Devotion:
Read Job 13:1-5, 13-15.
Job is probably the one book of the Bible with which I struggle the most. The portrayal of God in the opening scene goes against the Old Testament emphasis on the God of justice. And the closing scene goes against what the rest of the book seems to be stating: that suffering and struggles in this life do not always have a good ending.
However, the book also teaches some very beneficial lessons. It lets us know that the really hard questions and circumstances of life do not have simple answers, if there are any answers at all. Job had been taught that if you lived a good life and were faithful to God, you would only have blessings come your way. Suddenly, that was not his experience. So, he had to rebuild his “faith house.” He sought a new relationship with God, with new understandings of what that relationship involved. And in the end, he had a personal encounter with God that changed him and what he believed.
Many people of our day and time are also finding the need to reconstruct what they believe. God affirms these spiritual construction projects. Whether you are “reconfiguring, renovating or reconstructing” your faith house of beliefs, seek God in the process. And if you know someone who is going through this at whatever level, be willing to walk with them.
Personal Worship Option:
Who do you know who is struggling with questions about the Bible or beliefs about God or some other aspect of faith? Pray for God to guide you in how to best be a resource for them in the midst of their struggle. (Encourage them to join us for worship during our present sermon series at Christ Church or at least to listen in online.)
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