Category: “Listening to God” Devotional

Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Job+036

 

CHAPTER 36 (ESV)

1 And Elihu continued, and said:

2 “Bear with me a little, and I will show you,
for I have yet something to say on God’s behalf.
3 I will get my knowledge from afar
and ascribe righteousness to my Maker.
4 For truly my words are not false;
one who is perfect in knowledge is with you.

5 “Behold, God is mighty, and does not despise any;
he is mighty in strength of understanding.
6 He does not keep the wicked alive,
but gives the afflicted their right.
7 He does not withdraw his eyes from the righteous,
but with kings on the throne
he sets them forever, and they are exalted…

15 He delivers the afflicted by their affliction
and opens their ear by adversity.
16 He also allured you out of distress
into a broad place where there was no cramping,
and what was set on your table was full of fatness.

 

REFLECTION:

Chapters 36 to 37:20 is Elihu’s fourth speech. Elihu was rude to point out that Job should not be disrespectful of God’s words and want to argue with God. However, we should not forget that our purpose is not to blame people, but to build people up and help them turn from mistakes. Elihu talked eloquently, as if he knew everything God did. Although his speech has merits, he lacks love for people and fear of God. People’s understanding of God is just a drop in the ocean. One of the themes of biblical wisdom literature is that God cannot be fully known and we cannot fully understand Him. Through the Bible we can know who God is, how to know Him, and how to establish an eternal relationship with Him, but what we know is not always enough to make us understand all of life’s confusion. There are always more questions in life than answers. There are many mysteries that God has deliberately hidden from us in order to benefit us. We must be in awe and constantly ask God to give us deeper wisdom and confidence to face the difficulties in life.

 

PRAYER:

God, You are the Lord who created and governs all things in the universe. I acknowledge my ignorance and foolishness before You. I thought that reading the Bible more would help me understand everything about You, but the more I read, the more I realize that my knowledge of You is but a tiny drop in the ocean. I cannot fully comprehend You. Nevertheless, I will continue to read the Bible because through it I can learn who You are, how to know You, and how to establish a lasting relationship with You. Although there are many things I do not understand, I know that You have deliberately hidden these things from me for my benefit. Please grant me a heart of reverence, and deeper wisdom and faith to face the difficulties in my life.

 

HYMN:

Perfect Wisdom of Our God – m.youtube.com/watch?v=hSnzYnOe6kI

 

Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Job+035

 

CHAPTER 35 (ESV)

1 And Elihu answered and said:

2 “Do you think this to be just?
Do you say, ‘It is my right before God,’
3 that you ask, ‘What advantage have I?
How am I better off than if I had sinned?’
4 I will answer you
and your friends with you.
5 Look at the heavens, and see;
and behold the clouds, which are higher than you.
6 If you have sinned, what do you accomplish against him?
And if your transgressions are multiplied, what do you do to him?
7 If you are righteous, what do you give to him?
Or what does he receive from your hand?
8 Your wickedness concerns a man like yourself,
and your righteousness a son of man.

 

REFLECTION:

This chapter is Elihu’s third speech trying to answer Job’s third confusion: What is the cause of human suffering? What’s the benefit of keeping faith and not sinning? Elihu believes that the consequences of justice and sin are not borne by God but by man. Since God is not affected by sin or righteousness, there is no reason for Him to deviate from strict justice, and God has clear rewards and punishments. Although Elihu’s statement seemed correct, he made an essential mistake. In fact, man was created in the image of God. God sees everyone as precious. Our words and deeds affect God’s glory and touch His heart. Although our sin does not harm God, it makes God worry for us. God is both a righteous and loving God. When we do not sin and do justice, it not only benefits the people around us, it is also pleasing to God, and we will also receive great rewards from God in the future. In times of trouble, we must not forget that God is always watching us, and He is walking with us mercifully. We keep our faith not only for the benefit of others, but also for the glory of God and a good witness for God.

