Mon.’s Devo - Job’s Miserable Comforters

Read: Job 16:1-19:29; 1 Corinthians 16:1-24; Psalm 40:1-10; Proverbs 22:1 Job called his friend miserable comforters because they didn’t try to comfort him at all. They tried to figure out what he had done wrong to get where he was and fix him. Job explains that he would have tried to take away their grief instead of adding to it. He is attacked if he defends himself and if he is silent. *** Job maintains that God has done this to him because he hates him. This could not be further from the truth. God set him up because he loved and believed in who he was. *** Job cries out again for a mediator between him and God. God is the only one who can defend his cause because God is the only one who knows his heart. Job has lost all hope of being vindicated or restored. *** Then Bildad gave his two cents. He gives a long narrative about the wicked indicating that Job falls in that category. *** Job calls his narrative torture. He pretty much tells him to mind his own business. He contends that God is against him and he needs mercy from them, not judgement. They are the ones who should fear judgment. Job looks forward to the day he will stand before God. Then everything will be made right. In Corinthians, Paul suggests that they begin taking up a weekly donation for the church at Jerusalem. Then when he comes he won’t have to make the appeal and it will be easier on them. *** Paul plans to stay in Ephesus until the Festival of Pentecost is over, then he plans to come to Corinth. He is sending Timothy to them and expects them to respect him and what he has to say. Paul honors, by name, those who have been faithful to the Lord’s work and helped him in the ministry. He gives them the commission to be on guard, stand firm in the faith, be courageous and strong and to do everything with love. *** Lord, may we follow that command today. Thank you that we have a mediator who hears our prayers and has mercy and grace on us. Give us heavenly perspective for our lives.