Reading

• Job 4:1-7:21

Devotional

Job’s three friends Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar visited him in his turmoil. They sat with him 7 days and nights without saying a word. Finally, Eliphaz was the first to speak. He observed that only the wicked are destroyed and GOD punishes those who do evil and blesses the righteous. It seems he was hinting to Job that perhaps Job wasn’t as innocent as he was making himself out to be. Perhaps he had sinned and this was why GOD was punishing him. Of course we know this was not the case, but in Eliphaz’s comments, he makes some interesting observations about GOD. These comments will be the focus of today’s devotional.

⁸ “But if I were you, I would appeal to God; I would lay my cause before him. ⁹ He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted. ¹⁰ He provides rain for the earth; he sends water on the countryside. ¹¹ The lowly he sets on high, and those who mourn are lifted to safety. ¹² He thwarts the plans of the crafty, so that their hands achieve no success. ¹³ He catches the wise in their craftiness, and the schemes of the wily are swept away. ¹⁴ Darkness comes upon them in the daytime; at noon they grope as in the night. ¹⁵ He saves the needy from the sword in their mouth; he saves them from the clutches of the powerful. ¹⁶ So the poor have hope, and injustice shuts its mouth.
(Job 5:8-16 NIV)

While Eliphaz was incorrectly assuming Job had brought his suffering upon himself as punishment from GOD, he correctly observed about the nature of GOD. It is GOD who is in control, and nothing is beyond His ability or power. Only He understands what is happening to us and why. He cares for you and every other person beyond anything you or I can understand. Job said as much in his response to Eliphaz:

¹⁷ What is man that You should magnify him and think him important? And that You should set Your mind upon him? ¹⁸ And that You should visit him every morning and try him every moment?
(Job 7:17-18 AMP)

GOD lifts up those who are down, when they seek Him and cry out for help. He defeats those who create evil plans thinking they can outsmart others and GOD. He saves the needy and the poor.

Though GOD may decide not to take away the suffering from us, He very much cares about what is happening and He is close by helping us through the difficult days and sharing the good days with us. Rejoice and be thankful that GOD chooses to be mindful of us in this special way.