Precious Words
Opening Prayer
Lord, help me to feed on Your Word today. I want to know You and follow Your ways more and more.
Read JOB 23:1-17
[1] Then Job replied: [2] “Even today my complaint is bitter; his hand is heavy in spite of my groaning. [3] If only I knew where to find him; if only I could go to his dwelling! [4] I would state my case before him and fill my mouth with arguments. [5] I would find out what he would answer me, and consider what he would say to me. [6] Would he vigorously oppose me? No, he would not press charges against me. [7] There the upright can establish their innocence before him, and there I would be delivered forever from my judge. [8] “But if I go to the east, he is not there; if I go to the west, I do not find him. [9] When he is at work in the north, I do not see him; when he turns to the south, I catch no glimpse of him. [10] But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. [11] My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside. [12] I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread. [13] “But he stands alone, and who can oppose him? He does whatever he pleases. [14] He carries out his decree against me, and many such plans he still has in store. [15] That is why I am terrified before him; when I think of all this, I fear him. [16] God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me. [17] Yet I am not silenced by the darkness, by the thick darkness that covers my face. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
What confidence does Job have before God, and why?We all enjoy some food each day. I don’t know if Job had any appetite for food in his state but God gave him an appetite for his Word. Job had no Bible, yet God spoke directly to him.
He was still complaining bitterly because of his terrible state and he was longing for communion with God (1-7). He wanted to find God, go straight to his house (3). He has doubts about how he would be received, but he persists with his quest. He also longs for access to God (8-17). Job was looking for God all over the place but his Word assured him that he would eventually reach his goal (10).
In v. 7, unbeknown to him, Job has another glimpse of Jesus (compare Rom. 8:34). The mention of God’s mouth and lips in v. 12 is interesting. We know from 2 Timothy 3:16 that all Scripture is God-breathed, inspired by him. God spoke his word through ordinary people, like you and me. God still speaks today—even in our difficult times. We need only be alert and listening (1 Sam. 3:9).
Apply
How do you keep alert and listening to God? Praise God for being available to you—wherever you are—right now.
Closing prayer
Lord Jesus, I thank You that because of what You have done, I have constant access to the Father wherever I am.
Click here to sign up to receive the EXTRAs via email each quarter.
© 2024 Scripture Union U.S.A. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited.
Discovery is published in the USA under license from Scripture Union England and Wales, Trinity House, Opal Court, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DF.