Sun.’s Devo - God Speaks

Read: Job 37:1-39:30; 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:10; Psalm 44:9-26; Proverbs 22:13 Elihu finishes his explanation of who God is and his mighty power. He invites Job to pause and consider God’s majesty. How can man speak when they fear God correctly. Elihu was the only one of the four who God didn’t rebuke in the end. He actually spoke rightly. *** When God spoke, he did from a whirlwind. God asked who questioned his wisdom. Then he asked them some questions. If they claimed to know so much, were they present when he created the world? Did they make the rules of nature? When God said, “Let there be light,” the darkness and violence had to stop. Have they seen the gates of hell where death resides? God has storehouses of snow and hail that he uses as weapons against evil. He determines when to send the rain and where. *** God alone directs the laws of the universe and it is displayed in the constellations. He rules the animals on the earth. Times and seasons for everything is in his hands. He gave each animal their nature and their purpose. They all tell us of the nature of God. *** In Corinthians, Paul continued to tell us about God as he relates to man. God raised Jesus to heaven and will also raise us up. It is God’s grace that sustains us here on the earth. We may have many troubles on the earth but they will all lead to our glory. One day, all our troubles will be gone and we will put on our eternal heavenly bodies. The Holy Spirit is our guarantee that God will do this. *** Right now we live by faith, believing in everything Jesus taught us about resurrection and judgment. *** Lord, thank you for your faithfulness to us. When I consider all you have done for me and my family I am overcome with gratitude. When I see what you are doing in the world, I am convinced of your power and your love. Give us eyes to see your plan and faith to stand strong as we wait on your salvation.

Sat.’s Devo - God’s Judgement

Read: Job 34:1-36:33; 2 Corinthians 4:1-12; Psalm 44:1-8; Proverbs 22:10-12 Elihu is still speaking. He attacks Job for his stance that he is righteous, saying that Job hangs around wicked people which is pretty comical since he is hanging around him and his three friends. *** Elihu explains that God is just and treats the poor and rich the same. God controls who is in power and exalts the righteous and puts down the wicked. He wonders why the wicked don’t repent and get right with God so he can bless them. He claims that Job in his rebellion deserves God’s greatest judgment because of the way he has talked about God. He believes that Job’s claim to be righteous is disrespectful to God. He claims that our sins don’t hurt God, but they affect other people only. Elihu said God is not going to answer Job because of his pride. He claims that God does punish the wicked, but it might not come as soon as desired. *** Elihu says if a man repents and follows him he will be exalted and prosper. He says that God sent Job’s suffering to keep him from a life of evil. Instead of trying to tell God what he should do, Job should be singing praises of what God has already done. All nature proves God’s almighty power. *** Paul defends his righteousness, also. He has openly preached the truth of the Gospel. It is Satan that has blinded the eyes of the unbeliever so that he can’t comprehend the goodness of God. They cannot understand his message about Christ who is the exact likeness of God. *** Paul didn’t exalt himself, but Christ as Lord. Paul is just his servant. Christ’s light shines in all of our hearts. We join with Christ in his suffering on the earth, but death will be turned into life because of Christ. *** Lord, may we live for eternity in our hearts. Thank you for the power to overcome darkness, trials, disappointment and discouragement. Thank you that all things work together for the good of those who are called to your purposes.

Fri.’s Devo - Our Covenant of Life

Read: Job 31:1-33:33; 2 Corinthians 3:1-18; Psalm 43:1-5; Proverbs 22:8-9 Job contends that not only are his actions righteous, but the motives of his heart are also right before God. He has treated people the way he would want to be treated. He has not worshipped anything God created but he has worshipped the creator. *** Job asks God for a written accusation against him so he can see what God is so upset about. *** Finally, Job and his friends are finished with their arguments. They have not swayed from their own opinions but have not been able to convince Job to change his mind either. *** Elihu, who was much younger had been present during everyone’s speeches and when he realized they were resigned to silence, he felt compelled to speak. He had been biding his time and now he was ready to let them know his wisdom. He accuses Job’s friends of not answering Job’s arguments adequately. He believes with all his heart that he is speaking for God. He tells Job that God is bigger than any man, but he does speak to human beings. He speaks all the time and when man doesn’t comprehend what he is trying to say, he will give him a dream. In that dream he will warn him so he will not die in his sin. Elihu continues to say that God will use sickness to discipline man. He might even send an angel to intercede for the man so he will be healed. This man’s prayer is heard and answered. Then he will be able to live and enjoy his life. If Elihu is trying to encourage Job that there is a better day coming, then he seems to be lacking in grace, but he is convinced he has God’s wisdom. *** In Corinthians, Paul asks if he needs a letter of recommendation for them to believe he is worthy of teaching them. He contends that our lives are our letter of recommendation if we are living what we preach. God’s spirit in us is our witness that we are son’s of God. We are under God’s new covenant of life and the glory of God is and will be revealed through us. Moses’ law brought condemnation and death, but this new covenant we have gives us confidence to be bold because the veil has been removed and we can enter into God’s very presence where his glory is manifested on us. *** Lord, thank you for your presence in our lives. Thank you that we do have an advocate through Jesus and confidence through the Holy Spirit.

