Thurs.’s Devo - A Good Conscience

Read: Job 23:1-27:23; 2 Corinthians 1:12-2:11; Psalm 41;1-13; Proverbs 22:5-6

Eliphaz had spoken last and accused Job of all sorts of wrong doing. He had told him that if he repented of his sins God  would forgive him. 

Job responds to him saying that if he could meet with God and present his case he would be found innocent. Job searches for the Lord everywhere but can not find him. He laments all the things the wicked do that rebel against God. They do all their deeds in the night thinking God doesn’t see them. They rule for a while on earth safely, but then they die. 

Bildad argues the case that man can never be right before God. Man is no more than a worm.

Job confronts Bildad and asks him who he has helped that needed help. God is over the heavens, Sheol and the earth. No one and nothing is as powerful as him. But, Job contends that God has taken away his right. He stands on the fact that he is innocent and has done nothing to deserve his fate. 

The wicked heap up silver and fancy clothes, but the righteous will inherit it. 

In Corinthians, Paul also boasts of his righteousness. His testimony is that he has behaved with godly sincerity. He doesn’t live by man’s wisdom, but relies on the grace of God to lead him.

Paul explains that he planned to come and visit the church at Corinth on his way to Macedonia but God is the one who seals his plans. He decided not to come to them since the last visit caused them so much pain. His intent is to give them love, not pain. 

He is referring to the man who was having sex with his mother-in-law. Paul had told them to kick him out of the church until he repented. Paul is now hoping that they did this and the man has repented and stopped his sin and been restored back into the church. 

Lord, may we have the conscience of Job and Paul who lived their lives with no regrets. May our walk be blameless because we walk in your grace and love. May we forgive those who sin and repent and be comfort to those who suffer. May we remember all you have done for us and humbly help restore others.