Day Nineteen: January 19 Job 1-4 ~ Hebrew scholars say that the account of Job, possibly occurred around the time of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Today’s Tasting: Job lived as a man of integrity—He feared God and stayed away from evil. Job’s wealth accumulated to make him the richest man in the entire area.
Job’s children seemed to party, feast, and celebrate a pagan lifestyle. At the party’s end, Job regularly, worshiped the Lord and prayed for his children’s sinful ways.
Satan, the Accuser, and some angels presented themselves before the LORD. Satan, the Accuser implied that Job had a good reason to worship and fear God:
- God put a wall of protection around Job
- God made Job prosper in everything
The Accuser’s request:
- that God tear down the wall of protection
- take away everything, including family and possessions
- Job would surely curse God to His face
The LORD permitted the request, but not to harm him physically. After the destruction of his children and possessions, Job started to grieve. Instead, he fell to the ground to worship. He cried, “…The LORD gave…and the LORD takes away. Praise the name of the LORD! In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God.”
Another meeting occurred between God and the Accuser. The LORD reminded the Accuser that Job remained in complete integrity, even though all possessions and children no longer existed. The LORD permitted the Accuser’s second request:
- to take away Job’s health
- that he would curse God
When he lost his good health, Job’s wife questioned him, “Are you still trying to maintain your integrity? Curse God and die.” Job would not bow to the Accuser’s desire or to his wife’s suggestion—He said nothing that defiled God.
Job’s friends visited him to comfort and console his pain. After seven days, Job broke the silence and cursed the day of his birth. All the “whys” rolled from his speech. He said, “I cannot eat for sighing; my groans pour out like water. What I always feared has happened to me. What I dreaded has come true. I have no peace, no quietness. I have no rest; only trouble.
His first friend’s response: Will you be patient and let me say a word?
- In the past, you encouraged many people:
- Strengthened the weak
- Supported the fallen
- Encouraged those in fear
- Trouble hit you and now you live in terror
- Though you revere God, where is your confidence?
- Though you live with integrity, where is your hope?
Today’s Nourishment: When the Lord pulls His hand back, to any degree, and trouble strikes, where is your worship. Where is your integrity? When the Lord, for some reason pulls back his protecting hand, and it seems that everything around you crumbles – sickness, death, and destruction engulf you, where is your confidence, where is your hope?
After the why’s roll from your speech, if fear steps in, it only stirs up groaning, moaning, grumbling, and complaining. Yet, God created us with an innate need to worship. Worship and thanksgiving builds confidence and hope in God.
Confidence means “boldness and trust.”
Put no trust in the flesh ~ Paul, the apostle, also lost everything, yet gained Christ. He said, “Worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh,” see Philippians 3:1-11.
The Lord is our boldness ~ “Do not be afraid of sudden terror…when it comes, for the Lord will be your confidence,” Proverbs 3:25-26.
We have boldness ~ “We have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus,” Hebrews 10:19.
Allow your worship to build your confidence and hope in your God – not just to believe in Him, but to believe Him. Lord, we worship You. I declare that you are my God. I put my confidence in you and your finished work of the cross. Thank you, Holy Spirit, that you reveal this to us and help us worship the Father.
Tomorrow’s Reading: Job 5-7
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