Job

[IKTCA]

This week's reading assignment for my home group is Job. I have been reading up the first 20 chapters or so. At the present time, I am not learning much from Job's friends' statements. I am paying much more attention to Job's words.

Life has thrown enough curve balls to me to find comfort in Job's words. But I have never been even near his level of suffering. I have not cursed the day I was born. Nor have I loathed my life. I have not complained to God, "I beg you; just leave me alone."

Job's suffering is for the comfort of those who suffer. From the fact that the Bible has Job and his sufferings recorded, I can surmise these two: 1) there are those who suffer at his level now somewhere on the earth, and 2) there will come a time when many will suffer like Job.

Father,
On the day of calamity, let people hear the words of Job and find comfort from his sufferings. Amen.

 

[goldenviolet]

i studying job! he is one of my favorite biblical examples.
he taught me to release all of my circumstances into God's hands. to know that both good and hardships have a purpose; but everything is of God's hands and in God's control. job excepted and tried to be content. and when he wasn't content, he refused to blame God; instead gave God honor. i admire that so much. i know nothing bad can come from God, and i see that my burdens have a purpose, and that my struggles will be joy, shaping me into, and teaching what God desires for me and others around my life.

even when there is pain in the offering; still i will say blessed be the gorious name! blessed be the name of the Lord.. blessed be the name.

 

[Blessed2003]

This week's reading assignment for my home group is Job. I have been reading up the first 20 chapters or so. At the present time, I am not learning much from Job's friends' statements. I am paying much more attention to Job's words.

Life has thrown enough curve balls to me to find comfort in Job's words. But I have never been even near his level of suffering. I have not cursed the day I was born. Nor have I loathed my life. I have not complained to God, "I beg you; just leave me alone."

Job's suffering is for the comfort of those who suffer. From the fact that the Bible has Job and his sufferings recorded, I can surmise these two: 1) there are those who suffer at his level now somewhere on the earth, and 2) there will come a time when many will suffer like Job.

Father,
On the day of calamity, let people hear the words of Job and find comfort from his sufferings. Amen.

I have been through suffering comparable, at least in my own opinion. I consider it to be 'hell on earth' what i have gone through. Thanks be to God, NOW I am coming on to the other side, and life, even in it's worst is beautiful and a gift. I appreciate now the good gifts of God, and the life I live, and most important, to the Glory of God, I have learned to be content in what ever circumstance I'm in. Thanks for your prayers!

Blessings,
B

 

[kuntrygurl_26]

Job is my favorite character in the bible (besides Jesus of course) becuase I can relate to him. I too have had most of my family taken away and most of my friends also. What I admire most about him is that he went through all of those hard times and in the end he could still stand here and say " the lord giveth and the lord taketh away." When we go through our hard times it is important that instead of blaming God that we actually pray for strenght and grow closer to him because the bible says the Lord is our strenght and or help and through him we are blessed. Many people would blame God for bad things that happen to them but when it all comes down to it the truth of the matter is that God lets things happen but yet he also gives us free will and many times we bring things on ourselves. Sometimes we cry and urn for what we want and let what we need pass us by and that is very sad! God I pray you give me wisdom to always look over what I want and to always obtain what you think I need!

 

[IKTCA]

Thank you, friends:

I am ashamed by you who suffered much but persisted in praising the Lord. I will try to keep your testimonies in my heart for I will come to the same place where you were once, and your testimonies will be my comfort.

Rupert

 

[IKTCA]

I am reading for the first time Job's friends' remarks. I mean I am reading their words only. I find nothing wrong with them.

Can mortals be righteous before God?
Can human beings be pure before their Maker? (4:17)

What about these?

The heavens will reveal their (evil doers) iniquity,
and the earth will rise up against them. (20:27)

If you are pure and upright,
surely then he will rouse himself for you
and restore to you your rightful place. (8:6)

But in the end, God said they were wrong.

My wrath is kindled against you (Eliphaz) and your two friends;
for you have not spoken of me what is right
as my servant Job has. (42:7)

What was wrong with their words?

 

[IKTCA]

If you direct your heart rightly,
you will stretch out your hands toward him.

If iniquity is in your hand,
put it far away,
and do not let wickedness reside in your tents.

Surely then you will lift up your face without blemish;
you will be secure, and will not fear. (11:13-15, Zophar's)

And I continue to read the rest of Chapter 11. If these words had come out God, they would teach me. The only blemish of these godly words is that they came out of Zophar's heart that condemned Job as unrighteous.

I learn something new here. There are many godly words. But what matters is in what manner the words are spoken, compassionately or condemningly.

Many will say to Me in that day,
"Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name,
and done many wonders in Your name?'

And then I will declare to them,
"I never knew you;
depart from Me,
you who practice lawlessness!' (Matt 7:22-23)

Woe to me when I speak out with evil intentions!

Conclusion: I learned from studying the friends's words: I can read the words as if they were spoken by God. They become my teaching. Or, I can replace "you" with "I." Then it's like reading Psalms; they become my prayers.

For a long time, I wondered why God had Job's friends' words recorded in the Bible. I thought it was a waste of Bible space. Now I know. They are not a waste of space to the hearts that are submitted to the Lord.

Bless them, Lord. Amen.

Rupert

 

[Blessed-one]

1) there are those who suffer at his level now somewhere on the earth, and 2) there will come a time when many will suffer like Job.

that's chilling, iktca.

 

[IKTCA]

BlessedOne:
I haven't talked to you (I mean, exchanged posts here) for a very long while. I hope you have been well in the Lord. Or I may have mistaken you for someone with a similar CF name.
Rupert

 

[IKTCA]

He breaks me down on every side,
and I am gone;
My hope He has uprooted like a tree.

He has also kindled His wrath against me,
and He counts me as one of His enemies.

His troops come together
and build up their road against me;
they encamp all around my tent. (19:10-12)

When a servant is downcast into a hopeless despair, does he feel as if God Himself was surrounding him and choking him? I have never been in such a situation, where one feels utterly hopeless and feels God is out to get him. But I will remember this passage. It may console me when I fall in such a situation.

Rupert

 

[JPPT1974]

Thank you, friends:

I am ashamed by you who suffered much but persisted in praising the Lord. I will try to keep your testimonies in my heart for I will come to the same place where you were once, and your testimonies will be my comfort.

Rupert

We are not to be ashamed though if we suffer in the Lord and glorifying Him.