Today’s Scripture Reading:  Job 32:1 through Job 34:37

I don’t know about you but I’m pretty tired of all this complaining about Job.  Today, some young guy named Elihu shows up to throw in his two cents.

Why is all this complaining recorded in the Bible?

There is much that I don’t know about the story of Job but I know two things:

1.  If it’s in the Bible, it’s there for a reason

2.  If there is repetition, it’s REALLY important

In Job 34:7, Elihu says, “Tell me, has there ever been a man like Job?”  I know I left off the last part, “with his thirst for irreverent talk?”  But I kept re-reading the first part, “Has there ever been a man like Job?” “Has there ever been a man like Job?”  Where had I heard that before?

It wasn’t the exact words, but God spoke a similar phrase two times, “He’s (Job) the finest man in all the earth (Job 1:8, Job 2:3)

It’s interesting to me that man can look at someone and see the negative in his uniqueness and God can look at that same person and see the beauty and perfection in his uniqueness.  Elihu was right; there had never been a man like Job.  He was blameless—a man of complete integrity.  He feared God and stayed away from evil.

Whose opinion is the most important to us?  God’s or Man

Of course we all say, “God’s opinion is the most important!”  But do we live like it?  Do we think like it?  Do we talk like it?

How do we find God’s opinion on everything from money to sex?  Read the Bible consistently. Here’s one more reason NOT TO QUIT on the journey! Folks I know this section of reading is a little difficult, but don’t quit.  The best part of Job is just around the corner!  AND Exodus is coming!

I’m praying that you don’t give up.  Remember; if you get behind just pick up on the current day’s reading!

Lord, show us all that you have for us!  Amen and Amen

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©2012, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  Job 35:1 through Job 37:24

Today’s Scripture Reading:  Job 30:1 through Job 31:40

After reading today’s passage a couple of times a pattern seemed to develop.  I counted nineteen questions Job asked in these two chapters.

When Job finished his list of questions and realized he had done all the things he thought God wanted him to do; he couldn’t understand why he felt so unloved and abandoned.  It seems from everything we have read that Job’s greatest desire was to please God.  Job must have felt heart-broken when he “thought” God wasn’t pleased with him.

We know about God’s conversation with Satan.  We know God was so proud of Job that he bragged about ‘his servant Job’ to the Accuser (Job 1:6-8).  But Job didn’t know this.  If Job could have been a fly on the wall during that conversation he would have walked through this trial with his head held high.  But he didn’t know…and neither do we.

We do the same thing as Job.  We say things like, “God, why is this happening to me?

I…

• Go to Church
• Give to the poor
• Pay my tithe
• Am honest
• Don’t cheat on my taxes
• Care for my neighbor
• Read my Bible
• I pray everyday

…Well, I guess God doesn’t  love me or He has forgotten me”…just like Job.

Maybe, just maybe God has said, “Satan, have you noticed my servant   __ (insert your name) __.  He/she is the finest man/woman in all the earth.  He/she is blameless—a man/woman of complete integrity.  He/she fears God and stays away from evil (Job 1:8).”

Because Job didn’t know about Jesus he didn’t realize  “there’s nothing you can do to make God love you more and there’s nothing you can do to make God love you  less.”  (A quote I’ve heard many times over the years)

If you’re going through a “Job-like” season of life, run to your heavenly Father, climb up in his lap and wait out the storm.  Settle the question once and for all, HE LOVES YOU (John 3:16)!

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©2012, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  Job 32:1 through Job 34:37

Today’s Scripture Reading:  Job 26:1 through Job 29:25

I noticed something in today’s reading that has gotten me thinking…

In verses 1-25 of chapter 29, Job uses the word

• Me- 13 times
• My- 10 times
• I   – 19 times

I know these verses are a discourse of Job’s defense, but I thought it was interesting that there were so many personal pronouns in this short section of scripture.  I certainly never want to compare myself to Job because my life looks like a walk in the park compared to his, but there was a time when I lost a lot in a short period of time.  During that season it was definitely “all about me.”  It was all I could do to survive so there was no energy, time, compassion, or finances to help anyone else.

I was so caught up in my pain that anyone who stopped by, including the U.P.S. man got an ear full!  Someone could say, “It’s sunny outside” and I could turn it into a conversation about my misery.

Now that I am many years past that difficult time, my observation is: when someone keeps rehashing their problems it’s a sign they’re still hurting.

I’m not sure if psychologists would agree, but what I’ve experienced in my own life is…

The best way to check your level of healing is by observing how much the past hurts are discussed.

Don’t feel bad,

talking about it is part of the healing process but there comes a time when we have to let it go. 

If you’ve been deeply hurt by another person make it your mission to get free of the bitterness as soon as you can.  For me, the bitterness, hurt, and anger came off like layers of onion skin.  It took a long time, but one day it was gone.

