January 6, 2017 – Job 10-13 – In the Beginning

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Job 10-13. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read His Word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

What Does This Passage Say?

• We return to Job’s own words. Here is crying out to God. He is asking God why. And he is struggling with his own feelings about his life and himself. But He is struggling with why God would allow so much to happen to him and effect his life.
• Now his third friend, Zophar speaks. Zophar is taken aback at the words that Job is speaking. He cannot believe that Job is blaming God … at least that is what he is hearing. Instead of comforting Job he accuses Job and calls him to task for speaking this way to and about God.
• Job then replies and Job can hold his ground. His three friends are not good at comforting nor are they good at compassion. That is really what Job needs. So he reminds them of this truth and need. Job holds his ground.

What is This Passage Teaching?

• There is a balance we must strike when we are asking God why. There is nothing wrong with asking God why things are happening, why He would allow it, or why you have to endure it, but the tone in which we ask is massively important. Job asks God why. His words are direct … because his hurt is real. Pain causes us to loose our soft touch. That’s ok. What we must make sure not to do is sin against God when asking why.

How Can I Apply this Passage to my Life?

• Job is met with three friends and these three are there to offer comfort and support. But when they speak they do not do so. When you have a friend who is hurting, how do you respond to them. Do you do so with love and grace, or do you do so like Job’s three friends? Watch in your response how you respond and see where you can improve your help.