Thurs.’s Devo - Where Can Wisdom Be Found

Read: Job 28:1-30:31; 2 Corinthians 2:12-17; Psalm 42:1-11; Proverbs 22:7 Job gave a detailed description of man’s way of finding the secret riches in the earth, but no one knows where to find wisdom or knowledge. (They obviously didn’t have the Bible or the internet!) We have so many ways to obtain knowledge but wisdom only comes from God. *** Job explains that everything God made works thorough his wisdom. We get wisdom by fearing the Lord and forsaking evil. *** Job remembers back before his loss when God was taking care of him and God was his friend. (Little does Job know that God is still taking care of him and is still his friend.) *** Job remembers the joy of having his children around him and being esteemed as a respected leader in his community. His words of wisdom meant something and helped people. He was known for his honesty. He was compassionate to the poor and needy. *** Now he is mocked by those who society cast off as fools. He says that God has humbled him. He feels depressed and hopeless. He prays, but God appears not to hear. He feels like God has cast him off as nothing. People count him as worthless. *** Little does Job realize he has been promoted by God to be an example to heaven and earth as a man who will not abandon his honor of God. *** In Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, Paul reports about his journeys to Troas and Macedonia and the opportunity they had to share the good news. He compares sharing the gospel like spreading perfume. We are the fragrance of God to the world. To the unsaved, it smells like death, but to the ones who accept the truth, we smell like life-giving perfume. *** Paul explains the difference of a true evangelist. They don’t preach for money or self-gain but with sincerity and with God’s authority because they know that God is watching. It is all for Him. *** Lord, may our walk today spread the aroma of heaven everywhere we go. May our eyes be open to hearts of others and our purpose here on earth. It is not for us that we live, it is for You, Lord.

Wed.’s Devo - Our Stand With God

Read: Job 23:1-27:23; 2 Corinthians 1:12-2:11; Psalm 41:1-13; Proverbs 22:5-6 Job’s question today is where can he find God so he can present his case. He knows if he can find his dwelling place, God would hear him and pronounce him innocent. God is the only one who knows his life. He controls his destiny. *** Job asks why God doesn’t judge the guilty and bring them to justice. He gives a detailed account of all they do wrong. The grave is full of them. *** Bildad answers that God is the one who enforces peace in heaven. How can any man be innocent before God? *** Job asks him how has he enlightened Job’s stupidity. LOL! He accuses him of offering no legitimate advice. He is certainly not speaking as God. God is control of all that is in heaven and earth because he made it all. Job extols God’s mighty power. He vows that God has done all this to him and he will die defending his integrity. He contends that though the wicked prosper on earth, they will be judged. Their wealth will be given to the righteous. *** In Corinthians, Paul claims he also has a clear conscience before God. He also has lived in integrity and righteousness. He has lived his life and taught his followers to live so that when Jesus returns he will be proud of them. *** It is God who enables us to stand in Christ and have confidence in him. We are the righteousness of Christ to the world. Religion says we can never be righteous, but God says otherwise. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ. *** Lord, thank you that our confidence is in you alone. We have power when we know that You live in us and we are righteous. You are on our side to make us powerful in this world. May we take our stand for your and not bow down. May we walk in the authority you have given us.

Tues.’s Devo - God Our Deliverer

Read: Job 20:1-22:30; 2 Corinthians 1:1-11; Psalm 40:11-17; Proverbs 22:2-4 The friends who sat for a week and never said a word have made up for it. They have given their opinion about everything on their minds, right or wrong. Zophar feels prompted in his spirit to speak again. He explains how the ungodly only have temporary victories on earth. Their success on earth is limited to a short amount of time then their children suffer the consequences of their parent’s evil deeds. They have to pay back everything their parents acquired and they end up living in poverty. *** Job explains that this is not always true. He has seen many very rich and powerful keep their possessions and they pass down to the next generation and they enjoy the pleasures of sin also. He makes it clear that he is not judging people but his complaint is with God, himself. Why doesn’t God punish the ones who sin while they are alive instead of waiting to bring judgment down on their children. He complains that God is being unjust when he puts off judging them here on earth for their sins. Job is making the point that their arguments are not conclusive. *** Eliphaz asks if man even has a purpose when it comes to God. Is a righteous man even a help to God? Maybe God is punishing Job because he is self-righteous. But, no, he doesn’t think this because he believes Job is not righteous and is being judged because of his sins. Then he gives several scenarios that Job might have fallen into (22:6-9). He concludes that Job must return to the Lord and repent, then he will have the favor of God again. Then God will hear Job’s prayers and bless him. *** It is interesting to see that none of the four of these men contemplate Satan and his role on the earth. No one has even mentioned him. Sometimes we do the same thing. We are quick to want God to intervene in our lives when our beef is not with him but with Satan and we have been given the tools to fight him. *** Paul writes a second letter to those in Corinth. He prays for grace and peace for those who are following Christ. He praises God who is the source of all our comfort. We are to share that comfort with others. Maybe the reason Job’s friends could not comfort him was because they didn’t have the Comforter. Paul says that the more we suffer for Christ, the more comfort we will receive and the more comfort we can give others. *** Paul had definitely been through his share of trouble and near death experiences and yet God delivered him out of them all. He has much comfort to share with his brothers and sisters. Through everything we go through, we learn that God is able to rescue us from not only tangible danger but heart-ache and sorrow. *** Lord, thank you for our trials that make our hearts soft and cause us to see how great and powerful you are. You are the one who delivers us out of all our troubles and bless us with joy and comfort.

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.