Today’s Tasting: Job 17-20 MSG and ESV
Words Hold Power
Job continued talking himself into a pity party, which caused him to lose hope. He focused on and described his crushed spirit repeatedly, and wondered why his hope had vanished. Job thought highly of his words by saying, his words were worthy of writing them in a book. Job’s words made their way into a book and we may learn from them:
- Spoken words cast doubt and fear (see Job 3:25; 22:10-11)
- Spoken words hurt and broke Job’s spirit (see Job 19:2)
- Spoken words distressed Job, God’s words allured Job out of distress (see Job 10:1; 36:6)
- Spoken words by Job were rash (see Job 6:3)
- Spoken words by Job, at one time, encouraged those who were about to quit (see Job 4:3)
- Spoken words by Job, at one time, put stumbling people on their feet (see Job 4:4)
- Spoken words by Job, at one time, put fresh hope in people about to collapse (see Job 4:4)
Job started resolving his situation with these words, “But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives” (Job 19:25 ESV). Job’s words, “Worry about your own sins,” (Job 19:29 MSG) started opening eyes to realize the consequences for God-denying people and how God takes care of God-fearing people.
Job’s friends spoke truth to him: Word games are useless. Face reality and trust God in your circumstances or hope will vanish. Hope produces joy, but godless joy lasts a short time ending with a hopeless and joyless life.
Today’s Nourishment: No amount of complaining reduces self-pity, but only multiplies it and leads to ungodly behaviors. Sometimes beneath hurtful talk, lies a broken heart in need of hope, love, and the peace that only God provides. The Lord heals a crushed spirit when we recognize that He is our Redeemer. Have you heard the cliché, “time heals?” Time never heals, but over time, the Lord heals.
“I know that my Redeemer, Jesus Christ, lives.” I know how negative thoughts and words lead to self-pity and anger. Some of Job’s words were my words at one time. Out of my anger, I thought and spoke negative words. As a result, my self-pity and lack of forgiveness, plummet me into depression.
It is impossible to live a new life with old ways of thinking:
- I started coming out of depression by forgiving others and myself
- I started recognizing my anger and trusting God’s Word to learn how to be angry and handle it
- I learned not to go to bed angry, but forgive any grudges before bedtime. When we go to bed angry, it gives opportunity to the devil (see Ephesians 4:26-27)
- I am learning that words I speak build up or tear down (Proverbs 18:21)
Repent means “to change your thinking.” How will you repent (change your thinking) with the words you speak?
The Lord heals, but we choose to change our words from old ways of thinking.
Tomorrow’s Delight: Job 21-23
Carolyn Marlowe, CCLC
https://www.facebook.com/AlivebyHisWord
Yes Job was in a whirlwind of a self-pity party which is easy to do when you get your eyes off of Jesus. Remember the song ” Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of this earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.” Jobs focus was in the wrong place and when you are in that place it opens the door for Satan’s lies and deception. Thankfully when we put our eyes on Him then His light will shine upon us and hope is restored. Praise God OUR REDEEMER LIVES!!!!!
How true it is that when we give in to self pity we speak words that pull us further into the pit. We’re human, and discouragement is part of our humanity. Thank you for this reminder that we can choose words that build us up instead!
I thought of the song, “My Redeemer Lives.” I sang it in my worship today. Now, the song, “Turn Your eyes upon Jesus” plays in my mind. For me, singing to the Lord helps combat self-pity and speaking words that push us further into the pit.
Great word! I Have repented(changed my way of thinking), and I will speak life in all situations.