Read Job 30 -- 33
In Today's Reading:
Job's proclamation of integrity; Elihu's accusations.
Verses for Today:
They push away my feet (trip me). . . . They mar (block) my path . . . they have no helper (no one restrains them). . . . Terrors are turned upon me. . . . my sinews take no rest (I am in continual pain). . . . I cry unto Thee (Lord), and Thou dost not hear me (30:12-17,20).
No one in biblical history, other than Christ, suffered so much humiliation and intense physical and emotional pain as Job. He had been a chief administrator in his country and had dwelt as a king (Job 29:25). He had delivered the poor [who] cried, and the fatherless, and him [who] had none to help him. . . . was eyes to the blind, and feet . . . to the lame. . . . was a father to the poor (29:12,15-16). Job listed 12 common sins that no one could accuse him of committing (31:1-40). Yet, in his time of need, no one expressed compassion or a kind word to him.
For Job, there seemed to be no end to the cruelty of the people who made his suffering even more painful and miserable. But, by far the most troubling to Job was that it seemed that God did not care and was not hearing his prayers.
This is when our faith is put to the test, for we walk by faith (2 Corinthians 5:7). Those who are spiritually-minded are not dependent upon the things which are seen (4:18) since their faith is in the Lord. We have no doubt that our God is living and He is guiding, providing, and protecting our lives even though we have never seen Him. Our faith does not originate from within us, but from the Word of God.
If we truly desire more faith, we will read the Source of faith. Faith [comes] by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17). The Holy Spirit speaks to us as we read His Word. You can count on the fact that, even when the answers to our pressing needs seem to be ignored, His time is always best.
Job's three friends judged his relationship to God by his circumstances, just as the world and even some Christians do today, often finding fault with their degree of wealth or health. Job's friends eventually ceased to answer Job. They concluded that Job was righteous in his own eyes (self-righteous) (Job 32:1). But Job did not allow them to destroy his faith.
As we consider Job, whom God had declared the most perfect man on earth (1:8), dare we complain or be surprised when we are falsely criticized? The most devoted Christian often suffers offensive indignities and humiliation from thoughtless, inconsiderate people -- even from some who profess to be friends.
Christ, the perfect Son of God, was shamefully slandered and abused on many occasions. He too reminds us: If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you (John 15:20). For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal (2 Corinthians 4:17-18).
Christ Revealed:
Through the ridicule and affliction which Job suffered (Job 30:10-11). Christ was afflicted and spat upon. Pilate . . . delivered Jesus, when he had scourged Him, to be crucified (Mark 15:15-20; also Isaiah 50:6; 53:2-5; Matthew 27:26-30; John 19:1-3).
Word Studies:
30:2 whereto = how; 30:4 mallows = plants of the salt marsh; 30:14 as a wide breaking in = like a flood; 30:27 My bowels boiled = My heart is troubled; prevented = have overtaken; 30:29 dragons = jackals or wolves; 31:10 grind unto = be a slave; 31:40 cockle = weeds; 32:19 belly = heart, mind.
Prayer Needs:
Government Official: Sen. Dianne Feinstein (CA) · Pray for one more person to read through the Bible · Country: Kenya (29 million) in eastern Africa · Major languages: English and Swahili · Religious freedom · 46% Protestant; 27% Roman Catholic; 17% belief in mystical powers; 6% Muslim; 3% Eastern Orthodox · Prayer Suggestion: Do not worry about your material needs (Matthew 6:25-30).
Optional Reading: Ephesians 5
Memory Verse for the Week: 2 Timothy 3:17