Category: “Listening to God” Devotional

Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Job+016

 

CHAPTER 16 (ESV)

1 Then Job answered and said:

2 “I have heard many such things;
miserable comforters are you all.
3 Shall windy words have an end?
Or what provokes you that you answer?
4 I also could speak as you do,
if you were in my place;
I could join words together against you
and shake my head at you.
5 I could strengthen you with my mouth,
and the solace of my lips would assuage your pain….

18 “O earth, cover not my blood,
and let my cry find no resting place.
19 Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven,
and he who testifies for me is on high.
20 My friends scorn me;
my eye pours out tears to God,
21 that he would argue the case of a man with God,
as a son of man does with his neighbor.
22 For when a few years have come
I shall go the way from which I shall not return.

 

REFLECTION:

1. Job’s friends should have comforted Job in grief, but instead of doing so, they blamed him for his suffering. Job called his three friends “miserable comforters.” Job’s words reveal how a comforter should comfort those who are in pain: first of all, we should not judge things by artificial judgment; secondly we should not criticize or accuse; what we should do more is to personally feel the pain of others, and to help and encourage them with tender love. The best comforters are those who have experienced pain themselves, and thus understand deeply the pain of others.
2. Job was afraid that God would abandon him, and he appealed directly to God (his witness and mediator) for his innocence. A witnesses is the one who has witnessed what happened; a mediator is an agent who can help him resolve his dispute with God. Job used these to show that he rested all the hope on his self-defence before God in heaven, for he was afraid he might die before he could defend himself on earth. From the New Testament, we know that Jesus Christ acts as our mediator and that He has overcome the world. Therefore, we should not be afraid and face it with heavenly peace, no matter what the situation is.

 

PRAYER:

God, please help me not to be a ‘miserable comforter.’ My heart desires to comfort those who are in pain, but I cannot control my tendency to criticize and accuse others. Please enable me to truly empathize with others’ suffering and to provide help and encouragement with a gentle and loving heart. Make me a ‘comforter who brings joy.’

 

HYMN:

Son of God – www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUylLWhtAr4

 

Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Job+015

 

CHAPTER 15 (ESV)
1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said:

2 “Should a wise man answer with windy knowledge,
and fill his belly with the east wind?
3 Should he argue in unprofitable talk,
or in words with which he can do no good?
4 But you are doing away with the fear of God
and hindering meditation before God.
5 For your iniquity teaches your mouth,
and you choose the tongue of the crafty.
6 Your own mouth condemns you, and not I;
your own lips testify against you.

 

REFLECTION:

After the first round of conversation, each friend went on to elaborate their arguments in the same order. Job responded one by one. Eliphaz’s tone was even ruder, more intense and more condemned, but he did not say anything new. He first said that Job’s words were empty and useless, and then emphasized that Job was a sinner. According to Eliphaz, the wisdom and experience of their ancestors were more valuable than Job’s personal thoughts. Eliphaz believed that his own words were as true as the words of God, and his arrogance was obvious. We should be wary of not repeating Eliphaz’s arrogance and coldness in ourselves! Those who use truth as a weapon to attack others are not those who are keeping the truth. The truth of God is for us to forsake sin and continue to grow. The only thing we have to do is to obey God’s truth and ask God to build us up and make fundamental changes in our own lives.

 

PRAYER:

God, please search my heart and see if there is any arrogance or prejudice towards others within me. Although I have a love for Your Word, I easily use Your truth as a weapon to attack others, rather than truly upholding the truth. Please use Your truth to help me abandon sin and continually grow, to follow Your truth, and to shape my life to become more like the Lord Jesus.

 

HYMN:

Speak Now Jesus – www.youtube.com/watch?v=13vIikUCzUg

 

Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Job+014

 

CHAPTER 14 (ESV)
1 “Man who is born of a woman
is few of days and full of trouble.
2 He comes out like a flower and withers;
he flees like a shadow and continues not.
3 And do you open your eyes on such a one
and bring me into judgment with you?
4 Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean?
There is not one.
5 Since his days are determined,
and the number of his months is with you,
and you have appointed his limits that he cannot pass,
6 look away from him and leave him alone,
that he may enjoy, like a hired hand, his day.

