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“May you and I know when to speak and when to listen.” <>< Dona (07/06/20)

Please read Job 6 through 7. If you don’t have a Bible handy just click here -> Biblegateway.com. The Biblegateway website should open for you to use. Type in the chapters you want to read and select the translation you want to read them from. Click search and the chapters should appear. Once you read the suggested chapters close the screen and you should return here.

In Job 6:6-7 Job responded to Eliphaz’s advice. He compared Eliphaz’s advice to eating tasteless egg white.

Response

Oh! Wow! Lord, Eliphaz’s timing was off. 

Something to think about

There is a time for advice.  But when someone is going through severe trials, expressing compassion might be more acceptable.

Something to experience

Perhaps we need to be slow to give advice to those who are hurting. Compassion might be needed more than advice. And if we’re the ones hurting, realize though our suffering may not be caused by sin, we need to be careful not to sin because of our suffering.

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In Job 6:8-9 Job was so distraught he wanted to give up and be freed from his pain.

Response

Oh! Wow! Lord, Job wanted to die.

Something to think about

God didn’t grant Job’s request.  God had a better plan.

Something to experience

Our tendency, like Job’s, may be to give up when things get tough.  It’s easy to trust God when everything is going well, but trusting in bad times is an exercise in faith.  Believe God is in control.  Trust God  to take care of you.

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In Job 6:28-30 Job spoke of his own integrity.  He wasn’t sinless but he believed he had a right relationship with God. 

Response

Oh! Wow! Lord, Job wasn’t guilty of the sins of which he was accused.

Something to think about

Being righteous is not the same as being sinless (see Romans 3:23).  No one but Christ Jesus has ever been sinless – free from all wrong thoughts and actions.  But Job was a righteous man (see 1:8). Job carefully obeyed God to the best of his ability in all aspects of his life.

Something to experience

Could God say the same about us as he did Job in Job 1:8?  

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In Job 7:11 Job felt deep anguish and bitterness.  He spoke honestly to God about how he felt. 

Response

Oh! Wow! Lord, Job was not afraid to express his frustrations to You.

Something to think about

By Job speaking honestly he was able to open communication with God.

Something to experience

When we express our feelings to God we too not only open communication with God but we may slow down negative responses to those around us. Opening up communication with God can help us perhaps gain an eternal perspective on our situation so we can deal with what is going on in a constructive way.

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In Job 7:20 Job referred to God as a watcher of men. 

Response

Oh! Wow! Lord, Job was not recognizing Your involvement with us.

Something to think about

Job was voicing his opinion about God not the truth.

Something to experience

Though God does watch over us, He’s not a bystander.  He is involved in our life.  His eyes are eyes of love. From weaving us in our mother’s womb to leading us home at the end of our life on this earth.

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Prayer

Lord, I pray we will be slow to give advice to those who are hurting (James 1:19 NIV).  Lord, I pray we will not let any unwholesome talk come out of our mouths, but only what is helpful to the building up of those who are suffering (Ephesians 4:29 NIV). Lord, I pray we will be kind and compassionate to those with whom we speak (Ephesians 4:32 NIV). Lord, I pray we will benefit from all the suffering we go through (Romans 5:3 NIV). Lord, I pray we will be steadfast under every trial we experience.  I pray we will persevere when we are tempted, for when we pass the test and been approved, Your Word says we will receive the crown of life which You have promised those of us who love You (James 1:12 AMP).  Lord, You are good. I pray You will be our strength and stronghold in all our troubles. I pray You will know, recognize, care for and understand fully those of us who take refuge in and trust in You (Nahum 1:7 AMP).  Lord, I pray we will live blameless and upright lives.  I pray we will fear You and shun evil just as Job did (Job 1:8 NIV).  Lord I pray we will have an eternal perspective and not let any temporary situations distract us from keeping our eyes on You. Lord, I pray we will press on toward the goal to win the heavenly prize of Your upward call (Philippians 3:14 AMP).  Lord, I ask You to watch over us and protect us (I Thessalonians 5:24 AMP). Thank You Lord for forming us and placing us in our mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13 AMP).  Thank You for leading us on the narrow path to heaven (Matthew 7:14 AMP). In Christ Jesus’ name I pray.  AMEN.

“May you and I seek to follow God’s path.” <>< Dona