Devotionals for November 16, 2022
Join us for Theology Thursdays at 12:00pm! Bring your lunch. Bring your questions!
READ
JOB 1:18-22
While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, “Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”
At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said:
“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
and naked I will depart.
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;
may the name of the LORD be praised.”
In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.
While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, “Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”
At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said:
“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
and naked I will depart.
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;
may the name of the LORD be praised.”
In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.
REFLECT
Job’s story tackles the ageless question, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” The story opens with praise for Job’s uprightness, and we learn that Satan brings harm upon Job to test his faith. But Job is not privy to all of what’s happening in the background. All he can see and feel is loss and pain. Yet, in his darkest moment, he turns to trust and praise God. Though Job’s faith waivers throughout the book, in the end, his trust remains in God as He restores Job two-fold.
APPLY
Q: How does Job respond specifically to losing everything?
Q: When you face loss and pain, what is your immediate reaction? How can you lean towards Job’s level of trust more?
Q: Who can you surround yourself with that will support you and encourage you to remain faithful to God even things are hard?
Q: When you face loss and pain, what is your immediate reaction? How can you lean towards Job’s level of trust more?
Q: Who can you surround yourself with that will support you and encourage you to remain faithful to God even things are hard?
SING
PRAY
"Give us today our daily bread."
Lord, you are my all and all. You give me all that I need to live and to honor you. Your Son has accomplished all of the hard work, and now I get to live out the blessing of new life in You. I praise your good name! Amen.
Lord, you are my all and all. You give me all that I need to live and to honor you. Your Son has accomplished all of the hard work, and now I get to live out the blessing of new life in You. I praise your good name! Amen.