Job 13: 7 “Will you speak wickedly for God, and talk deceitfully for Him?”
I am thankful for the words of Job, for they direct my thoughts to Your wisdom, might and power, and overall justice in the universe. With Job, it is amazing that the love, allegiance and mental acceptance of your power, never wavered, and in fact under girded his belief in You in his adversity. This is also the case for many people in adversity today, when we look up and worship You the God of creation, power and might, the One who knows all things, we can then only acknowledge You are always there.
Obviously You know all about me and will allow only what is best for me. Even when I do not like it! It is then that these beautiful, oft quoted words are appreciated, Job 13: 15 “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him.” To me today, I think that these thoughts, ‘though he slay me, yet will I trust Him’ could only be framed into words, by someone who loved and trusted You absolutely. Job also seems to have a confidence in his relationship with You, conveyed by the words, ‘Even so I will defend my own ways before Him.’ His confidence continues on into V 16 “He also shall be my salvation, for a hypocrite could not come before Him.”
For me today, it is Your close relationship with a human person that is a beautiful thing to behold in someone else of my acquaintance. Especially if at the time, my relationship, faith and trust in You is lacking and would not withstand testing. I believe by experience that You do come close and guide us when we ask; even though the process maybe so very much longer than we think we can stand. Scripture and history shows, we can stick by until the end, in the strength provided by You.
Thank You. Please keep me focused upon You.
Amen
Dear God,
V 7 Job rebukes his non-comforters for how they speak about You. It is amazing, that they never really listened to what Job was saying; because of their set minds. They also appeared not to pick up the consistency in the love of Job for You; (later You must sort the friends out, as well Job a little).
Job had continued to believe that You alone knew him, and would ‘in time’ give testament of his love for You. Job 16: 19 “Surely even now my witness is in heaven, and my evidence is on high.” At this time of his defence and complaint, Job probably feels sick enough to die, and anyway everyone he knows, reviles or mocks him. Yet he still clings onto the belief that as God, You are his advocate (which is proved true). Job 17: 3 “Now put down a pledge for me with Yourself. Who is he who will shake hands with me?”
Again I thank You for preserving these events, because for many of us life is hard, or has had its time of overwhelming challenges in one way or another. When so minded to do so, we can (do) gain much comfort and encouragement, knowing that no matter our challenges, business or situations, I believe every one of us is offered a very close relationship with You that will endure throughout all times of our life. If we so choose?
I give You all my praise today.
Amen