Mon.’s Devo -Right Standing With God

Read: Job 34:1-36:33; 2 Corinthians 4:1-12; Psalm 44:1-8; Proverbs 22:10-12 Elihu is still on his rampage. He brings Job to their court and presents Job’s case for him. He testifies that Job claims to be innocent and it was God who took away his rights. Elihu then plays the devil’s advocate and says that Job chooses evil people as companions and spends his time with wicked men. That is funny because they are his closest friends. He goes on to say that Job states that God treats everyone as they deserve and will not twist justice. Elihu is building his case that Job doesn’t think God is just. Elihu argues that God watches how people live their lives and brings quick judgment on the guilty. He says that God prevents the godless from ruling so the people will not be snared. (He has not read his history books. God places many godless men in authority to turn the people back to Him.) Elihu says that wise people say that Job speaks ignorantly and that he deserves the maximum penalty for how he has talked. He added rebellion to his sin and is disrespectful and angry. (He doesn’t give Job a bit of mercy or the benefit of the doubt. In Job’s friend’s eyes, Job is guilty before being proven guilty.) Elihu continues to say that God exalts and blesses the innocent and punishes the sinners. He thinks that Job is obsessed with the fact that the wicked will not be judged. Elihu thinks that Job needs to worry about being one of the wicked ones. He instructs Job to turn from a life of evil. Paul didn’t have any problem proclaiming his righteousness in Christ Jesus. We live righteously to proclaim God’s goodness and glory to the world. We see our trials as fellowshipping with Christ in his sufferings. To serve Jesus was to face constant danger of death but he didn’t fear because he knew that death brings eternal life. Lord, thank you for making us righteous through your blood. Thank you that we can have confidence to come boldly before your throne of grace and receive mercy.