January 21 - Job 8:1-11:20

Good morning everyone,

Well, as we continue, Job has just prayed to God basically asking Him, “If I have sinned, what do you want from me? What’s going on here?” He was respectful and sincere as he approached the Lord. I can see it all, Job took a moment to to just be quiet. To perhaps pray silently and … boom! Bildad just could not keep quiet anymore. Basically he calls Job a windbag and proceeds to tell him that it isn’t only his sin that is the problem but his children’s sin as well and that Job continues to sin by denying he is in sin. 

While I feel Bildad could have shown a bit more compassion for his friend, however, I really liked the analogy he made in 8:11-13 “Can papyrus grow tall where there is no marsh? Can reeds thrive without water? While still growing and uncut, they wither more quickly than grass. Such is the destiny of all who forget God; so perishes the hope of the godless.” We all need God’s word to keep us going, the daily nourishment, encouragement, water to help us grow. You know as well as I do what a struggle it can be out in the world, how it can drain us of all our strength. I saw this passage and immediately thought of Jesus telling the woman at the well “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I  will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” Eternal life! Oh, such a great promise.

Zophar, was the last to speak, probably making him the youngest and as young people can be a little more “matter-of-fact-ish”, if you know what I mean. Again, these three guys obviously loved Job, they traveled a great distance to be with him so however crass or “cowboy up” their words sounded, I am confident their hearts were in the right place.

While reading these chapters where Job is having dialog with Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar it is important for us to remember that it was not God who inflicted any of this mayhem on Job. It was Satan, but God believed in Job. God knew Job to be the man He claimed him to be and because Job never once cursed God, he was able to silence the voice of the enemy.

We too have the ability to silence the voice of the enemy when we choose to be righteous, when we choose God. You see, Job didn't have the opportunity, like we do, to read the book of Job. He wasn’t privy to how the enemy can work in us and on us. How he messes with our minds polluting them, twisting the truth until we just throw up our hands and say “Why!?” Job didn’t get a heads up on what can come our way, the chance to be aware and prepare, he was a pioneer, he didn’t know the rewards he would receive for being faithful to his God, our God. We, on the other hand, have the Bible and resource after resource to help us know God’s voice and prepare for attacks from the enemy. They allow us the ability to see what can be lurking around the corner ready to pounce on us. 

In Ephesians 6:10-18 we are encouraged with, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

Friends, we will all be tested, put through the fire it is not a matter of “if” but rather “when.” The question is; “How will we handle it?” Let me tell you. You’ll pick up your shield of faith and believe in God’s bigger plan. Right?  Job sits in heaven today not thinking “Why did I have to go through all that?” No, no, no, he sits there, probably front row center, now able to see the big picture, praising the God who loves him. The God that saw him through. That’s where I want to be! And that’s where I hope to see you too. Amen?

Just as a side note, this has nothing to do with anything, but it was so hard for me, while writing today, to not say something to the effect of “Zo phar (so far) we have been reading” …. (you know that’s kind of funny) :-) Just thought I’d share.

Have a great day you guys and to God our father be all glory, honor and praise!

God bless you all …..