The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People.
Read God’s Word:
Job 6-9
Act 2: God’s Covenant People
Scene 1: The People: God calls a covenant people
Background Information: Job 6-9
The words of Job’s friends are like tasteless food, like the empty promise of water to a thirsty soul. Job finds no life in them. Bildad is simplistic and foolish in his neat and tidy world where everyone gets what they deserve. The bad get bad and the good get good. Even Job’s dead children are not spared from his cruel simplicity; they died because they sinned. Job describes the strangeness of our perception of time when we suffer. The days seem endlessly long, and the years past swiftly by. The Psalmist was filled with wonder that God would pay attention to humans (Psalm 8), but Job wished God would pay him no attention and just leave him alone. He is a man in utter confusion: Job 9:21 describes this confusion well. “Though I am blameless, I no longer care about myself; I renounce my life.” Job knew this suffering was not because of sin, but it has upended his worldview. He cannot drag God from heaven and demand answers, so he simply gives up hope. At this point in the story, you must embrace the hopelessness of Job. This is not fun, but it is necessary to see what God is saying to us in his word. As you read and feel his utter lack of hope, finish your time in God’s word by giving thanks that we have reason to hope no matter what comes our way. “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” (Hebrews 6:19)
Pray:
Praise God for…
Thank God for…
Confess your sins to God
Ask God to reveal the truth of the gospel to the boys and girls living at the Youth Horizons residential homes, so that they might turn to Christ and be saved.
Ask God for… (what else concerns you?)
Reflect:
Write down one passage of scripture that stood out to you today.
Write down why this passage stood out to you.
Engage Community:
Text or call someone now and tell them…
– What you are praying for.
– What stood out from God’s word today.