Scripture:
Job 6:10-14 ESV
[10] This would be my comfort; I would even exult in pain unsparing, for I have not denied the words of the Holy One. [11] What is my strength, that I should wait? And what is my end, that I should be patient? [12] Is my strength the strength of stones, or is my flesh bronze? [13] Have I any help in me when resource is driven from me? [14] “He who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
Observation:
Yesterday, we saw how Job worshiped GOD, even when it hurt. Today is kind of a continuation of that. In vr:10, he states that even in pain, his comfort is to exult the Almighty and not deny what his word says. In verse 11, he acknowledges where his strength to wait on GOD is coming from (not him). GOD is his strength. If we read Job just to make a checkmark on a list of Christian things to do. We will miss a lot of very important doctrinal truths. verses12-13, show us that the strength that Job is operating in is not his own, and then there is the point of these verses together, verse 14, GOD is good, and Job knows it. He will be vindicated, and the truth will be seen.
Application:
Romans 12:12 rejoice in hope be patient in tribulation be constant in prayer. I know for myself that it’s hard to hold on to something GOD clearly stated. When all my friends and even my wife are telling me to go another way. We look at things through the eyes of flesh, and honestly, it’s hard not to. Sometimes, what we are going through is just not fun and may even be very painful. By this time in Job’s story, his wife has told him to curse GOD, and all his friends are telling him it’s all his fault, trying to get him to confess to something he knows he did not do. The thing is what the friends are saying sounds right. They are using some of the truth. Not knowing the whole picture. My question is this: What are we going to do when calamity comes? Are we going to look to GOD for strength? Or are we going to take the advice of the world? You see, GOD knows our heart, and HIS word is truth no matter how our heart feels about it. We need to worship HIM at all times, not just when life is good or just when life is bad. Letting HIS word make our decisions for us and not the world holding fast to what it says to our hearts. If we do that, we will be looking back on an absolute miracle, knowing that when GOD speaks, HE means what HE says. I’m still waiting on mine. But even when it hurts…….and I don’t think I can wait any longer….. and I want to give up ………and listen to my friends whom I know mean well…… I know it’s coming. Because GOD will not withhold HIS kindness from me. I am not only his son, but I am HIS friend. That being said, if you are holding out, waiting on GOD, and everyone around you is saying “Oh that will never happen,” or “GOD doesn’t work that way.” Let’s flash forward to the end of Job’s story…..GOD restored him better than he had ever thought…….a breakthrough is coming
Prayer:
Father, I know that there are hearts out there that are hurting. Hearts much like mine. People who are holding on to you and your word for dear life. Knowing that once you start a work in them, you will finish it. You are the GOD of the brake through when I’m breaking down. Father, send brakethrough. We want to see you move. We want to know that even when we can’t see it, you are moving on our behalf. We cling to you even when it hurts. Let us see the hope that you have set in our hearts…… and while we wait, we will worship, knowing that in the end, your face is way better than your hand. We can seek the blessing if we want, but how much better would it be if we seek the face of the one who does not withhold kindness from a friend? Let us not seek you for what you can do, but for who you are…….in Jesus’ name, I pray amen.