Read Job 41
Highlights:
God's great power reviewed; Job's submission to God; Job's prayer for his friends; God's blessings to Job.
The Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of Me the thing that is right, as My servant Job hath (Job 42:7).
Job's four friends fully expected the Lord's approval upon their efforts to convince Job how wrong he was. From all outward appearances, they were enjoying God's favor while Job seemed to be experiencing His displeasure. They must have been astounded to hear the voice from heaven say: My wrath is kindled against thee. We usually assume if things are going well that we must be in God's will. Likewise, if things are not going well for another person, their life must be out of God's will. If there is one thing we know about God, He does not think, move or act like this natural, carnal world does. O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out! (Rom. 11:33). Many times, as God begins moving, we have no idea where He is going or what He is doing. So, be careful, not to judge God's plan. Remember, you are looking at what He is doing with natural eyes and a carnal mind. He is a supernatural God working both in the physical and spiritual areas of our lives. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the Law of God, neither indeed can be (8:7).
Little did Job realize that God was pleased with him (Job 42:8). With the utmost confidence, it may be said that if God did not have some reason for our sufferings, He would not permit them. God has a plan and a purpose for everything He does. He clearly said: My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways . . . so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts (Is. 55:8-9). We do go through hard times in this life. Many do not understand how God can allow bad things to happen to good people. God is looking at a much bigger plan for our lives than we are. We are so often only concerned with today, but God desires to work His perfect plan for our whole life. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure (Phil. 2:13).
Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby (Heb. 12:11).
Thought for Today:
God's ways many times are different from man's expectations.
Christ Revealed:
Through Job's praying for his "friends" (Job 42:10). We are reminded that it is Christ . . . who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us (Rom. 8:34).
Word Studies:
41:13 discover the face of his garment, strip off his outer coat of armor; 41:17 sundered, separated; 41:23 flakes, folds; 42:6 abhor, loathe; 42:10 turned the captivity, restored the fortunes.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Staff: Micheal Moore • Government Officials: Rep. Leonard Lance (NJ) and Justice Sonia M. Sotomayor (US Supreme Court) • Country: Jordan (5 million) in southwestern Asia • Major languages: Arabic and English • Religious tolerance • 93% Muslim; 5% Christian • Prayer Suggestion: Offer up your prayer to God, your King, who will hearken to your prayer (Ps. 5:2).
Optional Reading: Philippians 2
Memory Verse for the Week: Lamentations 3:22-23