For you folks who don’t talk about your problems don’t get to feeling too confident here; if you’re thinking about it all the time, it’s just like talking about it.

There’s a positive side to Job’s willingness to “get his pain on the outside.”  Because Job talked through the pain and the healing you and I are learning from it today.  Just think about how many people Job has helped over the years.  What if he would have gone into a cave, disappeared and died of a broken heart?  Isn’t that what we want to do when we are hurting?  But just like Job, we can’t do that because God has a plan for the pain.

“The fear of the Lord is true wisdom; to forsake evil is real understanding.”   ~ Job 28:28

Blessings in Jesus!

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©2012, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  Job 30:1 through 31:40

Today’s Scripture Reading: Job 22:1-25:6

For years I’ve kept a journal of my conversations with God and I’ve always signed it, “I trust you Lord.”

But

just like Job “life” tested that trust.  When things happen in your life that just don’t make sense it let’s you know where you really are in your ability to trust God and I knew I hadn’t arrived in the trust department.

I want to trust God completely.

I want to be able to have confidence in my trust, like Job.

I want to be able to say with Job, “You know where I am going.  And when you test me, I will come out as pure gold.” (Job 23:10)

In Job’s monologue in Job 23:11-12, he gives instructions to help me trust Him more:

• Stay on God’s paths
• Follow the ways of the Lord and do not turn aside
• Do not depart from his commands
• Treasure God’s Words more than daily food

To be able to trust God more I must to keep my eyes on Him and not be distracted by other people and other things.  I believe distraction is one of the tools the enemy of our soul uses to pull  us away from God–we can’t quiet our mind enough to spend time with Him and develop our relationship with Him.

Job knew God because he spent time with them.  That’s what saved him during those dark days.  When the circumstances looked as if God had deserted Him, Job knew enough about God and His nature to trust His sovereignty, even when things don’t make sense .

Lord, I want to know You like Job.

Help me to trust you more.

In Jesus’ Name.  Amen and Amen!

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©2012, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Job 26:1-29:25

Today’s Scripture Reading: Job 19:1-21:34

But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last. And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God!  I will see him for myself. Yes, I will see him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought!

What a declaration!  It sounds like someone standing on the mountain-top of their life

but

it was Job at the worst time of his life.

How did he stand firm during the worst days of his life?

• Job personally knew his God.  He didn’t rely on his parents, teachers or pastors to know him.  He took personal responsibility to know his Heavenly Father.

• Job believed that his God was alive and in charge of the earth

• Job believed he would see God when he died; with his own eyes

• Job was thrilled with the thought of seeing his God.

In the good times of Job’s life he develop a trust in his God.  He not only believed in God, he believed in living for God. That belief carried him through life’s hard times.

Would you like to be able to stand for God in the worst of times?

Make a decision today not only give your life to Him, but to give today to Him.

Heavenly Father, I say with Job, “I know that my Redeemer lives!”  Jesus, help that belief to guide my day. Lord.  Bless our week.  Give us wisdom to live for You in our homes, workplaces, and communities.  Help us to trust You to be in charge of the earth.  Strengthen us to live a life of excellence that causes others to see You through our lives.

In Jesus’ Name.  Amen and Amen!

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©2012, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Job 22:1-25:6

My days are over. My hopes have disappeared. My heart’s desires are broken. –Job 17:11

Today’s Scripture Reading: Job 15:1-18:21

I can’t imagine the depth of despair Job felt when he spoke these words.  It’s easy to read Job’s story and move through his losses as if it’s some Hollywood movie.  Friends, this really happened. Put yourself in his shoes.

What would you have done?

What if…

• All your children were dead
• All of your servants were dead
• All of your animals were dead
• All of your food was gone
• All of your property was destroyed

Most of my life I naïvely thought seasons of depression, despair, and hopelessness could be avoided by Christian disciplines (prayer, Bible study, worship) and continual attitude adjustments. (Sounds like Job’s friends. Huh?)

Until…

Everything came crashing down.  I called it the fall of the hurdle-jumper.

As long is there’s enough space between the hurdles to recover, a hurdle jumper can go long distances, but let someone come and place all the hurdles side by side and even the best hurdle jumper will come crashing down.

That’s what happened to me.

In just about every area of my life I experienced a major loss: marriage, home, church, career, car, a great friend, and my Dad–all in a matter of a couple of years.

I said with Job, My days are over. My hopes have disappeared. My heart’s desires are broken. –Job 17:11

This strong “hurdle-jumper” came tumbling to the ground and my misconceptions about depression fell as well. I needed a healing of this mental cancer that had zapped the life and joy out of me.  “I” couldn’t fix me.