 

REFLECTION:

Life is short and full of sorrow, which is Job’s lamentation in extreme pain. Illness, loneliness, and death made Job feel that his life was not fair. Yet Job had hope in the midst of great suffering. No matter how unfair the world is today, and no matter how much suffering we endure, God promises to walk with us. Are you confident in accepting this promise from God? Job’s remarks in this chapter also illustrate an important truth: knowing what you believe does not mean pleasing God, and truth that has not been tested by life is sluggish and inactive. Just as the arid land urges the roots of trees to grow deeper in search of water, the deeper they take root, the more likely they are to approach the hidden stream. The same is true of suffering, which can urge us to truly experience God’s grace beyond the superficial knowledge of truth, and thus have a beautiful hope and abundant life.

 

PRAYER:

God, thank You for promising that You will be with me in any circumstance. Although life includes suffering such as illness, loneliness, and death, I cannot get through these on my own. However, in my suffering, You allow me to truly experience Your grace, causing my spiritual life to take deep roots and bear fruit, leading to beautiful hope and abundant life.

 

HYMN:

Beautiful Saviour – www.youtube.com/watch?v=aq6LFTzgBo0

 

Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Job+013

 

CHAPTER 13 (ESV)
20 Only grant me two things,
then I will not hide myself from your face:
21 withdraw your hand far from me,
and let not dread of you terrify me.
22 Then call, and I will answer;
or let me speak, and you reply to me.
23 How many are my iniquities and my sins?
Make me know my transgression and my sin.
24 Why do you hide your face
and count me as your enemy?
25 Will you frighten a driven leaf
and pursue dry chaff?
26 For you write bitter things against me
and make me inherit the iniquities of my youth.
27 You put my feet in the stocks
and watch all my paths;
you set a limit for the soles of my feet.
28 Man wastes away like a rotten thing,
like a garment that is moth-eaten.

 

REFLECTION:

Job didn’t understand why an upright person suffered, and he didn’t understand why God was silent in His suffering—as if God regarded Job as an enemy and didn’t answer him in a word. Job saw himself as a prisoner of God, with his feet in the stocks, under constant surveillance, and marking on the soles of his feet, suffering like slaves. Job did not understand which of his sins had caused so much misery, and he assumed the consequences of “the iniquities of his youth.” Yet all of Job’s inferences were wrong. He did not know that it was Satan who attacked him, and he did not understand the reason behind it. Have you ever fallen into the same confusion as Job? Understand that God is the God of grace and mercy, and the God of righteousness. There are things you may not understand, but it’s not time to tell you. Keep moving forward with faith and patience. God’s promises will give you hope in hopeless situations.

 

PRAYER:

God, why do the righteous suffer? Why do You remain silent in my suffering? Although there are many things I do not understand, one thing I am sure of is that You are a God full of grace and mercy, and You are also a God who reveals justice. One day, You will make Your intentions clear to me. Please grant me faith and patience to hold on to Your promises and continue forward.

 

HYMN:

Cry in my Heart – www.youtube.com/watch?v=81MjSOwR5qw

 

Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Job+012

 

CHAPTER 12 (ESV)
1 Then Job answered and said:

2 “No doubt you are the people,
and wisdom will die with you.
3 But I have understanding as well as you;
I am not inferior to you.
Who does not know such things as these?
4 I am a laughingstock to my friends;
I, who called to God and he answered me,
a just and blameless man, am a laughingstock.
5 In the thought of one who is at ease there is contempt for misfortune;
it is ready for those whose feet slip.
6 The tents of robbers are at peace,
and those who provoke God are secure,
who bring their god in their hand.

 

REFLECTION:

Job answered Zophar with great ridicule: “wisdom will die with you.” He told his three friends that they didn’t need to preach to him, and they completely misunderstood the reason for his suffering. Although Job did not know the reason, he was sure that the reasons mentioned by the three friends were narrow and wrong. Job again asked God to give him the answer. Job determined that no one except God had perfect wisdom and that no one’s mind could exceed God’s mind. When we seek human guidance to make decisions, we must realize that no wisdom in the world can be compared with the wisdom of God. At the same time, we should pray to God and ask for His Will humbly. Although you often don’t get the answer right away, God will lead you in His way, with a result exceeding what you ask and think. Have you ever experienced disappointment when asking someone for answers? Do you look to God humbly?

 

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, I look to You with my whole heart. Only You possess complete wisdom, and no human thoughts can surpass Your understanding. Even though sometimes no one may understand my heart, I trust that You can see into it. You will surely discern my thoughts and feelings and understand my struggles. Please guide me to walk in Your will and grant me a humble and obedient heart to follow You faithfully.

