January 03, 2022
Today we are looking at 2 verses from the last chapter of the Book of Job. To quickly recap, Job was a wealthy man with a large family and extensive flocks. We learn in the very first verse that Job was blameless, he was a man of complete integrity, he feared God, and stayed away from evil. One day Satan appeared before God and argued that Job was only good because God had blessed him abundantly. Satan challenged God that if given permission to punish Job that he would turn and curse God. God allowed Satan to torment Job as a test, but Satan was not allowed to take Job’s life. In 37 chapters, we read of the immense trials that Job endured, which included the death of his family, loss of his home, loss of his flocks, physical torment, the turning away of his extended family, emotional pain, painful conversations with friends, etc. But, in the midst of everything, Job never curses God.
In chapters 38 – 42 we see that God challenges Job and an intense dialogue takes place between them. Today’s verses come at the end of this dialogue, and in the midst of the conclusion when the Lord blesses Job. If you recall, Job had several very long theological conversations with three of his friends. They were all trying to explain the nature of God. The problem was that all of them were using their human knowledge. They had no idea that this was a spiritual situation between God and Satan. God was mad at them, but Job prays forgiveness for them.
How often do you pray for yourself and your circumstances? Now, compare that to how often you pray for others and their circumstances? In the midst of praying, do you trust God with every fiber of your being? During prayer, do you let go of the fact that you have no clue of what is going on in the Heavenly realm on your behalf? Do you pray for those who hurt you? Do you pray for those who are hard to love?
When Job prays for his friends, who had been difficult, the Lord restores him. I’m sure the “stuff” he is blessed with is nice, but the greatest blessing is that the Lord supernaturally healed Job’s body and soul, he returns his extended family and their response to Job is beautiful. If you go on within the chapter, you will continue to see more and more blessings of family and flocks.
We must pray for others and keep in mind, for ourselves, what the Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Colossian: “So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding.” (1:9)
Job 42:10-11 NLT
10 When Job prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes. In fact, the Lord gave him twice as much as before! 11 Then all his brothers, sisters, and former friends came and feasted with him in his home. And they consoled him and comforted him because of all the trials the Lord had brought against him. And each of them brought him a gift of money and a gold ring.
Prayer: Jesus, Thank You for the lesson of Job. Please help me to pray for those who are difficult. When I do not understand why something is taking place, please quicken my heart to submit to You, and to trust that You have everything under control. Please deepen our time together in prayer and reveal more of Your heart for others to me. I ask all of this in Your Precious and Holy Name, Jesus. Amen.
Written by: Jennifer Auer, Pastor Mary Haley’s Assistant