History's Greatest Moment

Daily Reading:  Job 4-5

Consider now: Who, being innocent, has ever perished?  Where were the upright ever destroyed?  (Job 4:7)

Devotional Thought: After all the loss Job had been through, he now must listen to his friends preach at him, directly blaming him for the tragedies that had befallen him.  His “friends” could not fathom that such punishment could fall upon an innocent man.  In all their self-righteous religious zeal and their understanding of the all-powerful wrath of a holy God, they failed to recognize any of his other characteristics.  They take a judgmental attitude toward their suffering friend, and instead of comforting him, they condemn him.

The choice of their wording in verse 7 seems prophetic.  “Who, being innocent, has ever perished?”  The ultimate and definitive answer to that comes in the person and work of Jesus.  The only truly innocent person who fulfilled the requirements of God’s holy Law, perished for our sin.  He died on a Roman cross in history’s greatest moment of mercy.  The words of Job’s friends are made foolish by the gospel.

Do we subconsciously (or even consciously) harbor feelings of disdain or judgment towards those who are suffering?  “Well, if they hadn’t gotten mixed up with these people, or hadn’t done this in the past, they wouldn’t be in this situation.”  This is not how Jesus sees the circumstances of his children.  Yes, there may be past sin in our lives that produced consequences under which we still suffer.  But, praise God, there was a past moment of redemption in history that canceled the debt of our sin forever!  If we put our faith in Jesus, he will never cast the stone of judgment at us.  The wages of sin have been paid on our behalf.  Our suffering in this life is not meant to punish us for our forgiven sin, but to draw us closer to him in increasing faith and love.

Jenny

Prayer: Lord, fill our hearts with compassion and mercy towards those around us who are suffering.  Help us to view our suffering as you do – not as your punishment for our sin, but as an opportunity to draw near to you for comfort.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 119:97-104

97 Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day.

98 Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me.

99 I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation.

100 I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts.

101 I hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep your word.

102 I do not turn aside from your rules, for you have taught me.

103 How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

104 Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.