Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for August 22

“To him who is afflicted, kindness should be shown by his friend, even though he forsakes the fear of the Almighty” (Job 6:14 NKJV).

From: August 22, 2020

WE OWE THE AFFLICTED KINDNESS NOT JUDGMENT

Job’s friends came to share his grief, but ended up adding to his affliction. They came to sit with Job after a series of terrible events had occurred. A hurricane had collapsed his oldest son’s house, killing all of Job’s children. Raiding parties had attacked his property and stolen his flocks and cattle, killing his servants. Job’s body was covered with painful boils and his wife was so overcome with grief, that she told him to curse God and die.

Job’s friends sat silently with him for a time, but when Job began to ask questions of God, they began to argue with him. Perhaps they thought God needed their defense, so they attempted to correct Job’s theology. Perhaps they were surprised that Job wasn’t repentant, because surely he must’ve sinned greatly to deserve such suffering, so they accused him of transgression. Whatever their motivation, Job’s “friends” were no longer acting his comforters, but as his critics.

Do you know of someone who is afflicted by grief or sickness? Would you be a friend to them? If so, be kind, not judgmental. Listen to them without correction. Let them air out their grievances without interruption. Pray for them and offer them support. Now is not the time to correct their theology. Better to admit that you don’t know what they’re going through, nor do you know what God is doing. Be humble and kind to the afflicted. Let the Spirit do His work. Ask the Lord when you should speak and what you should say. And please, no clichés. They don’t help.

PRAYER: Dear Father, teach us to be kind to the afflicted. Help us to comfort them with the comfort You have given us in our affliction. Help us to be quick to listen and slow to speak. And when we do speak, give us Your words to say. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“What are people, that you should make so much of us, that you should think of us so often?” (Job 7:17 NLT).

From: August 22, 2019

WHO ARE WE THAT GOD THINKS OF US?

Job doesn’t accuse God of being absent, but of being too present. He doesn’t blame his suffering on being forsaken by the Lord as most would do. No. He questions why God would be so interested in such weak, temporal things as man. Out of all of creation, why would God care so much for us? Job had lost nearly everything that he loved, yet he did not lose his faith in God. Like Jacob, he wrestled with God for answers, but did not doubt the One who caused him to walk with a limp.

PRAYER: Father, we are amazed at the thoughts You have of us. That You even consider us is wonderful, but that you think of us always, is beyond understanding. Not only do You constantly think of us, but You have given us Your Son that we might be Your children. What an awesome God You are! We worship You and surrender our lives to You afresh this day. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“The godly offer good counsel; they teach right from wrong. (Psalm 37:30 NLT).

From: August 22, 2018

WHERE DO YOU GET ADVICE?

Most people ask advice of those who will tell them what they want to hear. Rarely does one ask the godly. For the godly counselor will tell them to do what is right. And people rarely want to do what is right. They want to do what they want. This is why the wrong way is broad and well traveled. And why the right way is narrow and few choose to travel it.

“To him who is afflicted, kindness should be shown by his friend, even though he forsakes the fear of the Almighty” (Job 6:14 NKJV).

From: August 22, 2017

Job charged his friend, Eliphaz, with a lack of sympathy and kindness for him in his severe affliction. Instead of attempting to correct Job’s theology and fear of God, he should have been full of pity and solace towards him. Eliphaz, who had come as one of Job’s comforters, had joined his chorus of critics. So, on top of Job’s afflictions, he now had to endure the religious barbs of his friends. There is a time to correct and a time to comfort. A true friend, whose heart is motivated by love, will know when the time is right for each.

“The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; he is their stronghold in the time of trouble.” (Psalm 37:39 ESV)

From: August 22, 2016

The Lord is our salvation. Those who have believed and received Christ as Lord and Savior have been saved from sin’s penalty, are being saved from sin’s power and will ultimately be saved from sin’s presence. However, this salvation does not mean that his followers will not experience trouble. In fact, Jesus warned his disciples that “in this world there will be trouble” (John 16:33). Yet, He is not only our salvation, but our “stronghold,” our fortress of protection and defense. When storms of tribulation come, run to Him, for He has overcome the world.

“For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints” (1 Corinthians 14:33 NKJV)

From: August 22, 2015

Apparently, the worship services in Corinth had become quite chaotic and confusing. This was not the pattern that Paul had given them when he planted the church. So, his letters to them are prescriptive in nature. He wanted them to understand that when God is present in worship there is order and peace, not chaos and confusion. Perhaps the ecstatic pagan practices of the Corinthian idolaters had infected the church. Or perhaps the disunity he described earlier concerning factions in the church had led to these tumultuous services. Whatever the cause, the church of Corinth, in a city of 800,000 population, was in danger of losing God’s presence in their worship. For wherever the Spirit of God is, there is peace.

“What are people, that you should make so much of us, that you should think of us so often?” (Job 7:17 NLT)

From: August 22, 2014

Job doesn’t accuse God of being absent, but of being too present. He doesn’t blame his suffering on being forsaken by the Lord as most would do. No. He questions why God would be so interested in such weak, temporal things as man. Out of all of creation, why would God care so much for us? Job had lost nearly everything that he loved, yet he did not lose his faith in God. Like Jacob, he wrestled with God for answers, but did not doubt the One who made him walk with a limp.

“Then Job spoke again: ‘If my misery could be weighed and my troubles be put on the scales, they would outweigh all the sands of the sea” (Job 6:1-3)

From: August 22, 2012

Have you ever felt like Job? At times like this even well-meaning friends can be a burden. Only God can get us through such seasons. God isn’t afraid of our questions and concerns. Bring them to Him. Don’t stuff or medicate. Pour out your trouble before God. Come to Him as you are and leave changed. He can turn your misery into joy.

“So he will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, ‘God is really among you!'” (1 Corinthians 14:25)

From: August 22, 2011

The kind of church where the Word of God is preached (prophesied) and sinners have their hearts laid bare. This is the kind of church of which I want to be a part. Be present in our church, Lord. Nothing happens unless You show up!