KJB Daily Devotion – Following Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date: Thursday, January 05, 2016
Chapters: Job 5-8
Message: Getting Around The Stumblingblock
Hello My Friend,
I started this job a little over a month ago and it seems I am constantly being reprimanded, whether it was for something that I had nothing to do with or just simply doing what I was told. Being the newbie often comes with so many challenges because people that have been there longer, who may not have even been following the proper procedures themselves, are constantly telling you how you should being doing things. Let me tell you, we deal with the same challenges as Christians, someone older in Christ comes along, reprimands us, and tells us the way we are to be walking, making us feel like we do not belong. That type of criticism can really put a stop to our walk with Christ if we keep listening to that nonsense. Okay, so we all grow in our Christianity, some a little faster than others, and we do need Godly guides to help us along in our walk with Christ, but we are to never be the cause of hindering someone from growing in their faith. “Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.” – Romans 14:13.
Stumblingblock; To obstruct in progress; to cause one to trip or stop. As Christians, our growth should never stop, as much as we learn there is still much more to learn, so never think that you can read the Bible one time and know everything about God. We all have those friends (or so they say they are), the ones who never have anything nice to say, and if you are going through difficulties they are the first to criticize you, and this is what Job was dealing with. Eliphaz continues speaking to Job, he did make some good points in regards to God’s mercy, but there was one problem with his speech, he was under the assumption that his suffering was a result of some hidden sin, his advice, seek God.
“I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause: Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty: For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole. He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee. In famine he shall redeem thee from death: and in war from the power of the sword. Thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue: neither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it cometh. Lo this, we have searched it, so it is; hear it, and know thou it for thy good.” – Job 5:8,17-21,27.
“and know thou it for thy good.” It is for your own good, how many times have we heard that line? It is as if a good punishment will make things better. Let me tell you, while we do get chastened by God, and it is often meant to get us to see the error of our ways and to change, harsh punishments do not do anything for us. As much as God is for discipline, He knows that people can go overboard. Why do you think He sent Jesus? He does not want us to suffer the worst punishment ever, hell. God is merciful, therefore, we are to be merciful, and by the way, not jump to conclusions when we see someone suffering, not all suffering is a result of sin. “Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.” – Romans 14:1-3.
I have to admit that while I am pretty optimistic, I get bothered by pressures of being told something other than what I know to be true, especially if it is constant. I know what I was taught, and what I ought to be doing, who are they to tell me otherwise. Job responds to Eliphaz, the only hope he sees right now is death, and as his friend tells him to come clean with his hidden sin, he contemplates his actions to begin with.
“What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is mine end, that I should prolong my life? Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brass? Is not my help in me? and is wisdom driven quite from me? To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty. Do ye imagine to reprove words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, which are as wind? Yea, ye overwhelm the fatherless, and ye dig a pit for your friend. Now therefore be content, look upon me; for it is evident unto you if I lie.” – Job 6:11-14,26-28.
“for it is evident unto you if I lie.” Our actions often prove who we really are. Now, there are some really good actors out there that appear to be Christians, but subtle hints will prove otherwise. We know who we are, God knows who we are, we have no one to answer to, but God, if we lie to others about the way we live, if we are living in sin, out actions will draw that out, or God will. Many times we are the object of criticism because others get jealous and envious over the blessings we receive from God. Of course, they are just looking for something to try and catch us doing wrong so they can judge us, if we are facing any kind of affliction we must be hiding something. Job continues his response.
“When I say, My bed shall comfort me, my couch shall ease my complaint; Then thou scarest me with dreams, and terrifiest me through visions: So that my soul chooseth strangling, and death rather than my life. I loathe it; I would not live alway: let me alone; for my days are vanity. What is man, that thou shouldest magnify him? and that thou shouldest set thine heart upon him? And that thou shouldest visit him every morning, and try him every moment? How long wilt thou not depart from me, nor let me alone till I swallow down my spittle? I have sinned; what shall I do unto thee, O thou preserver of men? why hast thou set me as a mark against thee, so that I am a burden to myself? And why dost thou not pardon my transgression, and take away mine iniquity? for now shall I sleep in the dust; and thou shalt seek me in the morning, but I shall not be.” – Job 7:13-21.
“so that I am a burden to myself?” Job could not understand why he was going through so much, he knows he is a sinner, but also maintains that he is not a hypocrite, but seriously inquires how he might be at peace with God, and earnestly begs forgiveness of any sins he might have committed. Now, Bildad responds to Job’s response to Eliphaz.
“How long wilt thou speak these things? and how long shall the words of thy mouth be like a strong wind? Doth God pervert judgment? or doth the Almighty pervert justice? If thy children have sinned against him, and he have cast them away for their transgression; If thou wouldest seek unto God betimes, and make thy supplication to the Almighty; If thou wert pure and upright; surely now he would awake for thee, and make the habitation of thy righteousness prosperous.” – Job 8:2-6.
“If thou wert pure and upright;” When we seem to be suffering with one thing after another it can really put a damper on our spirit, top that with people who are less than supportive, and you end up doubting yourself. I spent almost two years in a depression, wondering why I was even here, and what I could have possibly done so wrong to be so afflicted for so long. The truth is, God needed me to see what He did in my life since the day I chose to make Him a part of my life. Sure I am no where near perfect, I mess up every day, but that is why I have His Son in me, more important than being perfect is having that relationship with Him. We are going to go through some things that we do not understand, but if we trust God, stop listening to all the nonsense people tell us, and be patient we will see something great come out of our suffering. “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” – I Peter 5:10.
Jesus Christ Magnified: “Even that it would please God to destroy me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off! Then should I yet have comfort; yea, I would harden myself in sorrow: let him not spare; for I have not concealed the words of the Holy One.” – Job 6:9-10. Job, reveals that he would find comfort in God through his death. Jesus never feared giving His life for man because He had comfort knowing that His Father would take care of Him.
Today’s Prayer: God, When I am being afflicted, give me the strength to endure it, trusting in Your promises. When I see others afflicted, let me not falsely accuse or judge them, but be a comfort to them through their distress. Lord, lead me and guide me, give me Your power to be the light that so many need when they are being afflicted and do not know what is going on, let me be a guide and comfort to them, and let Your Son shine through me as I grow closer to Him. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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