Read Job 21
Highlights:
Job bemoans the prosperity of the wicked; Eliphaz accuses Job of sin; Job's desire to plead before God.
My foot hath held His steps, His way have I kept, and not declined. Neither have I gone back from the Commandment of His lips; I have esteemed the words of His mouth more than my necessary food (Job 23:11-12).
Eliphaz reasoned that wicked men are miserable. And, since Job was very miserable, he must be a wicked man. His final attempt to convince Job that he was a hypocrite was a stunning blow: Acquaint now thyself with Him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee (22:21). Job admitted: 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). In fact, regardless which way Job turned, God was nowhere to be found.
Job's faith did not rest on tangible evidence of feeling God's presence because God's Word was more precious to Job than necessary food — than life itself. The secret to Job's faithfulness was the nourishment and strength he obtained from God's Word. In it, we find the answers to the problems we are going through and we find the fullness that is missing in our lives. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the Word of His grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified (Acts 20:32).
If we truly desire to walk in God's ways, the daily reading of God's Word must become a centerpiece of our lives. Spiritual defeat inevitably faces the Christian who lives year after year, never reading through the Bible — God's only written revelation to mankind. The Word of God is our best offensive and defensive weapon in this spiritual war which we are fighting. For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Heb. 4:12). It is through the power obtained from God's Word and prayer that we can overcome the evil that is in this world. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope (Rom. 15:4).
Unless Thy Law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction (Ps. 119:92).
Thought for Today:
It is amazing, but true — we can know God through reading His Word!
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 International Broadcasts in memory of Audrey Hash • Country: Ireland (3.7 million) off the coast of western Europe • Major languages: English and Irish (Gaelic) • Religious freedom • 92% Catholic; 3.7% Anglican; 1% Other Protestant; .2% Muslim; .1% Jewish; 2% Other; 1% None • Prayer Suggestion: Pray and intercede for your family (Job 1:5).
Optional Reading: Ephesians 3
Memory Verse for the Week: Ecclesiastes 12:13