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1 There was once a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job. That man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil. 1 One day the heavenly beings came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them to present himself before the Lord. 2 The Lord said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered the Lord, "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it." 3 The Lord said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man who fears God and turns away from evil. He still persists in his integrity, although you incited me against him, to destroy him for no reason." 4 Then Satan answered the Lord, "Skin for skin! All that people have they will give to save their lives. 5 But stretch out your hand now and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse you to your face." 6 The Lord said to Satan, "Very well, he is in your power; only spare his life." 7 So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord, and inflicted loathsome sores on Job from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. 8 Job took a potsherd with which to scrape himself, and sat among the ashes. 9 Then his wife said to him, "Do you still persist in your integrity? Curse God, and die." 10 But he said to her, "You speak as any foolish woman would speak. Shall we receive the good at the hand of God, and not receive the bad?" In all this Job did not sin with his lips. (Job 1:1, 2:1-10 NRSV Bible)
Dear Friend, please receive this devotional as a word of hope. Just today on a nationally famou podcast I heard that there are more deaths this year from despair and suicide than any other things; so if you ever feel helpless or hopeless, please reach out to someone and share that with them. Please feel free to call your pastor or Sunday school teacher or even me. Please share your concerns with the Lord Jesus, Who loves you very much too. May we continue in prayers for Mr. Charlie Pankey who is facing heart surgery; may God bring him healing through it and the strenggth that he needs; prayers for Maydell and her peace while her husband goes through this. May God bless you where you are, and help you to where you need to be.
This passage reminds me of the time my nephew was a little boy. He could read but he was going through a phase where he was frightened about something in his room. He knew I had several Bibles and so he asked me if I could give him five Bibles. "Five? Why five?" I asked. "Because I want to place one in each corner of my room!" I told him I would give him one if he promised to read it. He promised he would. A few weeks later I checked on him and asked how the reading was going. "I read the first books; I had trouble with Numbers because it had more names in it than numbers, and when I got to Job I didn't know if he was looking for a job or if he lost his job, and so that's where I am." My nephew came to one of the most powerful books in the Bible. Many are the people who choose to move on without spending my time on it, and this passage is probably the most read of this book. It will bless us and I pray invite us and/or challenge us to go beyond this passage and into the hope that God offers to each of us.
The story of Job opens with a powerful depiction of a man who is upright, blameless, and deeply devoted to God. Job enjoys a life of prosperity and family happiness, embodying the ideals of faithfulness and integrity. However, everything changes when he faces unimaginable suffering and loss. Despite his devastating circumstances—loss of wealth, health, and loved ones—Job's initial response is one of worship and reverence. Imagine his life; one day he's super blessed and comfortable, and in the unseen realms, Satan comes before God to pick on Job. Many question why this decision was made to allow Job to suffer in the way that he did; but props to Job for he stayed faithful. How would you have reacted in this situation?
When the adversary challenges Job’s faithfulness, claiming it is rooted in his blessings, God allows trials to come upon Job. Even when faced with his wife’s despairing counsel to “curse God and die,” Job remains steadfast, questioning yet faithful. His story invites us to wrestle with the complexity of faith in the midst of suffering while reminding us of the profound hope that underlies it all. Our question is answered in the why as we read that God knew better, as He does all along and in all things. Remember this as you face whatever it is you may be facing.
As you meditate on Job's journey and ours, consider these hopeful themes: Integrity Amid Trials: Job's unwavering faith, even when stripped of all he holds dear, serves as a testament to the strength that comes from a deep relationship with God. In your own life, how can you cultivate a faith that remains steadfast in adversity? Reflect on the sources of strength that God provides during challenging times. The Nature of Suffering: Job's story invites us to confront the reality of suffering. While we may not always understand why trials come our way, we can trust that God is with us in our pain. How can embracing this truth shift your perspective on your struggles? Hope in the Midst of Despair: Despite his anguish, Job continues to seek God. His story assures us that it’s okay to question and express our pain to God. In moments of despair, remember that God is a refuge and a source of hope. How can you lean into this truth when facing your own challenges?
PRAYER: Loving God, thank You for the example of Job, whose faithfulness shines brightly in the darkness of suffering. Help us to hold onto hope when life feels overwhelming. Remind us that You are always with us, even in our trials, and that our questions and struggles do not diminish our faith. Fill our hearts with Your peace and strength as we navigate our own journeys. In Jesus’ strong name, we pray, Amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: This week, take a moment to reach out to someone who may be experiencing their own trials or struggles. Offer a listening ear or words of encouragement, reminding them that they are not alone. Share a message of hope and let them know that God is with them in their pain. Your support could be a powerful reminder of God's love in action.
I love you and I thank God for you!
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