That was fifteen years ago.  Through the grace of God, His healing power, and a good medical doctor I made it through that dark time. I’m so thankful for the lessons I learned.  I didn’t realize it at the time but at my lowest God was the closest. As I look back I see those as special times.

Today I vividly understand the power that hope plays in our lives. God is the giver of hope and just like Job we can be sitting in a pile of rubble scraping our wounds, thinking hope is gone forever, while our Heavenly Father is continually saying “Don’t loose hope.  Some things just take a little time.  You’ll understand when You see me face to face. For now just keep your hope in Me!”

And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you. –Psalm 39:7

Heavenly Father, we need Your hope today.  I pray for my friends who feel the way I did years ago, hopeless and depressed.  Touch them through your supernatural power and send the gift of hope their way.

Jesus, remind us of the needs of the hurting.  Show us who we need to call, write, or visit.  Use us to be delivery agents of hope today.

In Your Name we pray.  Amen and Amen!

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©2012, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Job 19:1-21:34

God, do You hear me?

Lord, do You see the mess I’m in?

Lord, what have I done wrong?

Have you ever felt like Job and said these things to God?

I know I have.

Just like Job, when tough times hit I begin looking over my life, thinking of the mistakes I’ve made and wondering which one caused this calamity?

Job had done nothing wrong?  It was what he had done right that had caused his world to fall apart. God was so pleased with Job’s love and loyalty towards Him that He spoke like a proud father to Satan and said, “Have you noticed my servant Job?” (Job 1:8)

When hard times hit me personally, I do some soul-searching:

1. Is there unconfessed sin in my life?
2. Have I lived my life contrary to God’s Word? (One more reason it’s important to read the Bible)
3. Do I have unforgiveness in my life?

If the answer to any of those is “yes,” I immediately begin ask God to help me correct that area and ask for His forgiveness.

And God immediately forgives me.

But,

The situation doesn’t usually change immediately.

Why?

Maybe my sin wasn’t the reason for the trial.

Maybe God was sending me ahead for someone else.

Maybe there is something He’s teaching me that I haven’t learned yet.

Many times my answer to those three questions is “no” and like Job I want God to send me an email and tell me what I have done.

But maybe like Job, I haven’t done anything wrong.

Maybe God is proudly saying, “Have you noticed my servant Dianne?”

Maybe God has me on a special assignment.

I really don’t have the answers (the reason for all the maybes) but I know that I trust Him with my life.  I can’t wait to get to the last few chapters in the book of Job so that you can see the faithfulness of God!

God allows hard times into our lives to…

• Grow us

• Correct us

• Cause others to know Him more.

You will hear me say this many times in the next year…

We are on this earth for two reasons: To know Christ and to help others to know Him

That’s it.

This world is not the party, that will be in heaven.

Blessings in Jesus!

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©2012, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Job 15:1-18:21

In today’s reading we see that Job’s second friend Bildad is basically a repeat performance of Eliphaz, except now he is attacking Job’s children (8:4).  But today I focused more on Job’s response than his Pharisaic friends. I was struck by the fact that Job knew God.  I mean he really knew Him.  Verse after verse Job describes the attributes of God.  Then I begin to question, how did Job get to know God Almighty at such depth, when there was no Bible at that time?

Today’s Scripture Reading:  Job 8:1 through Job 11:20

I think one way Job knew God was he “visited” with Him through stargazing.  In Chapter 9 verses 9 and 10, Job talks about the stars and the constellations.  The magnitude of the heavens caused Job to say “He (God) does great things too marvelous to understand.  He performs countless miracles.”

Last night my Husband Harry and I were outside “stargazing”.  It was a beautiful night, the stars were bright and each one seemed to have its own special attributes.  My thoughts always go to God when I look at the stars.

Taking the time to stare at the sky really puts you in your place.  You realize that the stars look like a dot but they are huge and you look huge but you’re really just a dot! I can just imagine Job sitting outside on a starry night and watching the sky, looking for God and saying, “Yet when he comes near, I cannot see him.  When he moves by, I do not see Him go (9:11).”

I have to say one more thing about star-gazing; it takes time.  We have to pull ourselves away from the noise of life and be quiet to get to know God. Whether, it’s looking at stars, enjoying nature, or reading the Bible and praying; it takes effort to know Him.  I’m so proud of you for making the commitment to take this journey to know Him more!

Job was grieving, but he was grieving with the knowledge that the God of the universe was overseeing his grief and somehow his God was bigger than all he had lost.  Yes, he questioned God; because he knew God knew the answers.  There’s comfort in that.  If Job had believed in the “Big Bang Theory” and not God, where could he have gone with his questions?

