Highlights:
As Job responds, the question arises: Why do the wicked prosper and go unpunished? Eliphaz speaks for the 3rd time, making Job sound like a liar (Job 22:1-30). Job's response: I shall come forth as gold (23:10)
The key to Job's singleness of heart and ultimate victory was his conviction that obedience to God's Word was more important than life itself: His way have I kept, and not declined. . . . I have esteemed the words of His mouth more than my necessary food (23:11-12).
It is as if Job had said: "In the midst of my suffering and sorrows, in faith I turned to and trust whatever He chooses for me. So great was my need for assurance, I seized upon it as a starving man for a meal. I devoured it and indeed my soul was comforted and I was strengthened. I turned from the husks of 'comfort' that my friends offered and can testify that only faith in God and His Word will satisfy."
He further explained his confidence by saying: Behold, I go forward, but He is not there; and backward but I cannot perceive Him: On the left hand . . . I cannot behold Him . . . on the right hand . . . I cannot see Him (23:8-9). He was saying, "Regardless of where I turn, God is nowhere to be found, but my faith does not rest in my fears and feelings, but in His Word." Job's faith was unshakable because he could truthfully say: His way have I kept so I shall come forth as gold.
Some have assumed they were a Christian because they were a member of a church, but they have not experienced the transforming power of God's Word. Like Judas, they may talk like a Christian and yet they do not desire Christ as Lord of their lives. To have a Bible but no desire to know how God would have them live is useless. Until they repent of their sins and accept Christ as both Savior and Lord, the Bible has little value.
As ye therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him . . . Beware lest any man spoil you through philosopy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ (Col. 2:6,8).
Spiritual defeat inevitably faces the Christian who lives year after year, never reading through the Bible because they ignorantly believe they have sufficient wisdom without God's only written revelation to mankind. But they have neither armor nor weapon for protection (Eph. 6:11-17).
Unless Thy Law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction (Ps. 119:92).
Thought for Today:
Laying aside . . . all evil speakings . . . desire the sincere milk of the Word, that ye may grow thereby (I Pet. 2:1-2).
Christ Revealed:
Through Job's faithfulness to God throughout his suffering (Job 23:10-12). Christ's faithfulness to the Father is seen as He prayed for the Father's will to be done, not His own (Luke 22:42).
Word Studies:
21:2 consolations =sympathy; 21:3 Suffer =allow; 21:8 seed =children; 21:10 gendereth =breeds; casteth not =does not miscarry; 21:29 tokens =testimony and experience; 24:5 rising betimes for a prey =seeking diligently for food; 24:21 evil entreateth =cruelly takes advantage of.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Government Official: Rep. George Radanovich (CA) • Country: New Zealand (4 million) two large islands southeast of Australia • Major languages: English and Maori • Religious freedom • 51% Protestant; 16% Roman Catholic; 3% cults • Prayer Suggestion: Keep the Word of God and pray to Him who has given you an open door into His presence (Rev. 3:8).
Optional Reading: Ephesians 3
Memory Verse for the Week: 2 Corinthians 3:18