Tues.’s Devo - The Power of Resurrection

Read: Job 8:1-11:20; 1 Corinthians 15:1-28: Psalm 38:1-22; Proverbs 21:28-29 Bildad, Job’s second friend speaks. Bildad from Shua means “confusing from depression.” He actually offers future hope that Eliphaz didn’t. Bildad claims that God is just and there is a reason for everything he does. He suggests that maybe Job’s children sinned and got what they deserved. How comforting was that? But, he adds that though he has nothing now, he would end with much, which was exactly what happened. He suggests that Job learn from previous generations how God works to see what happens to those who forget God. Bildad is confusing in that he goes from the most depressing thing - to hope. He talks one minute about plants that thrive then wither and die, then he says that Job will one day laugh and shout for joy. Job replies that he understands the principle and how could he stand innocent before God; no one can do that. If he did like Eliphaz had said and went to God’s court to present his case against God, his human righteousness would never stand against the holiness of God because God is not mortal like him. Job points us to Jesus. He shows us how people felt before Jesus came and gave us a way of salvation. Man was hopeless before Christ. Job wishes there was a mediator between God and man who could bring them together. That is exactly what Jesus did. Jesus took away the fear of approaching God and restored our relationship with our creator. Job is frustrated because he doesn’t understand what he has done to have brought all this calamity against himself. No one has been where Job is, so no one could possibly have an answer. Job just wants some reprieve and he thinks the only place to find that be would be in death. He explains death as a dark place of gloom and confusion. Sounds like his life at the time. Next, Zophar speaks up. He is Job’s third friend. With friends like Job had, who needs enemies? He told Job his many words would never make him innocent. He could never talk his way into righteousness. He accuses Job of mocking God. He ruthlessly tells Job that he is getting what he deserves, only he deserves much more. Zophar means “departing early” which is exactly what I would have told him to do. His advice to Job was to repent and watch God turn his circumstances around. In Corinthians, Paul gets back to the simplicity of the gospel. Jesus Christ died for our sins, was buried and rose on the third day. Many testified as seeing this with their own eyes. It is the Good News that saves you if you continue to believe it. Some of the preachers in Corinth were preaching that there was no resurrection from the dead. If that was true then Christ didn’t rise either and it is all useless and there is no hope. But the truth is that Christ did rise from the dead and so will every believer. That is the hope of our salvation, the pinnacle of our faith. Jesus rose on First Fruits making him the first fruit to rise from the ground. We are the fruit of his labor who will rise with him. Our bodies will rise when he comes back. Then the end will come. Christ will turn the kingdom of the earth over to God once he has destroyed every ruler, authority and power of Satan’s. The last enemy he will destroy will be death. Lord, may we endure steadfastly till the end. May our faith not waver because our trust is in You.