28 Days of Hope – Day 10
Job loses his possessions, his health, and his children. It’s absolutely devastating. The scales cannot measure his anguish. His wife tells him to curse God, but he continues to bless the Lord. His faith is steadfast, and his grief is immense. His so-called friends arrive to console and process with him. They have noble intentions and horrible statements. Instead of just listening well and understanding, they give lengthy speeches. They came to him and mourned with him. That was a good start. Then they tried to explain why people suffer, with inaccurate assumptions and conclusions, and essentially told Job it’s all his fault because he did something wrong. Job told them they were miserable counselors. God condemned their advice. Job then pivoted, exaggerating his own righteousness, and confronted God. Have you ever done that?
Job’s losses were a test of his character and faith. He was not the cause of the trials and at the same time he had an inflated self-righteousness. Pride can subtly creep in when we have knowledge, make good choices, have been in church for decades, receive blessings, or even go through immense trauma. Pride kills hope. Pride is the elevation of self above others and ultimately above God. Pride can include boasting, and pride can also be a stubborn despair and refusal to receive God’s hope. Those are two sides of the same coin. Religion is all about doing enough, checking the right boxes, and self-exaltation. A relationship with God is all about walking humbly with God in love and truth. Jesus called out the religious leaders because they had become self-righteous hypocrites, straining out a gnat while swallowing a camel. Jesus said they were like whitewashed tombs, looking good on the outside but full of dead bones. The swelling of pride will cause a stern rebuke. Wounds from a friend can be trusted. The right rebuke causes us to say, “Ouch, that helps!”
God’s question for Job (“Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?“) is designed to help him return to his right place and perspective, not too big and not too small. Still loved and yet not self-consumed or deceived. Compared to our Creator, who are we? How can we try to take over the throne of our lives when we put our resume next to God’s abilities and accomplishments? Worship God with reverence and awe. To fear the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. It’s good for our souls to be reminded of who is truly righteous. Hope increases when we get on our knees or fall on our faces before a holy God. Pain can taint our view of God. God grieves with Job and guides Job out of the ditch. We all need God’s perspective and peace in our anguish. Our hearts go out to Job as we read his story. God loves Job deeply. Job comes to his senses. The Bible says God then blesses Job with twice as much as he lost. Let’s take God’s question to heart. Shift from arrogance to humility.
Hope Point: We have access to the infinite and eternal wisdom of God.
Hope Story: Job in Job 42:1-17
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- What is true about God that creates awe and leads you to worship Him?
- Do you believe that the Bible provides absolute truth in every situation and for every topic?
- When you need deep and profound answers to life’s challenges, where do you go first for answers?
- Do you have godly mentors in your life who help guide you with wisdom? What are their names?
PRAYER
Holy God, You are worthy of my trust and devotion. Who compares to You? Your power and wisdom humble me. Your greatness leaves me in awe. I bow down and lay down my life in worship. You are the potter, and I am the clay. I pray all of this in Your name Lord, amen.
28 Days of Hope is a journey together, as we rediscover and recommit to God’s indestructible hope in transformative ways. As you begin this journey, you’ll experience a sense of excitement about what God is going to do. If you have a desire to grow in your faith, strengthen your relationships, gain wisdom, cultivate new habits, experience more peace, and live daily with purpose and passion, then you are in the right place. Just Choose Hope
Brought to you by Walton Beverage.
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