Read Through the Bible

May 24, Job 22-24

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Are you worn out with all of these speeches, yet?  Here’s a good word.  Note Job’s statement as recorded in 23:12:  “I have treasured the words of his mouth, more than my daily bread.”  I assume that Job is speaking of God’s words.  Could we say with integrity of heart that we treasure the Word of God more than our daily bread?  Be more specific with yourself.  Think of your favorite restaurant or your favorite dish.  Could you say that you treasure the Word of God more than these?  Food for thought, wouldn’t you say?

Devotional by Steve Horn. Scripture links by www.biblegateway.com. Animated video by www.thebibleproject.com. 

May 23, Job 20-21

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Have you ever asked the questions Job asked?  Job’s question (and ours) is summarized in 21:7, “Why do the wicked live on, growing old and increasing in power?”  Add to this question the actions of the wicked toward God as recorded in 21:14:  “Leave us alone!  We have no desire to know you.”

It doesn’t seem right does it?  My pastor in college had a saying that he used all the time that makes more and more sense to me the older I get.  He used to say, “God has a way of writing straight with a crooked stick.”

Make sure of this when analyzing your life compared to the wicked.  Don’t be jealous of their life.  The Psalmist helps us with this.  We will read Psalms soon, but go ahead and read Psalm 73 today and pay close attention to verses 16-18.

Devotional by Steve Horn. Scripture links by www.biblegateway.com. Animated video by www.thebibleproject.com. 

May 22, Job 18-19

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When life gets confusing, go back to those things that you know to be true about God.  Job 19:25, for me, is a key verse for the whole book. Job didn’t understand much about what God was doing in his life.  He struggled with God.  He got depressed.  He might have even been angry with God.  But, in the end, He knew this about God:  “I know my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.” There are times when we will have more questions than answers; more pain, than promise; more doubt, than faith.  In those times, go back to those fundamental faith things you know to be true about God.  Start with this one:  God loves me—that was settled on the cross.

Devotional by Steve Horn. Scripture links by www.biblegateway.com. Animated video by www.thebibleproject.com. 

May 21

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As a reader we are privy to information about Job’s suffering not made known to Job or his friends.  This may be the most important fact in understanding the book as a whole.  The reader learns right from the beginning that Job is selected for suffering as a result of his righteousness not his unrighteousness.  Lest a person conclude that holiness makes you more of a candidate for suffering, let’s make sure we understand the background of the story.  First of all, the attack against Job was Satanic.  God, in His sovereignty, allowed Job to be chosen as a result of Satan’s wrong assumption that Job was only righteous because he had been blessed richly by God.  The second wave of attack comes against Job because of Satan’s wrong assumption that Job only remained righteous because he maintained his health.  Thus, the purpose of Job is not so much to give us a theology of suffering, but rather present an illustration of perfect faith in God.  Job’s faith illustrates that real faith in God is not tied to material blessings, good health, or anything else.  We do not serve God because He will repay us, but we serve God because He is worthy to be served.  As the book unfolds, only God, Satan, and the reader are alert to the reasons of Job’s suffering.  Unfortunately, many a reader has missed this background and sought to find in Job an explanation for their suffering.

Devotional by Steve Horn. Scripture links by www.biblegateway.com. Animated video by www.thebibleproject.com. 

May 20, Job 15-17

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We are reading the second round of speeches from Job’s friends. Obviously, you already understand their argument.  The only question is why do they think they need to go on and on about Job’s presumed sin.  Job’s response in 16:4-5 is interesting.  Remember what you read about Job in 4:3-4 from Eliphaz.  Go back and read that now.  Job was known by his friends to be someone whose words stood others on their feet.  Even when we have to confront others about their sin, let us pray that we will have the wisdom to do so with encouraging words.

Devotional by Steve Horn. Scripture links by www.biblegateway.com. Animated video by www.thebibleproject.com.