 

PRAYER:

God, thank You for creating me in Your image and valuing me as precious. When I sin and fall, You are concerned for me. When I act with justice and mercy, it benefits those around me and pleases You, and You will reward me greatly in the future. Please help me not to forget that You are always watching over me during difficult times, and that You compassionately accompany me. Teach me to hold fast to my faith, not only to benefit others but also to glorify You and bear a good witness for You.

 

HYMN:

Lord Let Your Glory Fall – m.youtube.com/watch?v=ENQYKMQEe6c

 

Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Job+034

 

CHAPTER 34 (ESV)

21 “For his eyes are on the ways of a man,
and he sees all his steps.
22 There is no gloom or deep darkness
where evildoers may hide themselves.
23 For God has no need to consider a man further,
that he should go before God in judgment.
24 He shatters the mighty without investigation
and sets others in their place.
25 Thus, knowing their works,
he overturns them in the night, and they are crushed.
26 He strikes them for their wickedness
in a place for all to see,
27 because they turned aside from following him
and had no regard for any of his ways,
28 so that they caused the cry of the poor to come to him,
and he heard the cry of the afflicted—
29 When he is quiet, who can condemn?
When he hides his face, who can behold him,
whether it be a nation or a man?—
30 that a godless man should not reign,
that he should not ensnare the people.

 

REFLECTION:

This chapter is Elihu’s second speech attempting to answer Job’s second confusion: Why is it me? Why find someone who is upright, fears God, and stays away from evil, as the subject of suffering? Although Elihu didn’t know what was going on in heaven, he knew by his own wisdom that Job’s suffering was a trial, but Elihu thought that Job’s performance was not good enough to pass the trial. Therefore, he advised Job to humble himself before God, and persist until the end; to cleanse himself of all the things that are not pleasing to God, so that the fire of trials could refine him. Although Elihu’s speech sounded reasonable, he had no pity. If God only judges people, there is no need to waste time on fallen people. As long as He is willing, all those who reject God in the world will perish immediately. But God did not do this, because He was not only a righteous and holy God, but also a God of mercy and love. He even gave up the life of His only begotten Son to redeem sinners. When we face the suffering of others, what we should do is not to rely on the so-called eloquence to analyze the reasons behind the suffering, even if such analysis sounds reasonable; but weep with those who weep with a kind heart, and try to comfort the suffering people with practical actions.

 

PRAYER:

God, You are a righteous and holy God, full of mercy and love. You gave up the life of Your Only Son, Jesus, to redeem sinners. Yet, I am a person lacking in love. When I see the suffering of others, I only know how to analyze the reasons behind their suffering with what I think is wisdom. I deceive myself into thinking I am very reasonable, but I lack compassion. Please grant me a heart of kindness and sympathy, so that I can weep with those who weep and do my best to comfort those who are suffering through practical actions.

 

HYMN:

As Long As You Are Glorified – m.youtube.com/watch?v=SZHfv2ivUrM

 

Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Job+033

 

CHAPTER 33 (ESV)

1 “But now, hear my speech, O Job,
and listen to all my words.
2 Behold, I open my mouth;
the tongue in my mouth speaks.
3 My words declare the uprightness of my heart,
and what my lips know they speak sincerely.
4 The Spirit of God has made me,
and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.
5 Answer me, if you can;
set your words in order before me; take your stand.
6 Behold, I am toward God as you are;
I too was pinched off from a piece of clay.
7 Behold, no fear of me need terrify you;
my pressure will not be heavy upon you.

8 “Surely you have spoken in my ears,
and I have heard the sound of your words.
9 You say, ‘I am pure, without transgression;
I am clean, and there is no iniquity in me.
10 Behold, he finds occasions against me,
he counts me as his enemy,
11 he puts my feet in the stocks
and watches all my paths.’

12 “Behold, in this you are not right. I will answer you,
for God is greater than man.

