angry with us, but it usually is for a much bigger purpose. We often see and live short-sighted. 

As wise as Job was, he was still perplexed by his tragic life circumstances and physical torment. He felt like God was treating him more like an enemy than a friend. He took these complaints and questions directly to God.

Job 7:7, 11-16, 19-21  Remember, O God, that my life is but a breath;
    my eyes will never see happiness again.

¹¹ “Therefore I will not keep silent;
    I will speak out in the anguish of my spirit,
    I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.
¹² Am I the sea, or the monster of the deep,
    that you put me under guard?
¹³ When I think my bed will comfort me
    and my couch will ease my complaint,
¹⁴ even then you frighten me with dreams
    and terrify me with visions,
¹⁵ so that I prefer strangling and death,
    rather than this body of mine.
¹⁶ I despise my life; I would not live forever.
    Let me alone; my days have no meaning…

¹⁹ Will you never look away from me,
    or let me alone even for an instant?
²⁰ If I have sinned, what have I done to you,
    you who see everything we do?
Why have you made me your target?
    Have I become a burden to you?
²¹ Why do you not pardon my offenses
    and forgive my sins?
For I will soon lie down in the dust;
    you will search for me, but I will be no more.”

Job was extremely confused and asked God about it. Our All-knowing God can handle our honest complaints, questions, and confusion. He will provide His answers in His time, just as He did for Job (at the end of the book in chapters 38-42).

We may wonder if God is listening, what good He could possibly bring from a terrible situation or why He doesn’t step in and address evil. The next time you and I are confused, let’s respectfully take our questions to God. We can look to the All-knowing God and His Word for answers or direction in the waiting.

Thursday Devotional - All-Knowing God and Honorable Job (7/25/24)

Acting with complete integrity and honor is godly and of high value. Joe and I pray regularly for help to instill excellent character in our children. In fact, this week we reminded them that their relationship with God was far more important than doing well in all of this week’s swim and dive competitions.

Speaking of integrity and honor, Job had exceptional character. Yet, his friends quickly forgot. After Eliphaz’s ignorant speech in chapters 4-5, Job responded with a serious defense.

Job 6:14-15a, 21-24, 28-30

“Anyone who withholds kindness from a friend
    forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
¹⁵ But my brothers are as undependable as intermittent streams,
    
²¹ Now you too have proved to be of no help;
    you see something dreadful and are afraid.
²² Have I ever said, ‘Give something on my behalf,
    pay a ransom for me from your wealth,
²³ deliver me from the hand of the enemy,
    rescue me from the clutches of the ruthless’?

²⁴ “Teach me, and I will be quiet;
    show me where I have been wrong.
²⁸ “But now be so kind as to look at me.
    Would I lie to your face?
²⁹ Relent, do not be unjust;
    reconsider, for my integrity is at stake.
³⁰ Is there any wickedness on my lips?
    Can my mouth not discern malice?

Job called his friends undependable and unhelpful! Yes!!! Job had never taken advantage of them, lied or been unjust. In fact, from this passage, it seems he never even asked them for help. Yet, they didn’t defend his integrity and questioned his character.

It’s devastating when those closest to a person question upright character. Humans are not all-knowing. Only God sees and knows everything. He knew all about Job and knows all about you and me. Let’s seek honorable character in God’s eyes, no matter what others perceive.

Thursday Devotional - All-Knowing God versus Ignorant Eliphaz (7/18/24)

Have you ever had a friend try to give you encouragement or helpful advice that was not helpful, encouraging or even true?

Job’s friends started out well. They compassionately sat with him for 7 days and watched his misery in silence. After Job’s lament in chapter 3, one of his friends tried to speak encouragement.

Job 4:1-9   Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied:

² “If someone ventures a word with you, will you be impatient?
    But who can keep from speaking?
³ Think how you have instructed many,
    how you have strengthened feeble hands.
⁴ Your words have supported those who stumbled;
    you have strengthened faltering knees.
⁵ But now trouble comes to you, and you are discouraged;
    it strikes you, and you are dismayed.
⁶ Should not your piety be your confidence
    and your blameless ways your hope?

⁷ “Consider now: Who, being innocent, has ever perished?
    Where were the upright ever destroyed?
⁸ As I have observed, those who plow evil
    and those who sow trouble reap it.
⁹ At the breath of God they perish;
    at the blast of his anger they are no more.

Eliphaz recognized Job’s wise instruction to others and his help to the weak. However, he was confused by Job’s discouragement over his tragic circumstances. He didn’t understand why Job didn’t “know” that evil comes to those who do evil and innocent people don’t suffer.

Eliphaz needed to stop after verse 4. He could highlight the righteous acts he had seen, but he wasn’t all-knowing like God and able to truly explain why Job was experiencing such horrendous loss and pain. He was completely ignorant of all that had transpired between God and Satan.

Reading this reminded me that less is often better, especially when it comes to words! I can speak true and sincere encouragement from what I have seen and not give advice or offer speculation on things I haven’t seen and don’t know. Whether it’s commenting on world events, giving encouragement or offering advice, let’s prayerfully speak.

 

Proverbs 17:27-28 The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint,
    and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.

²⁸ Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent,
    and discerning if they hold their tongues.

I don’t want to be an ignorant friend like Eliphaz, but wise and discerning with my words! May we point others to our All-knowing God for His truth rather than our tainted understanding!   

