Thurs.’s Devo - Job’s Woe

Read: Job 1:1-3:26; 1 Corinthians 14:1-17; Psalm 37:12-29; Proverbs 21:25-26 Job means “the cry of woe” which describes Job to a tee. He lived in the land of Uz which means “counsel”. He was known as a wise man who was also blessed with great riches. Job had a wife, seven sons and three daughters and many animals and servants. He also feared God religiously. *** The heavenly court met with God presiding. Satan who had been a leader in heaven but had lost his position attended the meeting. God was going over the business of heaven and asked Satan what he was doing on earth since he had been cast out of heaven to dwell on the earth and the in-between. Satan said he was patrolling his area to and fro. Then God asked him if he had noticed Job who feared God and walked in integrity. Satan accused God of protecting him and blessing him so much that of course, he would follow him. God knew that if a man trusts him when he is blessed and doesn’t need God, he would surely trust him in his need. So God told Satan he could test Job for himself, only he could’t hurt his body. *** Satan lost no time and had no mercy. He took everything Job had in one day. Job claimed that he had come into the world with nothing and he would leave with nothing, but in his loss he still praised the Lord. He didn’t blame God, though he also didn’t seem to know about his enemy, the devil. *** At the next meeting of the heavenly court, when it came Satan’s time to report, he was asked about Job. This time Satan accused God of protecting Job’s body. So God let Satan do whatever he wanted, only he couldn’t kill him. Satan lost no time. He put boils all over his body that oozed, itched and looked abhorrent. Job sat in ashes scraping his body with pieces of pottery. *** Job had three friends who heard of what had happened to Job and traveled to see him. When they saw Job’s state, all they could do was sit with him for seven days and nights in silence. *** Job finally broke the silence cursing the day he was born. He welcomed his death. He did say that what he had feared had come upon him. *** Job had no way of knowing that he was the example of all mankind of a person who lost it all and yet remained faithful. He had no idea that his testing would lead to God’s greatest promotion and blessing. God is the rewarder of those who are faithful to him. *** In Corinthians, Paul told us that our highest goal was love, but we should also desire to have the gifts of the Spirit and especially the gift of prophecy. Speaking in tongues is how we communicate with God spirit to spirit. This strengthens us personally. Prophecy is communication with man spirit to spirit. Prophecy strengthens and encourages and comforts others. Both are important, but to the Body, prophecy is more beneficial. *** Paul encourages the ones who speak in tongues to ask to interpret what they are praying so they would have understanding also. That way they can share with others what they are praying. *** Lord, may we have the heart of Paul which was to share with others the love of God in his heart through any means possible. May we learn through reading Job the importance of living our lives not only for the sake of earth, but with heaven in mind also. We are spiritual beings in this earthly world, but what we do affects both worlds. May we stand with integrity and faith.