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Day 143 – Thru the Bible
Today we continue Job and Psalms.
Job 12 – 14 – Job responds to his friends, initially at least, with dazzling truth. First, he tells them he has heard nothing new from them. Then Job resolves to take his case directly to God (13:3). Next Job declares his friends’ words to be “worthless,” a “whitewash”, explaining that if they’d only sat by him in silence, it would have been the way of wisdom.
Silence is golden. A caring presence can be far more helpful than thoughtless words or arrogant assumptions that our wise words can fix others’ brokenness. When we have nothing to say, we should say nothing. God can defend Himself from others’ expressions of anger or frustration. Or rather, God will declare Himself —which He does, in the book of Job, soon enough. Moreover, we don’t help a sufferer by assuming a superior position.
The gospel says that our ultimate healing occurred when God “emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:7).
How has the cross healed you?
Job 15 – Job 15:1–21:34 Second Cycle. The arguments of each participant harden in the second round of speeches. Once again the three friends say that Job is suffering because of his sin. Job refuses to accept that explanation. He sees the wicked not as sufferers but as those who prosper despite their godlessness.
Psalm 138 – Psalms 138–145 comprise the final set of psalms in the Psalter attributed to David. Here, David focuses on God’s faithfulness to him personally, which extends, then, to God’s faithfulness to Israel as a whole through whom the nations of the world will one day bow in thanksgiving to Yahweh, the God of Israel.
The “steadfast love” highlighted in Psalm 136 is back in view here. Of the many reasons David has for offering thanks to the Lord, God’s faithfulness, His loyal and committed love to David and to the nation of Israel, ranks high on the list. David’s personal testimony of God’s unwavering faithfulness and steadfast love is given here: “On the day I called, You answered me; my strength of soul You increased,” and, “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You preserve my life; You stretch out Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and Your right hand delivers me.” In light of God’s faithfulness in the past, David concludes with hope in God for the future: “The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of Your hands.”
The gospel is founded on the faithfulness of God to His promise. Were it not for God’s sovereign commitment to bring about the salvation of His chosen ones through the coming of Jesus, we would have no hope. And were God to promise but fail to fulfill what He said, we likewise would be without hope. But God is faithful; He keeps His word; His steadfast love indeed never fails.
How is the work of Jesus is the ultimate proof of this truth that God’s steadfast love never fails?
What other thoughts or questions does today’s reading bring up?
Some of these notes are from the ESV Gospel Transformation Bible study notes. We highly recommend this study Bible.
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