 

REFLECTION:

Job wanted to know what had happened and why he suffered, but he could not get the answer. Through the scriptures, we could feel Job’s deep frustration and despair. Elihu claimed that he could answer Job’s confusion. Elihu told Job that God was trying to answer him, but he didn’t listen. Elihu weighed God’s mind according to his own mind, and came to a completely wrong conclusion. We must understand that if God answers all our questions, we will not face a real test. There are many questions which we are eager to know the answer to but God will not answer them! What if God said, “Job, Satan wants to test you and make you miserable, but in the end you will be healed and everything you have will be restored?” Job’s greatest test was not the suffering he suffered, but that he did not know why he suffered. Today, our greatest test may be that even if we do not know why our lives are not smooth, we must still believe that God is good. We must believe that a good God has a better will for our lives, not just a good life for us in this life.

 

PRAYER:

God, everyone wants to know what will happen in the future so that we can avoid misfortune and seek blessings. I am no exception, and I wish You would tell me the answers to all my questions. But I forget that You intend to test my faith in uncertain situations about the future. Please grant me steadfast faith, so that even when I don’t understand why my life is not smooth, I can still believe that You are a good God with a greater purpose for my life, rather than just giving me a good life in this world.

 

HYMN:

God, You’re So Good – m.youtube.com/watch?v=yMji7TypHOI

 

Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Job+032

 

CHAPTER 32 (ESV)

1 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2 Then Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned with anger. He burned with anger at Job because he justified himself rather than God. 3 He burned with anger also at Job’s three friends because they had found no answer, although they had declared Job to be in the wrong. 4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he. 5 And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, he burned with anger.

 

REFLECTION:

When Job, Eliphaz, Bildad and Zopha had nothing to say, Elihu became the fourth person to speak to Job. He appears to be a bystander and much younger than everyone else, but he introduces a novel perspective. When three of Job’s friends said that Job suffered from past sins, Elihu said that, unless Job confessed his current sins, he would continue to suffer. He believes that Job did not suffer because of sin, but sinned because of suffering. He pointed out that Job’s attitude became proud when he defended his innocence. Elihu also said that the pain is not to punish us, but to correct and revive us so that we are on the right path. There are many truths in Elihu’s words, but he still erroneously infers that pain is always related to sin to some extent, and that proper treatment of pain always leads to healing and recovery. The impressive part of this passage is that Elihu was angry with both Job and his three friends, and he was even more proud than Job and his three friends. We should be vigilant. Sometimes we, like Elihu, think we have the truth, but in fact we are blinded by pride!

 

PRAYER:

God, Your word teaches me that man’s anger does not produce the righteousness of God, and those who judge others will also be judged. I pray that You help me not to follow in Elihu’s footsteps, thinking I have grasped the truth, yet being blinded by pride. This not only fails to help my friends but also damages our relationships and brings shame to Your name. Please grant me a gentle and humble heart of empathy, so that I can truly understand others’ needs and speak words that are fitting.

 

HYMN:

When I Survey the Wondrous across – m.youtube.com/watch?v=Tkx8WAycYAc

 

Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Job+031

 

CHAPTER 31 (ESV)

35 Oh, that I had one to hear me!
(Here is my signature! Let the Almighty answer me!)
Oh, that I had the indictment written by my adversary!
36 Surely I would carry it on my shoulder;
I would bind it on me as a crown;
37 I would give him an account of all my steps;
like a prince I would approach him.

38 “If my land has cried out against me
and its furrows have wept together,
39 if I have eaten its yield without payment
and made its owners breathe their last,
40 let thorns grow instead of wheat,
and foul weeds instead of barley.”

The words of Job are ended.

