Finish the Job

Daily Reading:  Job 23-24

He will complete what he appoints for me. (Job 23.14)

Devotional Thought: My friend, Kenny, is studying for the ministry.  I have partnered with him and given him many assignments as part of his ministerial development.  It is a delight to work with him because I know that when he says he's going to do something, it's going to get done.  Kenny is just that way.  I don't have to remind him.  I don't have to worry about it.  He will complete it.

It's good to have a friend like that, isn't it?  You may not have an earthly friend like that, but we all have a Friend who is even more faithful, don't we?  He will, as Job said, "complete what he appoints for us."  Job's life had taken an unexpected turn, but Job somehow knew that God was not done with him - that God had more work to do.  And so, in faith, Job waited.  Through sorrow and sickness, through separation and skepticism, Job waited.

Centuries later, the Apostle Paul sat in a Roman prison and wrote to some of his most faithful friends of the most faithful Friend.  In spite of being beaten and jailed, rejected and persecuted, bereft and impoverished, Paul wrote this: "I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."

So, when life's trials come one after the other, remember that you can say with Job, "He knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold" (Job 23.10).

Prayer: Help me, O Lord, to trust in you until the day you appear to bring all things to their conclusion.  On that day you will be called "Faithful and True."  May I be found faithful on that day. Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 121.1-4

1 I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?

2 My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.

4 Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.