Fri.’s Devo -Our Trials

Read: Job 20:1-22:30; 2 Corinthians 1:1-11; Psalm 40:11-17; Proverbs 22:2-4 Zophar felt his responsibility to say what was on his heart so he spoke next. His argument was that the wicked’s reign is short and sooner or later they will reap what they sow. Their children will also reap the sins of their father’s and mothers. Job rebuttals that he has observed many a wicked person who didn’t seem to get what they deserved. They sailed through life without any consequences for their sins. His conclusion was that not everyone is punished here on earth. For some, their judgment comes after death. Eliphaz spoke and asked Job what he thought he could do to help God. Did Job think that his goodness would be a help to God? He disagrees with this. He believed that Job had done something really bad that caused his troubles. He tells Job to return to the Lord and he would be restored. If he cleaned up his life, God would rescue him. Paul explains that troubles come to everyone. We comfort others through the comfort we find in our trials. The greater the trial, the greater the comfort. (Job’s friends needed to read this.) Paul and his crew went through trouble in Asia that was so crushing, they thought they would not live through it and yet they did. Through it they learned to not rely upon themselves but upon God. They also understood that as long as they were on the earth, they would have more trials and God would deliver them from them also. They were thankful for the prayers of the Corinthians because they helped make a difference. Lord, I am so thankful for the people who have prayed for me and my family over the years. Thank you for all the trials that have come our way to help us grow stronger in our faith. May we be a comfort to others in their trials.