Our reading in Job

[BrittanyKeymaster]

As we read through Job I can’t help, but really ponder on Job’s friends’ and their roles. For the first seven days they don’t say a word. They sit in the silence of Job’s grief. There’s such much to learn here I believe. Because during troubled times we are unaware of what to say when I believe sometimes just being there in silence is enough.

For seven days they were sad with Job.

And, then they spoke.

We all know what happened after that. Bilidad accused Job of doing something that had brought all of this reproach upon himself and his family. As Job grieved for his children more than anything he had lost I’m sure this hurt Job to the core. Eliphaz gets in on it now as he states that, “If your children have sinned against him, he has delivered them into the hand of their transgression” (8:4). Eliphaz is not sayin God has delivered them to the hands of Satan for his sins as well!!!

Now we see in our reading that his wife, Zophar, was about as much support and help as his friends were. Her plea to Job was just to give up.

I want to remind you friends as you read these harsh words that seem so gloomy from the people Job loved, God chose Job to go through this to test his faith. Job 1:8 states, “Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.”

God chose Job. God is choosing us right now to trust and to walk through the fire and through it all come unhinged still proclaiming His holy name.

We can learn so much from how Job reacted. But, we can learn from how his friends reacted and his wife as well.

[Morgan15]

I am stricken to the core by verse 21 in chapter 36. “For you have chosen this {the vice of complaining against God} rather than {learning from}affliction. Amplified Version.
Yesterday, I had my moment of what my mama would have called a “pity” party. I was overwhelmed with the affliction of my body and the hurts in my heart. These past few months we have had great loss: my uncle passed, and recently we had a close friend pass. This confinement to the house, because I am old, had finally taken its toll. Then I read this verse and God struck my heart. I could hear his words in my heart. “Tracy, you are so blessed. You have family who loves you. You have an amazing husband. Your body is still moving. You have a home to keep you warm. And most importantly, I love you. Why have you chosen complaining instead of trusting me during this time of affliction?”

How do you respond to the Lord? I fell to my knees and prayed. I ask the Lord to forgive my complaining and self-focus. Boy, does satan (I refuse to capitalize his name) love working in the mind to provide you with doubt, fear, and uncertainty. Then, I saw verse 14. “Stand still and consider the wonders of God.” It immediately made me think of Ephesians 6. “Put on the whole armor of God, so you can ‘stand’ firm against the evil one.”

So, this morning, I am standing, wobbly though it may be, and I am doing today’s work out for mind and body. Yes, it will be modified, but one thing Coach has taught me through the years is keep moving. Boy, don’t we have the best Coach!
Praying for each of you and may we all feel the strength in His power “to Stand.” Blessings my friends.

[BrittanyKeymaster]

Love this!!! Yes and Yes! So true, so a great question to ask ourselves: Are we making the best out of where we are right now to help futher the kingdom?

Sometimes that is so much harder than others. Because it is so easy to praise on the mountains, but boy what a testimony when we praise in the valleys. Love you friend!!! Keep praising and praying!! Praying for you!!!

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