Highlights In Today's Reading:
Job testifies that he is an upright man and has done nothing to deserve his suffering (chap. 13 — 14). He speaks directly to God (13:20 — 14:22). Eliphaz calls Job a windbag (15:2) and uses his own experiences to show how wrong Job is (15:17-35). Job's 5th speech calls his friends miserable comforters (16:2)
Though all of his friends persisted in criticizing and condemning him, Job continued to fully trust in the Almighty . . . God. . . . He shall also be my salvation . . . I know that I shall be justified (13:3,16,18). It was because of the remarkable insight of Job that he expressed his confidence in a heavenly and holy all-seeing One who knows our hearts. He said: My friends scorn me: but mine eye poureth out tears unto God. O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbour! (16:20-21). Job knew that there is a heavenly Witness who will testify on his behalf as he declared: My Witness is in heaven (16:19). Our Lord and Savior is the answer to Job's prayer.
As Christians, we thank God that we have a great High Priest who ever liveth to make intercession for us! When we sincerely pray in the Name of Christ, we have assurance from His Word that He will intercede for us and make our requests known to our Heavenly Father. Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them (Heb. 7:25).
Job, in his faithfulness to God, is an example of one whose love for God means more than life itself. He said: Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him: but I will maintain mine own ways before Him (Job 13:15). Every trial gives us an opportunity to draw closer to God and to become more like the person He wants us to be. And as we trust ourselves into His loving hands, we shall not come into condemnation; but . . . (are) passed from death unto life (John 5:24).
Because we have a personal relationship with Him, all who are faithfully living for Christ can say with much greater insight than Job who said: My Witness is in heaven. God knows our hearts and witnesses our faith in His Word.
In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, not any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom. 8:37-39).
Thought for Today:
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me. . . . I go to prepare a place for you. . . . I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me (John 14:1-2,6).
Christ Revealed:
Through the smiting of Job (Job 16:10). Christ also was struck by those who ridiculed Him (Matt. 27:29-44; John 18:22-23; 19:2-3; Ps. 22:7-8; 109:25; Is. 53:3-5,7-10).
Word Studies:
14:5 days are determined = allotted time to live depends on you; 15:4 restrainest = hinder; 15:25 strengtheneth himself against the Almighty = defying the Almighty; 15:26 even on his neck, upon the thick bosses of his bucklers = with massive shields; 15:27 collops of fat = figuratively speaking, blinded by self-importance and wealth; 15:29 neither shall he prolong the perfection thereof = the abundant crops he cannot harvest; 15:34 consume the tabernacles of bribery = their houses shall be burned with fire; 16:12 broken me asunder = thoroughly crushed me; 16:13 reins = heart and mind — the center of emotions; poureth out my gall = leaves me no hope of life.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Radio Sri Lanka Broadcasts sponsored by Mrs. Robert G. Johnson • Staff: Barbara Jean Loyd • Government Officials: Sen. Mike Johanns (NE), Rep. Gerald McNerney (CA), Sen. John Rockefeller IV (WV), and Rep. Paul Tonko (NY) • Country: Rwanda (7 million) in central Africa • Major languages: Kinyarwanda and French • Religious freedom • 80% Christian; 10.5% Muslim; 4.5% non-Religious/Other; 4% Traditional ethnic; .2% Baha'i • Prayer Suggestion: Remember that prayer changes things (James 5:16-18).
Optional Reading: Ephesians 1
Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 7:13