Month: August 2024

Job 37:1-39:30; 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:10; Psalm 44:9-26; Proverbs 22:13

There is so much about God that we just do not know. If you don’t believe it, just go through the list in today’s reading. And, it is not only that we don’t know how certain things operate, we don’t have any power to start them or stop them. After reading all these questions, you could really be left with a sense of despair because we really have no power at all.

But, what I have learned from Scripture is not to look at what I do not know, it is to look at what I do know. What I know is sufficient to get me through life and all the way to heaven. So, what are some things that we absolutely know beyond a shadow of doubt? First, we know that God is love! God is not just loving; He is love! He cannot stop loving because He would stop being God.

Another truth we should know about God is that He only has good plans for us. Jeremiah 29:11, “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’” Job did not know all of the theological arguments but he rested in the two truths he did know. Job was not arrogant in asserting that he was innocent and undeserving of such calamity. Job was confident in God’s love and God’s good plans for his life. You should be too!

Tomorrow’s Reading: Job 40:1-42:17; 2 Corinthians 5:11-21; Psalm 45:1-17; Proverbs 22:14

Job 34:1-36:33; 2 Corinthians 4:1-12; Psalm 44:1-8; Proverbs 22:10-12

Since God is just and He is incapable of injustice, how can you explain the evil that Job endured? Job’s friends had a very limited view of how God operated and the cause of evil in someone’s life.

Job’s friends had no concept that there might be another actor on the stage of life. There is a real devil and he desires to hurt us and destroy our relationship with God and with other people. It is possible to be innocent and have evil happen because satan gets glory out of disrupting our lives.

While you shouldn’t be afraid of the works of the devil, you must know that there is a force of evil who desires to destroy everything good about your life. The key is not to cooperate with him! The devil can only defeat you if you cooperate with him. This is why Job maintained his innocence.

Tomorrow’s Reading: Job 37:1-39:30; 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:10; Psalm 44:9-26; Proverbs 22:13

Job 31:1-33:33; 2 Corinthians 3:1-18; Psalm 43:1-5; Proverbs 22:8-9

As Christians, we do not rest upon our own righteousness, we rest in the righteousness of God. We are in the age of grace and mercy. However, the age in which Job lived was one where one had to rely upon his own righteousness.

Although he was living in a strong legalistic society, Job still maintained his innocence. This is so powerful and most people miss this aspect of his life. Job knew that he had lived up to the standards of the law without blemish. There are not many people who could claim that.

Even though we are the recipients of God’s grace, we should strive to live up to the righteous standard that God sets. In this way, we won’t frustrate the grace of God. We can’t earn righteousness but we can live up to it. Let’s be as bold as Job to understand that we are living completely for God without compromise.

Tomorrow’s Reading: Job 34:1-36:33; 2 Corinthians 4:1-12; Psalm 44:1-8; Proverbs 22:10-12

Job 28:1-30:31; 2 Corinthians 2:12-17; Psalm 42:1-11; Proverbs 22:7

Life is full of ups and downs. Job had seen his experience from both spectrums of life. He saw the highly revered life of admiration and the low life of public ridicule. He took the time to recount how good it was when things were going well. He also knew how it felt when things turned sour.

One constant was present in both recollections: Job was able to call out to God. We do not serve a God who abandons us when things take a turn for the worst. God is with us all the time. We cannot control the course of life but we can know that regardless of what happens, God is always with us.

God does not look at our lives from a distance with disinterest. He is actively engaged in our lives. He is right there every step of the way. He dries every tear and lifts you up when you fall. Regardless of your challenges, God is always right there for you.

Tomorrow’s Reading: Job 31:1-33:33; 2 Corinthians 3:1-18; Psalm 43:1-5; Proverbs 22:8-9

Job 23:1-27:23; 2 Corinthians 1:12-2:11; Psalm 41:1-13; Proverbs 22:5-6

Life happens to all of us. In varying degrees, at some point or another, we all have to deal with something distasteful. We can spend our time complaining about how we don’t deserve it or we can spend our time discerning what God wants us to do. Job asks some important questions about delayed judgement of the wicked because it does seem sometimes like those who do wrong get away with it for a period.

Have you ever seen someone do something you knew was wrong and yet, they seemed to get away with their actions? They may have mistreated you on your job, lied about you or even hurt you in unspeakable ways. In all these situations, our humanity causes us to wonder, “When will they get theirs?”

The truth is, nothing escapes the All-Seeing Eyes of our God. He not only sees but He will deal with all of us based upon our actions in this life. And, in death, we will all stand before Him. So, it may appear that the wicked have gotten away with their deeds but because God is just, no one really escapes. God not only sees the evil people do, He also sees the good that we do and He does reward it. Trust God not your situation.

