One Year Bible

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

Job 1:1-3:26; 1 Corinthians 14:1-17; Psalm 37:12-29; Proverbs 21:25-26

Even though it does not seem like it, when challenges arise in our lives, we really can handle them. Job is the “poster child” for suffering and unfair tragedy. But when you look at the beginning of the story, you see some very important information.

First, God does not author the challenges that we face. The source of Job’s problems and calamities was satan (which means accuser). When troubles enter your life, please know that they are not being created by God. They are being brought by satan whose chief joy is to defeat you. The second great lesson we learn about Job’s story is that God has confidence in His children. God actually brags on Job’s faithfulness. He asks satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job?”

This is the tough truth. Regardless of how bad our circumstances are God knows that we can handle whatever the devil throws at us. There is strength on the inside of us that goes untapped except during the challenges that we face in life. Job learned more about himself, his friends and his Heavenly Father through everything he endured.

Don’t fight against God when you go through hardships. Instead of asking “why me?”, you should ask, “What now?” In other words, “because You know that I can handle this, what should my next step be?” If we ask questions like this, we will not lose hope or heart and quit. You will go through to the other side because if you are in it, God knows that you can handle it.

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

Esther 8:1-10:3; 1 Corinthians 12:27-13:13; Psalm 37:1-11; Proverbs 21:23-24

In a world filled with unbridled ambition, can you be a person who will wait for God to elevate you. How about this? When you know there is a plot against you or there are people conspiring to do you harm, can you trust that God will be your defender?

Trusting God is not a process whereby we ask God to bless our plans. Trusting God means that you won’t move until He gives you clear direction. When the Jews were under a death sentence, they did not take up arms and fight, they prayed and fasted. God answered. If they had arisen and fought for themselves, they would have missed the wonderful way that God would vindicate them.

God wants to vindicate you as His child. I know you may want to fight your own battles, but let God show you that He can truly set a table before you in the presence of your enemies (Psalm 23). When God exalts you, no one can bring you down.

Tomorrow’s Reading: Job 1:1-3-26; 1 Corinthians 14:1-17; Psalm 37:12-29; Proverbs 21:25-26

Esther 4:1-7:10; 1 Corinthians 12:1-26; Psalm 36:1-12; Proverbs 21:21-22

When God is on your side, there is no foe that can defeat you. If we truly understood the depth of God’s love for us and His unreserved willingness to defend us in all situations, we would never fear anyone. Yet, too often we don’t think we deserve this type of protection.

The entire Jewish nation was under the threat of annihilation. They knew this was not God’s will for their lives. So they fasted and prayed and they stood! They stood up for their lives. Esther stood up for them and the very person who had plotted to kill them ended up being killed himself. 

Why would God do all of this? Because they are His children. The same is true for you. Stop being afraid of people and their schemes. God is truly your defense. He knows how to fight for you. Step aside and let Him fight. When He fights, He wins. And, He is ready to fight for you. 

Tomorrow’s Reading: Esther 8:1-10:3; 1 Corinthians 12:27-13:13; Psalm 37:1-11; Proverbs 21:23-24