Job knew his limits:  “God is not a mortal like me, so I cannot argue with him or take him to trial (9:32).”  Even so, Job wanted to get closer:  “If only there were a mediator between us, someone who could bring us together (9:33).”  This is huge.  This cry of Job for a mediator was answered when Jesus Christ came to earth:

For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 2:5).

Jesus Christ, whom Job knew nothing about, would come and be exactly what he requested, our mediator.  S-T-O-P and let the impact of this thought permeate you—Job, knew he needed a Savior, a connector to God the Father; so that He could know God more–no one told him this, he just knew.

Dear Lord, thank you for answering Job’s request and giving us Your Son Jesus not only for the redemption of our sins but so that we could know You more!

Amen and Amen!

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©2012, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  Job 12:1 through Job 14:22

Have you ever had someone say to you, “If I were you, I would…?” Have you ever gone through some type of tragedy, loss, or difficult time and had someone say, “I know how you feel,” when you knew they didn’t know. It just does more harm than good doesn’t it?

Today’s Scripture Reading: Job 5:1 through Job 7:21

“If I were you, I would” is exactly what Job’s friend Eliphaz said to him (Job 5:8). There was no “I’m sorry for your loss”, “this is such a tragedy”, “I have no idea how you must feel” or “what can I do to help you?”

Nope. There was nothing but condemnation and “If I were yous.”

Have you ever been an Eliphaz to a family member, friend, or co-worker? Have you ever been an Eliphaz to someone in your church family? I’m sorry to say that I certainly have. There have been times when I have kicked someone when they were down–put my foot in my mouth and swallowed it! Most of the time I didn’t do it on purpose; I just didn’t realize how my words were affecting them.  There were way to many times when I didn’t say anything but I sure had Eliphaz thoughts.

So many times we completely avoid people who are grieving because we don’t know what to say. I sort of think it would have been good for Eliphaz to have stayed home and avoided Job that day. He certainly didn’t encourage Job.

Job said it best in chapter 6, verse 26:

Do you think your words are convincing when you disregard my cry of desperation?

Job needed someone to…

• Cry with him
• Acknowledge his pain
• Connect with him at the heart level
• Grieve with him
• Help him rebuild his life
• Comfort him
• Encourage him
• Let him talk

Job did not need someone to…

• Preach at him
• Criticize him
• Tell him what to say to God
• Say silly clichés like: “your loved ones are in a better place,” “God must’ve needed them in heaven”, etc
• Accuse Job of sin

At the church I attend, Niceville Assembly of God, our Foc[US] statement addresses our desire to NOT be an Eliphaz…

Our commitment to love, acceptance, and forgiveness allows God to bring people to wholeness through restoration and spiritual formation.

Eliphaz was trying to bring Job to wholeness. While his intentions may have been to help, he actually did more to push him down than lift him up. All Job needed was someone to grieve with him. God and God alone is the only one who can bring us to wholeness.

As I bring this post to a close, my prayer is that I never become an Eliphaz to you as we take this journey. The fear of making that mistake could have kept me from starting the journey. But with the urging of the Holy Spirit, I stepped out on faith! My desire is to encourage you and lift you up in your relationship with Jesus Christ!

Blessings!

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©2012, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Job 8:1 through Job 11:20

Hang on to your hats folks; we’re moving into deep waters as we enter the book of Job.

Today’s Scripture Reading:  Job 1: 1 through Job 4:21

We were introduced to evil in Genesis 3:1 in the form of a serpent. Now in Job 1:6, we are introduced to the invisible world of evil through Satan.

After observing Satan talking to God about Job, it made me wonder…

• Did Satan talk to God about Abraham, Isaac and Jacob?
• What about Joseph?
• Did Satan ask to test Joseph?

It almost seems like God allowed us to see all the sin, rebellion, greed, and deception in Genesis and then He takes us to the book of Job and draws back the curtain and shows us where the evil really came from through the story of Job.

In Job 1:1, the scripture tells us that Job feared God and stayed away from evil. Job even purified his children (v 5) just in cased they had sinned. Fearing God is healthy, but Job also feared disaster.

In Job 3:25, Job said, what I always feared has happened to me.  What I dreaded has come to pass.  Was this the area in which God wanted to deepen Job’s spiritual insight? Maybe, as Satan was patrolling the earth, he saw and heard Job worrying and fretting and just put into motion what Job had worried about once God gave Satan the okay to test Job.

Many, many people, even Christian people live in fear, just like Job. That is not God’s plan.

In Timothy 1:7, the Word of God says, For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

Job did many things right and we are going to learn a lot from him in the next few days.  But today, let’s learn from something  Job did wrong—

Fear and worry, we’re sending you packing!  You aren’t welcome here anymore!

In Jesus’ Name~

Amen and Amen

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©2012, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Reading, January 20th:   Job 5:1 through 7:21