(Week 42, Tuesday – Job 4:1-5:27)

Godly friends are a true blessing from God. Though Eliphaz has difficulty empathizing with Job, he does encourage him to trust in God to care for him in his present circumstances.

Do you have friends you can count on to encourage you when you need it … or even correct you when you need it? I do. And I thank God for them!

(Week 42, Monday – Job 2:1-3:26)

Again from the Lutheran Study Bible:

“Even the most optimistic people will reach despair when overwhelmed by pain and suffering, as the examples of prisoners of war demonstrate. The mind snaps just as bones do. Scripture does not teach that death is a friend to those who suffer – death is always an enemy but one overcome by the Lord. Commend those who despair to Jesus, who likewise cried, ‘My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?’ and rose from the dead to say, ‘Peace be with you’. Job is excused though he was not troubled by past evil deeds. Therefore troubles are not always punishments or signs of wrath. Indeed, terrified consciences should be taught that there are more important purposes for afflictions, so that they do not think God is rejecting them when they see nothing but God’s punishment and anger in troubles.”

(Week 41, Saturday – Job 1:1-22)

And so we start to read Job. If you have never read it before, it is a tough book. It will likely raise many questions, especially about God’s role in suffering. But it is not a book primarily about Law. It is at its heart a book about the Gospel – God’s grace in Jesus Christ. From the Lutheran Study Bible:

“Despite Job’s lack of understanding and inability to explain his suffering, he clings to his belief that God is still his Redeemer. The Book of Job teaches that suffering not simply God’s judgement for sin (though it certainly can be that); suffering may be a trial permitted by God for our good or for the good of another. Most important, human suffering is part of God’s redemptive plan for the salvation of all (demonstrated by Jesus’ suffering). Job trusts that a Mediator-Redeemer will justify him. And in the end, God leads Job to sincere repentance and renewed faith in His mercy. As you study Job, pray for the patience, wisdom, and strength shown by the saint. No matter what you may suffer, confess your Redeemer and call on Him. He will deliver you!”

(Week 41, Friday – Ester 8:1-10:3)

So, though God’s name is never mentioned, His care for His people is evident. The Jews are given permission to defend themselves if attacked and to eliminate their enemies. Vengeance belongs to the Lord and in it, in this case, God sustains His people so that His plan of salvation can be accomplished through it.

We live each day often unaware of how God is caring for us and how He is accomplishing His will. Now, with salvation won on the cross, His will and His plan is to draw each person who will believe into His care through His gift of faith by the power of the Holy Spirit. Thanks be to God that I am counted as His!

(Week 41, Thursday – Ester 5:1-7:10)

Love this comment from the Lutheran Study Bible on 5:1-8 …

Ester does not make her intentions known immediately, but waits for exactly the right time. Ultimately, it is God who inspires Ester’s delay in order to give Haman more rope with which to hang himself. We are often impatient, eager to hurry things along. When God seems to act too slowly on our behalf, we may still trust his wisdom and continue to pray with confidence, “Your good and gracious will be done.”

(Week 41, Tuesday – Ester 3:1-4:17)

“And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this? (14:14)”

How about you? How about me? Do we know the plans do God better than God? God has placed each one of us in a particular time and in particular circumstances to accomplish His purposes. Ester found herself uniquely positioned to help. God would save His people, and perhaps Ester would be part of that plan. She could do nothing. Or, she could act in the time and place she has been given by God.

God, help me see my part in the work you are doing and give me strength to act. Amen.

(Week 41, Tuesday – Ester 1:1-2:23)

Sorry for my absence for a few days. Been keeping up with my reading but not my writing. What a great book to start back on!
From the Lutheran Study Bible:

The Book of Ester is a beautiful portrayal of courage in the face of danger and the triumph of good in the face of powerful, sinister forces. Although the name of God is not mentioned, the Book of Ester implies divine providence throughout.

As you study Ester, remember why God worked through Ester and Mordecai to deliver the people of Judah. It was all part of God’s plan that the Savior would be born to that people it he land God designated, and at just the right moment, “when the fullness of time had come” (Gal 4:4).

(Week 40, Friday – Nehemiah 7:1-8:18)

Why would the people be sad after hearing the Word of God, when it had been so long? The force of God’s Law always convicts. Remember, they were returning from exile because of their sin. And not only would the specific word of God’s Law convict each soul, their years of living without God’s Word as His people confronted them. But rather than weep, they are sent away to celebrate. For God’s Word also carries His promise of forgiveness and reconciliation for those who repent.

All who believed, and all who believe today, have good reason to celebrate as we hear the Word of God. Think about this Word of God in Nehemiah and what it says to us – God is good, His promises are sure, He will be faithful. Thanks be to God!

(Week 40, Thursday – Nehemiah 4:1-6:19)

In the face of opposition, the people of God turn to God. They prayed, and in prayer they were reminded of God’s promise to protect them. But then they take up arms to protect themselves. Does that mean they didn’t trust God to do it?

God provides in many ways. He promises all we need for this body and life. But His provision also includes our ability to do what we need to do. For most of us, that is to work. God’s promise to provide does not mean we do nothing. It means we work, trusting not ourselves, but in Him.

(Week 40, Wednesday – Nehemiah 2:1-3:32)

Nehemiah had a pretty cushy job – serving wine to the king. Yes, he was a servant. But the servants of the king lived a pretty good life. Why, then, would Nehemiah jeopardize all that to go back to Jerusalem where things were not so good?

Nehemiah understood that he was the servant of another king – the King of kings and Lord of lords. So, Nehemiah is willing to sacrifice his relatively cushy life to do the work of the Lord.

God give me a never-ending desire to serve You!