Bible Pathways - June 15, 2008
Read Job 1 -- 4
Highlights In Today's Reading:
Job's life is a dramatic story of a wealthy but godly landowner attacked by the devil. He loses everything. It is also a witness to the rewards of trust and obedience in the faithfulness of God and even causes the death of Job's children. Then Satan is allowed to attack Job's body. See Job's first reaction (3:1) and that of his friend (Chapter 4). Eliphaz believes Job has sinned!
We are startled to find Satan in the presence of the Lord. But there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the Lord (2:1). He was there to slander and accuse a man who was perfect and upright, one that feared God, and eschewed evil (1:1,8; 2:3). Satan, the accuser of our brethren (Revelation 12:10), later used Job's "friends" to criticize, belittle, and discourage him.
Who can understand the heartache and sorrow of Job — the servant of the Lord who was stripped of family, possessions, and health? This suffering was not a misfortune or bad luck; nor was it punishment from God, as Job's friends supposed. All of Job's sufferings were the attacks of Satan, but God allowed them in order to bring Job into a closer relationship with Himself.
Job's wife was no encouragement for she found fault with God for all their problems and said: "You may as well curse God, and die (Job 2:9)." She too failed her opportunity of imparting God's tender love — of ministering comfort in Job's suffering and strengthening his confidence in God.
Only through submission to God could she obtain the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. . . . Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord (I Peter 3:4-6). A Sara will be a faithful helpmeet to her Abraham even when she is not clear as to why. I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. . . . Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man (I Corinthians 11:3,9).
Spiritual victories do not just happen; they are dependent upon one's faith in God and faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17). Apart from the indwelling power of His Spirit and His Word, all efforts to live a victorious Christian life are doomed to failure. To remain faithful in the midst of trials, we must develop a love for God's Word which creates a confident faith in Him.
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God. . . . and the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (Ephesians 6:13,17).
Thought for Today:
Often it is difficult to understand our circumstances or why we must go through a particular trial. It is then that we must trust in the Lord and not ourselves.
Christ Revealed:
In the conversation between Satan and God Almighty (Job 1:6-12). We can see the meaning of Christ's statement to Peter that Satan wanted to sift him as wheat (Luke 22:31). It is comforting to know that Satan cannot test us beyond the will of God.
Word Studies:
1:20 rent =b> tore; mantle =b> robe; 2:8 potsherd =b> piece of broken pottery; 3:16 untimely birth =b> stillborn; 3:24 roarings =b> cries, groanings; 4:2 assay =b> venture; 4:4 have upholden =b> have helped.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Shortwave Radio Broadcasts in memory of Iva Ann McElroy • Staff: Rita Guerra • Government Officials: Rep. Richard Larsen (WA) and Rep. Adam Smith (WA) • Country: Sudan (28.9 million) at the eastern end of the Sahara Desert • Major languages: Arabic and Nubian • Limited religious freedom • 70% Sunni Muslim; 19% Christian; 10% Traditional; 1% Other/None • Prayer Suggestion: Go to God in prayer with boldness and seek His grace and mercy (Hebrews 4:16).
Optional Reading: Galatians 4
Memory Verse for the Week: II Corinthians 1:9