 

HYMN:

God Will Make A Way – www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zo3fJYtS-o

 

Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Job+011

 

CHAPTER 11 (ESV)
1 Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said:

2 “Should a multitude of words go unanswered,
and a man full of talk be judged right?
3 Should your babble silence men,
and when you mock, shall no one shame you?
4 For you say, ‘My doctrine is pure,
and I am clean in God’s eyes.’
5 But oh, that God would speak
and open his lips to you,
6 and that he would tell you the secrets of wisdom!
For he is manifold in understanding.
Know then that God exacts of you less than your guilt deserves.
 

REFLECTION:

Zophar was Job’s third friend and the most arrogant. He slammed Job and even thought that Job deserved more punishment. Zophar took the same position as Elifa and Bildad, the first two friends, and believed that Job suffered as a result of his sins. Zophar’s words were more intense. Although Zophar’s conclusion was wrong, his words did contain some truth. Zophar accused Job of hidden sins. Of course, as a person, Job could not be completely innocent, so Zophar’s accusation held, but this was not the reason for Job’s suffering. Zophar pointed out quite sharply that God has insight into all our hidden sins. The word of God is faster than all swords. It can split our souls and joints and expose the most unspeakable parts of our hearts under the sun. Zophar seemed to be a person who held judgments on everything, but instead of comforting Job, his judgment hurt Job deeply. We should learn from the negative example of Zophar and keep in mind what the Lord Jesus teaches. Don’t judge people, lest we be judged, and we should treat people with mercy and compassion.

 

PRAYER:

God, please help me not to be someone who judges others but rather someone who comforts others, for only You can see into the hearts of people. All have sinned and fallen short of Your glory. If even You do not judge me, how can I dare to judge others? Please let me always treat others with a heart of compassion and mercy.

 

HYMN:

Mighty to Save – www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCZ3Kcl4uEQ

 

Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Job+010

 

CHAPTER 10 (ESV)

8 Your hands fashioned and made me,
and now you have destroyed me altogether.
9 Remember that you have made me like clay;
and will you return me to the dust?
10 Did you not pour me out like milk
and curdle me like cheese?
11 You clothed me with skin and flesh,
and knit me together with bones and sinews.
12 You have granted me life and steadfast love,
and your care has preserved my spirit.
13 Yet these things you hid in your heart;
I know that this was your purpose.
14 If I sin, you watch me
and do not acquit me of my iniquity.
15 If I am guilty, woe to me!
If I am in the right, I cannot lift up my head,
for I am filled with disgrace
and look on my affliction.
16 And were my head lifted up, you would hunt me like a lion
and again work wonders against me.
17 You renew your witnesses against me
and increase your vexation toward me;
you bring fresh troops against me.

 

REFLECTION:

In disappointment, Job reached the wrong conclusion that God was determined to deal with him. Wrong ideas lead to wrong conclusions. We should not make conclusions about our lives with our limited experience. If you find yourself doubting God, you should realize that you don’t know all the facts. God just wants to give you the most abundant life. Many people have to endure great pain, but in the end they will find something better. When you’re struggling, don’t think about the worst, because God’s thoughts are higher than our thoughts, and His ways are higher than our ways. You should keep the hope, and focus on God’s love and faithfulness for whoever endures to the end will be greatly rewarded by God.

 

PRAYER:

God, please forgive my ignorance. I often make wrong conclusions based on wrong ideas, resulting in my failure to follow Your will. I have thought that an abundant life means a smooth and prosperous life, not understanding that there is greater blessing behind suffering. Lord, teach me to focus on Your love and faithfulness, for those who endure to the end will be saved.

 

HYMN:

Loving My Jesus – www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnJFGtAXxGs

 

Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Job+009

 

CHAPTER 9 (ESV)

1 Then Job answered and said:

2 “Truly I know that it is so:
But how can a man be in the right before God?
3 If one wished to contend with him,
one could not answer him once in a thousand times.
4 He is wise in heart and mighty in strength
—who has hardened himself against him, and succeeded?—
5 he who removes mountains, and they know it not,
when he overturns them in his anger,
6 who shakes the earth out of its place,
and its pillars tremble;
7 who commands the sun, and it does not rise;
who seals up the stars;
8 who alone stretched out the heavens
and trampled the waves of the sea;
9 who made the Bear and Orion,
the Pleiades and the chambers of the south;
10 who does great things beyond searching out,
and marvelous things beyond number.
11 Behold, he passes by me, and I see him not;
he moves on, but I do not perceive him.
12 Behold, he snatches away; who can turn him back?
Who will say to him, ‘What are you doing?’

