Thursday, February 2, 2017
Daily reading assignment: Job 9-10
We find in today’s reading a desperate man attempting to make sense out of all he has suffered, but also declaring the justice of God. Job 9-10 consists of a series of questions and Job’s thoughts as he ponders the manner of man he is in the sight of an Omniscient, Omnipresent God.
Job asks, “how should man be just with God?” (9:2) He contemplates that God is wise, mighty, able to remove mountains and cause the earth to tremble (9:4-6). God is the Sustainer of His creation and causes the sun to rise and the stars to stay in their place in the heavens (9:7-8). What is man that he should think he is capable of reasoning with God (9:14-35) or declaring his innocence (9:20-24)?
In light of all he has suffered and the despondency that has gripped his soul, Job asks, “Wherefore then hast thou brought me forth out of the womb?” (10:18) In essence, “Why was I born?”
Maybe someone reading today’s devotional finds themselves in much the same place as Job, wrestling with depression and wondering is there anything good that will come of your sorrows and pain.
Dear friend, God makes no mistakes! Had Job known all he was suffering was in answer to Satan assailing God and Job’s character, he would not have agonized so; however, that was not for Job to know.
God had purposed for Job to pass through fiery trials and to that end he would one day say, “But He [God] knoweth the way that I take: when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold” (Job 23:10).
Copyright 2017 – Travis D. Smith