June 18

Job 13

Highlights In Today's Reading:

Job defends his integrity. The endless days of suffering lead him into a meditation on the brevity of life. Eliphaz continues accusing Job. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could all claim Job's defense (16:19)?

The boldness of Job's faith and faithfulness brought new revelation of his relationship with God. It was the turning point in the conflict between God and Satan when Job said: Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him. . . . I know that I shall be justified (13:15,18). In order to prove that God did not have one sincere servant in the world, Satan's accusation against Job was that he would give up everything, even his faith in God, to save his earthly life. Job's faith in God was like that of Esther's when she went before the king: So will I go . . . and if I perish, I perish (Esther 4:16).

God has a wise and precious purpose in all our suffering without exception even in death. What a marvelous revelation of this when Job said: If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come (14:14). Job had an unshakable assurance (faith) that God would speak for him when there was no one else to do so. He pleaded for a Divine Helper when he said, O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbor! (16:21). Job knew there would be a Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus (I Timothy 2:5).

Zophar's conclusions led him to say: Should thy lies make men hold their peace? . . . Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth (Job 11:3,6).

Satan instigated the criticisms by Job's "devoted" friends in an effort to substantiate his assumption that Job would curse God if he were put to the test of death — that he would give up his faith in God, in order to save his own life.

When we realize that our lives are in His control, we will trust ourselves unreservedly into His hands that He might fully accomplish His purpose in us. Amazing as it may seem to Eliphaz, Job's friends, and Satan, Job had the utmost confidence that when he died, he would live again and be changed.

Like Job, every child of God will face trials and suffering. In fact, we are promised: If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him: if we deny Him, He also will deny us (II Timothy 2:12; compare Philippians 4:12; I Peter 2:20; 4:19; Revelation 2:10). But, as we trust God in the midst of those trials, our faith and love for Him are deepened. In conforming to Christ's death, we come to an end of self — a giving up ourselves to live or die for Him.

The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us (Romans 8:18).

Thought for Today:

In the middle of our worst trials, we must not lose sight of the fact that this life is not all there is. For a Christian, there is eternity in Heaven.

Christ Revealed:

Through the smiting of Job (Job 16:10). Christ also was struck by those who ridiculed Him (Matthew 27:29-44; John 18:22-23; Psalms 22:7-8; 109:25; Isaiah 53).

Word Studies:

14:5 days are determined =b> allotted time to live is set; 15:4 restrainest =b> hinder; 15:25 strengtheneth =b> behaves proudly; 15:26 bosses of his bucklers =b> thick layers of shields; 15:27 collops of fat =b> figuratively speaking, bulging in prosperity; 15:29 neither shall he prolong the perfection thereof =b> he cannot reap its harvest; 15:34 tabernacles of bribery =b> houses of the bribetakers; 16:12 broken me asunder =b> thoroughly crushed me; 16:13 reins =b> heart and mind — the center of emotions; poureth out my gall =b> leaves me no hope of life.

Prayer Needs:

Pray for International Shortwave Radio Broadcasts sponsored by Mrs. Henrine Anding; Arabic International Shortwave Radio Broadcasts sponsored by Magdalene Waterlander; English International Shortwave Radio Broadcasts sponsored by Miss Vera L. Raney and Helayne Abrams; Spanish International Shortwave Radio Broadcasts sponsored by Luther Riley & Family • Staff: George Kopchak • Government Officials: Sec. Mike Johanns (Dept. of Agriculture), Rep. Gerald McNerney (CA), and Sen. John Rockefeller IV (WV) • Country: Sweden (8.09 million) in northern Europe • Major language: Swedish • Religious freedom • 90% Evangelical Lutheran; 1.5% Roman Catholic; 1% Pentecostal; 4% Muslim; 3.5% Other (Orthodox, Protestant, Muslim, Jewish, Mormon, Buddhist) • Prayer Suggestion: Draw near to God in prayer with a true heart in assurance of faith (Hebrews 10:22).

Optional Reading: Ephesians 1

Memory Verse for the Week: 2 Corinthians 1:9