KJB Daily Devotion – Following Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date: Friday, January 06, 2017
Chapters: Job 9-12
Message: The Prayer Of Faith
Hello My Friend,
The last couple of months of 2016 God really blessed me, He blessed me so much that I began wondering when the devil would show up and try to ruin everything. Well, he did not show up then, but he is showing up now, I have these muscle spasms in my back, and only worked one day since Christmas Eve. I keep contemplating my actions and all I can think of is that God knows I need some rest because I am going to be very busy very soon. You know, we have a choice when we are being afflicted, we can wallow and complain about everything, which does nothing for us anyway, or we can lift ourselves up, and have faith that it will come to pass. “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” – I Peter 4:12-13.
The glory of God, that is what all affliction is all about, that we might seek God for help and comfort, and that He alone is the one to help us through it. In order to understand Job and how his friends responded to him we have to see the picture. These were men who did not have Scripture as we do, they knew about God from what they were taught by other godly men and women. As far as they knew God was like a king sitting on his throne, looking down on mankind, chastening or blessing them for the things they were doing. If they were good they were blessed, if they were bad, they were punished until they confessed their sins to God. So, here is Job, having lost everything he possessed, even his children, sitting there covered in boils, wrapped in cloth being falsely condemned by his friends. Job had no idea why he was being afflicted, but knew he was innocent.
“I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God? If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand. He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered? Lo, he goeth by me, and I see him not: he passeth on also, but I perceive him not. Behold, he taketh away, who can hinder him? who will say unto him, What doest thou? If God will not withdraw his anger, the proud helpers do stoop under him. How much less shall I answer him, and choose out my words to reason with him? If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse. Though I were perfect, yet would I not know my soul: I would despise my life. This is one thing, therefore I said it, He destroyeth the perfect and the wicked.” – Job 9:2-4,11-14,20-22.
“Though I were perfect,” Perfect; Complete in moral excellencies. Job was not being conceded here as though he never sinned, even God said he was perfect and upright, and He knew that he sinned as well, but he was perfect in how he lived a moral life. Perfect also means to be fully formed, complete. Before we are saved we are imperfect and incomplete because we do not have the Spirit of God in us, but Jesus who is perfect became the perfect sacrifice for man that would not only complete us, but save us from being destroyed. We cannot escape the first death, unless Jesus returns anytime soon, but we can escape the second death, which will destroy our soul, by receiving Christ as our Saviour. “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” – Hebrews 9:27-28.
Again, when we are being constantly afflicted we start to question that maybe we are doing something wrong, that God is judging us for something or maybe we forgot to confess something. I do not know how many times I think about my past and wonder did I confess that or start throwing things out, silly things like I did not thank Him enough for His blessings. Job continues speaking, but this time he is speaking directly to God.
“My soul is weary of my life; I will leave my complaint upon myself; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul. I will say unto God, Do not condemn me; shew me wherefore thou contendest with me. Is it good unto thee that thou shouldest oppress, that thou shouldest despise the work of thine hands, and shine upon the counsel of the wicked? Hast thou eyes of flesh? or seest thou as man seeth? Are thy days as the days of man? are thy years as man’s days, That thou enquirest after mine iniquity, and searchest after my sin? Thou knowest that I am not wicked; and there is none that can deliver out of thine hand. Thine hands have made me and fashioned me together round about; yet thou dost destroy me. Remember, I beseech thee, that thou hast made me as the clay; and wilt thou bring me into dust again?” – Job 10:1-9.
“that thou hast made me as the clay;” I do this quite often, remind God that He made me the way that I am, and that everything I am is all because of Him. I have even said to Him, thy will be done, but the longer my affliction the more I would begin to question my life, wondering if I was in His will, why I was here, where God is, and why I could not see an end to the suffering. When we feel this way, that is when we really need to come to Christ and get active in the church, serving God will change our perspective. Never let the devil put it in your head that ending your life is the only option, we can get through the most trying times, but we need God.
“Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.” – II Corinthians 1:3-6.
Now, here comes Zophar responding to Job, he is down right appalled at what Job was saying. “For thou hast said, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in thine eyes. But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against thee; And that he would shew thee the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is! Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth. Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know? If thou prepare thine heart, and stretch out thine hands toward him; If iniquity be in thine hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles.” – Job 11:4-8,13.
“God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth.” Zophar accused Job of saying that he saw himself as perfect, without any sin, and to him this was more sinful than whatever sin he was hiding, he actually said that Job is getting far less than what he deserves. Let me tell you, we all receive less of a punishment than what we deserve, no one is perfect and we all sin and come short, but God is merciful, and always has been. Those who cannot admit they have sinned will never be saved because we all must realize that our own righteousness can never save us. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;” – Romans 3:23-25.
At this point Job was beside himself, these men were not more righteous than him, who were they to question his integrity. “No doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with you. But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you: yea, who knoweth not such things as these? I am as one mocked of his neighbour, who calleth upon God, and he answereth him: the just upright man is laughed to scorn. He that is ready to slip with his feet is as a lamp despised in the thought of him that is at ease. The tabernacles of robbers prosper, and they that provoke God are secure; into whose hand God bringeth abundantly. Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the LORD hath wrought this? In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.” – Job 12:2-6,9-10.
“the hand of the LORD hath wrought this?” Job had so idea what was going on, but he knew God’s hand was in it. Now, the one thing that Job did not realize was that God allowed the affliction to prove him, and I imagine if he simply prayed to God to begin with instead of arguing his case to his friends and God he would have found some comfort. “Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” – James 5:13-16.
Jesus Christ Magnified: “I am as one mocked of his neighbour, who calleth upon God, and he answereth him: the just upright man is laughed to scorn.” – Job 12:4. Jesus, giving all His power to the Father, faced much ridicule for standing by His word.
Today’s Prayer: God, It’s not always easy dealing with the situations that bring us suffering, and critical people do not help either. I thank You for watching over me and protecting me, even when am not in Your will, and I thank You for loving me and not giving up on me. Your hand never lets go of me, You are my only peace and comfort when nothing makes sense. Lord, lead me and guide me, let me live a life that is pleasing to You and be the example so many need to find Your Son. When others criticize and mock me, give me the strength to stand my ground and not be ashamed to profess my Jesus to them. I love You and ask these things in Jesus’ name. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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