Thursday Devotional - All-Knowing God versus Lamenting Job (7/11/24)

 I had a shooting stomach pain yesterday for about 30 minutes that was debilitating. As my stomach negatively reacted, I was reminded that I could still praise God for who He is while also asking for help and relief. It was hard not to start by calling out for help and stating the same thing over and over. It was helpful to remember His attributes of being All-knowing, able to use everything for His purposes, etc.

 

My temporary suffering was nothing compared to what Job experienced for days and maybe even weeks. Yet, as we learned a few weeks ago, he didn’t sin in what he said. He never cursed God, like Satan desired. He did curse his birth.

Job 3:1-4, 11-13, 20-21, 24-26      After this, Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth. ² He said:

³ “May the day of my birth perish,
    and the night that said, ‘A boy is conceived!’
⁴ That day—may it turn to darkness;
    may God above not care about it;
    may no light shine on it.

¹¹ “Why did I not perish at birth,
    and die as I came from the womb?
¹² Why were there knees to receive me
    and breasts that I might be nursed?
¹³ For now I would be lying down in peace;
    I would be asleep and at rest

²⁰ “Why is light given to those in misery,
    and life to the bitter of soul,
²¹ to those who long for death that does not come,
    who search for it more than for hidden treasure,

²⁴ For sighing has become my daily food;
    my groans pour out like water.
²⁵ What I feared has come upon me;
    what I dreaded has happened to me.
²⁶ I have no peace, no quietness;
    I have no rest, but only turmoil.”

It sounds as though there was no relief for Job, even in sleep. His pleas and laments are understandable. He wished for death, but he didn’t take things into his own hands. As he said in chapter 2 verse 10: “Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?”

The next time you and I face a painful or difficult situation, let’s remember God is always praiseworthy. He can also handle our questions and respectful laments. In the midst of it all, we can submit to His all-knowing care and timing, as Job did! 

Friday Devotional - All-Knowing God Brings Sympathetic Friends (6/28/24)

Have you ever been in so much pain that you couldn’t talk and couldn’t handle other people talking to you? I have been there a few times, but not for days on end, like Job!  

Job 2:11-13  ¹¹ When Job’s three friends, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite, heard about all the troubles that had come upon him, they set out from their homes and met together by agreement to go and sympathize with him and comfort him. ¹² When they saw him from a distance, they could hardly recognize him; they began to weep aloud, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads. ¹³ Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was.

I know the three friends didn’t stay sympathetic and didn’t remain an encouragement, but they started out well. They left their comforts to sit next to and watch Job’s misery. They didn’t just come and pay respects for 7 minutes but sat silently for 7 days and nights!

What kind of friend are you and I? Are we that selfless and sacrificial? Do we tell our friend we will pray for them and then move on with our day? I was convicted by the initial compassion of Job’s friends.

Proverbs 17:17   A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.

Let’s be a true friend to share in the joy and sorrow of others.

Thursday Devotional - All-Knowing God versus Wrong Satan (6/20/24)

Have you ever been right and your enemy wrong?? Did they come back and admit they were wrong and you were right?

Satan didn’t admit to God that God was right about Job. As we saw last week, Job didn’t curse God when everything he had was stripped away. Satan said he would, but he didn’t. This week, we’ll see Satan try again to prove God wrong.

 

Job 2:3-10 ³ Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason.”

⁴ “Skin for skin!” Satan replied. “A man will give all he has for his own life. ⁵ But now stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face.”

⁶ The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, he is in your hands; but you must spare his life.”

⁷ So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head. ⁸ Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes.

⁹ His wife said to him, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!”

¹⁰ He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?”

In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.

Satan lost again! Job didn’t curse God, even after his wife encouraged him to do the very thing Satan wanted.

Only God is all-knowing, omniscient, and always right! I had to admit to Edmund (our 7 year-old) yesterday that I was wrong. It was related to something we read in Job 7 that I had mis-remembered. We read it again and he was right and I was wrong.

Numerous truths and applications pop out of this section of Job. This time reading through it, though, the contrast between God and Satan really stood out.

It’s usually hard to admit when we are wrong. However, I would rather not be like Satan. The next time you and I are wrong, let’s be quick to admit it to ourselves, those around us and especially to God. He already knows, as our all-knowing God, so why not acknowledge it before Him?

Thursday Devotional - All-Knowing God versus Restricted Satan (6/13/24)

Satan is powerful, but his power has no comparison to God’s power. Satan is quite restricted and is always under God’s authority. The book of Job is definitely a clear picture of this.

Job 1:8-12 ⁸ Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.”

⁹ “Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. ¹⁰ “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. ¹¹ But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.”

¹² The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.”

Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.

Satan thinks he knows more than God???? I know many of you know what happens next. Satan does touch everything of Job’s except his wife and Job’s body (at least in the first chapter). Amazingly, and as our All-knowing God knew, Job doesn’t curse God.

Job 1:20-22        ²⁰ At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship ²¹ and said:

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
    and naked I will depart.
The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away;
    may the name of the Lord be praised.”

²² In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.

Wow! I don’t think worship of God would be my first response. In reading this passage together as a family last night, my kids agreed. However, Job knew God had all power and all authority. I was reminded that God is always worthy of praise as the All-knowing Father in Heaven! Nothing escapes His knowledge or happens outside His ultimate control.

How will you and I take encouragement from the fact that Satan is restricted and only God is all-knowing?