 

REFLECTION:

Job was praising God’s power on the surface, but his tone contained grievances. To Job, Bildad’s words were nothing new. Job already knew that the wicked would eventually be destroyed, but why would he be destroyed? Job felt that he should not suffer in this way and reported his suffering to God. However, he also knew it would be useless to argue with God. Job did not claim to be perfect, but he did claim to be good and faithful. Although Job expressed impatience with God, he did not resist or curse Him. God loves us. He permits us to complain to him like Job, just as children in the world complain to their fathers. But we must not have resentment for God because of this, and fall into Satan’s schemes and depart from God.

 

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, thank You for listening to my complaints. In any circumstance, You hear my prayers, even my grievances and reproaches. Please help me to always believe that You are a loving God. Help me not to harbor resentment against You, which could lead me into Satan’s deceit and away from You.

 

HYMN:

God of All My Days – www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYkZE8AogDE

 

Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Job+008

 
CHAPTER 8 (ESV)
1 Then Bildad the Shuhite answered and said:

2 “How long will you say these things,
and the words of your mouth be a great wind?
3 Does God pervert justice?
Or does the Almighty pervert the right?
4 If your children have sinned against him,
he has delivered them into the hand of their transgression.
5 If you will seek God
and plead with the Almighty for mercy,
6 if you are pure and upright,
surely then he will rouse himself for you
and restore your rightful habitation.
7 And though your beginning was small,
your latter days will be very great.

8 “For inquire, please, of bygone ages,
and consider what the fathers have searched out.
9 For we are but of yesterday and know nothing,
for our days on earth are a shadow.
10 Will they not teach you and tell you
and utter words out of their understanding?

 
REFLECTION:
Bildad was very disappointed because Job still claimed innocence while questioning God’s righteousness. Bildad’s understanding of God’s righteousness was correct – God rewards good and punishes bad. However, his deduction based on the reasoning was wrong. Bildad’s view was: God could not be unrighteous so He would not punish righteous people, therefore Job must be unrighteous. However, Job’s suffering was not because of God’s punishment. Like Eliphaz, Bildad also wrongly assumed that people suffered because they had sinned. Bildad was even less sympathetic than Eliphaz. He said Job’s children died because of the evil they had done. We live in this world of injustice today. We must be careful to avoid the mistakes of Bildad, not to judge others by the righteousness of God, but to show compassion to those who suffer, regardless of the reason for their suffering.

 
PRAYER:
God, please help me not to judge others by Your righteousness, but to care for those who suffer with compassion. Help me understand that Your thoughts are higher than my thoughts, and Your ways higher than my ways. You are a God of justice and mercy; teach me to treat those around me with the same justice and mercy.

 
HYMN:
God of This City – www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5rbA2k4JwM

 

Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Job+007

 

CHAPTER 7 (ESV)

11 “Therefore I will not restrain my mouth;
I will speak in the anguish of my spirit;
I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.
12 Am I the sea, or a sea monster,
that you set a guard over me?
13 When I say, ‘My bed will comfort me,
my couch will ease my complaint,’
14 then you scare me with dreams
and terrify me with visions,
15 so that I would choose strangling
and death rather than my bones.
16 I loathe my life; I would not live forever.
Leave me alone, for my days are a breath.
17 What is man, that you make so much of him,
and that you set your heart on him,
18 visit him every morning
and test him every moment?
19 How long will you not look away from me,
nor leave me alone till I swallow my spit?
20 If I sin, what do I do to you, you watcher of mankind?
Why have you made me your mark?
Why have I become a burden to you?
21 Why do you not pardon my transgression
and take away my iniquity?
For now I shall lie in the earth;
you will seek me, but I shall not be.”

 

REFLECTION:

1. Job deeply felt the pain and distress and he vented his emotion of despair by honestly telling God how he felt. If we need to express our feeling to God, we can learn from Job not to talk too aggressively or act impulsively, as this will hurt others and yourself. When emotions drown us, we can express to God through prayer. This will help you understand your situation from eternal perspective, and give you greater strength to face the situation actively.
2. Job directly complained to God about his suffering. Although Job was blameless in his life, he started to doubt the value of his life. From Job’s perspective, he thought God was unfair because God did not take care of him. Later on, God blamed Job for such attitude. Satan always uses such ideas to make us betray God. Like Job, our suffering may not be the result of the sins we committed. However, we must be careful not to sin as a result of our suffering.

 

PRAYER:

God, I acknowledge that I am an impulsive person and sometimes lose control of my emotions, saying things that hurt others. Please forgive my transgressions and grant me the courage to apologize to those I have wronged. Help me to diligently keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

 

HYMN:

Cry of the Broken – www.youtube.com/watch?v=yD4kKCOBFi0