 

REFLECTION:

In Chapter 29, Job reviews his good deeds. In this chapter, he enumerated the sins he had never committed. Job also stated that he did not try to hide his sin as ordinary people do. Job’s words were finally finished, and the end of man was the beginning of God. God led Job to such a point that all that he could say was finished, all the pain was expressed, and Job finally quieted down, waiting for God to speak to him. God spoke to Job through Elihu and prepared Job before God appeared to him and spoke directly to him. This process is painful, but this is not the end. It was not God’s final purpose for the Israelites to go out of Egypt, it was to enter Canaan; emptying was not the purpose, it was to be filled; demolishing was not the purpose, it was to rebuild; suffering was not the purpose, glory was. God doesn’t stop here because God not only wants Job to know himself, but also to reform his life so that he truly knows God. Remember, when you feel desperate and everything is hopeless, that is often the time when God wants to speak to you and rebuild your life.

 

PRAYER:

God, my prayers to You often consist of only me speaking and not listening to Your voice. Today’s scripture shows me that Job finally quieted down, waiting for You to speak to him. The end of man is the beginning of You. Please teach me to learn to be more quiet before You, not to seek what I want, nor to ask You to fulfill my requests, but simply to enjoy Your presence, receive Your reminders and guidance, and reshape my life to regain strength to follow You.

 

HYMN:

Holy, Holy, Holy – m.youtube.com/watch?v=YdbxSpJn1yQ

 

Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Job+030

 

CHAPTER 30 (ESV)

1 “But now they laugh at me,
men who are younger than I,
whose fathers I would have disdained
to set with the dogs of my flock…

9 “And now I have become their song;
I am a byword to them.
10 They abhor me; they keep aloof from me;
they do not hesitate to spit at the sight of me…

16 “And now my soul is poured out within me;
days of affliction have taken hold of me…
20 I cry to you for help and you do not answer me;
I stand, and you only look at me.
21 You have turned cruel to me;
with the might of your hand you persecute me.
22 You lift me up on the wind; you make me ride on it,
and you toss me about in the roar of the storm.
23 For I know that you will bring me to death
and to the house appointed for all living.

 

REFLECTION:

In Chapter 30 Job describes the humiliation he suffered in suffering. It is hard to bear Job’s loss, and it is even worse to be ridiculed and humiliated by a pretentious young man. Job has lost all the good things in his life: his family, property, health, status and fame. He courageously endured these sufferings without the understanding and respect of the people. In addition to the torment of the suffering itself, there was another level of mental torture. We must understand that in real life, humiliation often comes with suffering. In suffering, we not only bear the pain of suffering itself, but also bear the burden of humiliation and keep moving forward. However, let us not forget that although the world does not understand us and even ridicule us, God is walking with us. We thought that God was silent to us. In fact, God did not forsake us for a moment. He loves us and loves us to the end. He is our only support and comfort in suffering.

 

PRAYER:

God, You are full of grace and mercy. In my journey as a Christian following You, sometimes others may not understand me, and some may even mock me. But I know You will walk with me. When I think You are silent, in reality, You have never left me. You love me and love me to the end. You are my only support and comfort in times of suffering.

 

HYMN:

Not for a Moment – www.youtube.com/watch?v=08s3GKRict8

 

Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Job+029

 

CHAPTER 29 (ESV)

1 And Job again took up his discourse, and said:

2 “Oh, that I were as in the months of old,
as in the days when God watched over me,
3 when his lamp shone upon my head,
and by his light I walked through darkness,
4 as I was in my prime,
when the friendship of God was upon my tent,
5 when the Almighty was yet with me,
when my children were all around me,…

14 I put on righteousness, and it clothed me;
my justice was like a robe and a turban…

21 “Men listened to me and waited
and kept silence for my counsel…

25 I chose their way and sat as chief,
and I lived like a king among his troops,
like one who comforts mourners.

 

REFLECTION:

In Chapter 29, Job answers his friends’ accusations by boasting about his past achievements and recalling his past good deeds. Although Job showed that it was all due to God’s protection, he was mainly boasting of his achievements. He was not far from pride. This was very dangerous. When we succeed, it is particularly easy to fall into the trap of pride. Pride makes us think we are better than we really are, which separates us from God. Immediately following our pride is the tendency to blindly believe in our point of view and take God’s glory for ourselves, which leads to another series of sins. It is not wrong to list past achievements, but it is best to count God’s blessings for us. This will help us avoid falling into pride and have a grateful heart to face all encounters in life.