Tomorrow’s Reading: Job 28:1-30:31; 2 Corinthians 2:12-17; Psalm 42:1-11; Proverbs 22:7

Job 20:1-22:30; 2 Corinthians 1:1-11; Psalm 40:11-17; Proverbs 22:2-4

Simple, conventional wisdom does not handle the complex issues that face us. Job’s friends tried to convince him that his calamities were because of his unconfessed wickedness. This was too simple an explanation.

Job knew that tradition and pithy slogans could not provide a substantive answer to all that he faced (and that we face). If you have ever been through difficult situations and someone approached you with seemingly comforting words that did nothing to help you make it through, you know what Job felt.

Here is what Job knew (and what we should know): We cannot live our lives comparing them against someone else’s. It is so unproductive to try to answer the question, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” We have to live our lives each day seeking to please our God. If we do that, God will take care of the rest. One truth is certain: you can win with the hand you have been dealt!

Tomorrow’s Reading: Job 23:1-27:23; 2 Corinthians 1:12-2:11; Psalm 41:1-13; Proverbs 22:5-6

Job 16:1-19:29; 1 Corinthians 16:1-24; Psalm 40:1-10; Proverbs 22:1

When we face unfair criticism from people, Job gives us an important reminder: the only opinion that matters is God’s! Job knew the life of integrity that he lived before God. He knew the status of his relationship with God. Job never wavered in the righteous lifestyle that he lived in the face of unspeakable circumstances.

The conventional theology of Job’s day was “whatever God wanted to do, He would just do it.” But, what Job was experiencing did not seem fair, especially for someone who lived a totally committed life. What Job did not know was that there was an accuser (satan) who always wants to “steal, kill and destroy”. Chapter 1 of Job clearly shows us that it was not God who brought all this on Job, it was satan.

Can you have confidence in God, even when your circumstances seem unfair? Can you rest in your relationship with God in spite of the contradictions you may be experiencing? God is and always will be a good God. Job understood this when he said, in the midst of his pain, “But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and He will stand upon the earth at last” (Job 19:25). Now, that’s confidence!

Tomorrow’s Reading: Job 20:1-22:30; 2 Corinthians 1:1-11; Psalm 40:11-17; Proverbs 22:2-4

Job 12:1-15:35; 1 Corinthians 15:29-58; Psalm 39:1-13; Proverbs 21:30-31

God can handle all of our questions! If God cannot stand up to scrutiny then He cannot be God! But, He can. Job wanted to plead his case before God because Job trusted in His righteousness.

One of Job’s questions demanded an answer but it took some time before the answer was given: “Can the dead live again? If so, this would give me hope through all my years of struggle, and I would eagerly await the release of death.” (Job 14:14)

The answer to Job’s question was, “Yes.” When Jesus came to the earth, He stated that, “He was the resurrection and the life.” Through Jesus, we have victory over death. We have much more to live for than just today. We can live– really live– for eternity. We cannot let the momentary struggles of life cause us to take our eyes off the greater prize! There is a heaven to prepare for. How are you preparing for it?

Tomorrow’s Reading: Job 16:1-19:29; 1 Corinthians 16:1-24; Psalm 40:1-10; Proverbs 22:1

Job 8:1-11:20; 1 Corinthians 15:1-28; Psalm 38:1-22; Proverbs 21:28-29

Job continued to endure the accusations of his friends. But, there was a war raging on the inside of him. He was gripped by the question of how could someone plead his case before God. He knew the greatness of God’s wisdom and truth, but if a person needed to reason with God who would do it?

Job’s question did not get answered until many years later through the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus answered Job’s pleading. He was the go-between for God and man. Jesus bridged the gap. He was very much human and God so He knew both sides of the equation.

We have a God who understands all that we go through and He knows our faults and failings. But, God never gives up on us because He loves us! That was why He sent Jesus. He gave His life for ours. That is love. And, today, Jesus is in heaven seated next to God, praying for us.

We have an advocate in the person of Jesus Christ.

Tomorrow’s Reading: Job 12:1-15:35; 1 Corinthians 15:29-58; Psalm 39:1-13; Proverbs 21:30-31

Job 4:1-7:21; 1 Corinthians 14:18-40; Psalm 37:30-40; Proverbs 21:27

We have heard it said that everyone needs friends. But, the more accurate way to say it is that we all need the right kind of friends. The moment Job’s three friends heard about his calamity, they rushed to his side. After a brief time of silence, they began to speak. 

Their words were filled with accusations that undermined Job’s confidence in his relationship with God and the integrity with which he had lived his life. Job clearly had the wrong kind of friends. They chose his weakest time to criticize him. If you are really going to go where God wants you to go, you cannot get there with the wrong type of people around you. 

Examine those who are around you. Are they pushing you towards your destiny or are they holding you back? Do they blame you and berate you and place an anchor around you so that you cannot move? God wants to free you from friends like that. Pray today that God give you real, godly friends who will walk with you through the good and difficult seasons of life! 

Tomorrow’s Reading: Job 8:1-11:20; 1 Corinthians 15:1-28; Psalm 38:1-22; Proverbs 21:28-29