Daily Reading: Job 30-31
I cry to you for help and you do not answer me; I stand, and you only look at me. (Job 30.20)
Devotional Thought: As Job continues to lament over his life, which is in shambles, he reveals some fundamental misunderstandings about God. Feeling abandoned, he gives voice to his frustrations in verses 19-23. “I cry to you for help and you do not answer me… You have turned cruel to me; with the might of your hand you persecute me…. You toss me about in the roar of the storm.” While we know "The Rest of the Story", Job, in the middle of the turmoil, has lost sight of the character of God.
First, God does not ever turn his face from his children. His silence during our suffering is meant to teach us something, to refine us, to draw us closer into relationship with him as we learn to trust him more.
Second, God does not ever persecute us. That is the job of our enemy, the Accuser who comes before the throne of God to “accuse them before our God day and night,” (Revelation 12.10). Far from persecuting the children he loves, God gives us a Mediator (1 Timothy 2.5) who also intercedes for us continually at the right hand of God (Romans 8.34).
Third, God does not toss us about capriciously in the roar of the storm. Yes, he asks us to walk through those storms sometimes. However, he never asks us to do this alone. He repeats himself over and over throughout Scripture, “The Lord himself goes before you; he will be with you. He will never leave you or forsake you,” (Deuteronomy 31.8).
Yes, suffering comes, even to those who love the Lord, even to Job. We can be assured that our suffering is always for a purpose, to produce in us perseverance, character and hope (Romans 5.4).
Jenny
Prayer: Lord, when we are tossed about by life’s storms, help us to calm ourselves in your presence. You have promised that you will never leave us or forsake us, and you have given us your Spirit to comfort us in our time of need.
Psalm of the Day: Psalm 122.6-9
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! "May they be secure who love you!
7 Peace be within your walls and security within your towers!"
8 For my brothers and companions' sake I will say, "Peace be within you!"
9 For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your good.
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