 

PRAYER:

God, Your words remind me that pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall. When I think of myself as better than I actually am, I am taking away Your glory, and my relationship with You becomes more distant. I ask for Your help to count the blessings You have given me more often, so I can avoid falling into pride. Grant me a grateful heart to face all the situations in life.

 

HYMN:

The Wonderful Cross – www.youtube.com/watch?v=qC1IllbwX4w

 

Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Job+028

 

CHAPTER 28 (ESV)

23 “God understands the way to it,
and he knows its place.
24 For he looks to the ends of the earth
and sees everything under the heavens.
25 When he gave to the wind its weight
and apportioned the waters by measure,
26 when he made a decree for the rain
and a way for the lightning of the thunder,
27 then he saw it and declared it;
he established it, and searched it out.
28 And he said to man,
‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom,
and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”

 

REFLECTION:

In Chapter 28, Job tells the true meaning of wisdom. If people do not understand the importance of the Word of God, they will naturally search for wisdom in the world. People are constantly searching for the direction of life from many philosophers and leaders, but Job said that wisdom cannot be found in the world. No leader or philosopher has enough knowledge or insight to explain the entire life. For questions such as the ultimate meaning of life, who we are, where we came from and where we are going, the answer must be from outside the world and higher than our thinking. As we look for guidance, we should look for God’s revealed wisdom in the Bible. We must know and trust the Lord of Life in order to transcend the boundaries of life. Here Job points out that “the fear of the Lord” is the true wisdom, and this is also the key theme of biblical wisdom literature (from Job to Song of Solomon). The desire for God, the fear of His authority and majesty, is the beginning of all wisdom.

 

PRAYER:

God, You are the source of wisdom; reverence for You is the beginning of wisdom, and knowing You is understanding. People attempt to explain the ultimate meaning of life, who we are, where we come from, and where we are going using their own knowledge or insights, but they only become more confused. The answers come from beyond this world, from the Lord of Life, who surpasses human thought. Lord, grant me a humble heart that reveres You, so that I may obtain true wisdom.

 

HYMN:

The Fear of the Lord – www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZ5SnupM8Ws

 

Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Job+027

 

CHAPTER 27 (ESV)

1 And Job again took up his discourse, and said:

2 “As God lives, who has taken away my right,
and the Almighty, who has made my soul bitter,
3 as long as my breath is in me,
and the spirit of God is in my nostrils,
4 my lips will not speak falsehood,
and my tongue will not utter deceit.
5 Far be it from me to say that you are right;
till I die I will not put away my integrity from me.
6 I hold fast my righteousness and will not let it go;
my heart does not reproach me for any of my days.

7 “Let my enemy be as the wicked,
and let him who rises up against me be as the unrighteous.

 

REFLECTION:

Job agreed with what his friends have said that the end of the wicked will be perdition. But he disagreed that he was accused of being wicked and should be punished by God. Many of the punishments Job enumerated never hit him, so he did not think he could be included among the wicked. Instead, he continued to ask God to defend him. In many allegations, Job can still claim his innocence. Because he understood that a clear conscience can only be attained by living in God’s righteousness and being forgiven by God. Job seemed to be boasting, but he was boasting of what he deserved, not self-righteousness. Today, like Job, we cannot boast that we are sinless, but as long as we truly confess our sins, we can boast that our sins have been forgiven. When we truly confess our sins to God, He forgives us and we can live a life with clear conscience.

 

PRAYER:

Lord, who searches the hearts, I confess my transgressions to You. I have sinned against heaven and against You. I regret the sins I have committed and sincerely confess and repent before You. Please forgive my sins and cleanse me with the blood of Jesus, restoring a righteous spirit within me. I ask the Holy Spirit to guide me to live a life of clear conscience every day.

 

HYMN:

All I Once Held Dear – www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4IgusP8Z8w