Day 145

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Job Answer: "I Long for God"

Scripture

May 24—Job 22-24: Job's Third Answer from Eliphaz

Observation

Round three of the debate between Job and his friends about Job's predicament produces plenty of heat but sheds very little light. Once again Eliphaz leads the assault: "Your sins are endless" (22:5). What began as courteous dialogue now turns into grave accusation. Though there is not a shred of evidence to support Eliphaz's charges, he insists that what he says must be true to explain Job's circumstances. But Job remains firm in his conviction that he is innocent and God is trustworthy.

Application

It's a good thing that iron, coal, and bauxite don't have a vote in the matter. If they did, chances are good there would be no such thing as steel, diamonds, and aluminum! Why? Because heat, pressure, and time are all involved in transforming these "raw materials" into something better, stronger, more useful, more beautiful. Take away the process, and you also lose the product.

In chapter 23 Job acknowledges that God has put his faith in the furnace—not to ruin him but to refine him. Just as gold loses it impurities and contaminants in a temperature of several thousand degrees, so Job declares that "when God has examined me, he will pronounce me completely innocent—as pure as solid gold" (23:10)—tested, purified, proven in character.

Take time today to read 1 Peter 1:1-9 carefully, then carry a piece of aluminum foil in your pocket or purse as a reminder that the heat and pressure you face today are God's way of helping you reflect his glory tomorrow!

Prayer

Dear God, we cast all our anxieties on you today, for you care about the smallest affairs of our life. We don't have to ask, "Where are you, God?" We can't see the invisible You but we do trust in the invisible You and Your visible image, Jesus Christ! We know you are with us. Thank you for loving us and sending us a Savior and Comforter. In Jesus name we pray, amen!

Our Comforter!


© Odessa Mathis about my Father's business! 2020

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