Focus

Let yourself become open to God and the knowledge that comes from the Word. Ask God for peace at this time.

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Read

Job 13:13-19 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

“Let me have silence, and I will speak,
and let come on me what may.

I will take my flesh in my teeth,
and put my life in my hand.

See, he will kill me; I have no hope;
but I will defend my ways to his face.

This will be my salvation,
that the godless shall not come before him.

Listen carefully to my words,
and let my declaration be in your ears.

I have indeed prepared my case;
I know that I shall be vindicated.

Who is there that will contend with me?
For then I would be silent and die.

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Reflect

There is discussion and there is talk. In a world of social media, there is a lot of talk.  There are a lot of opinions, grandstanding, pompous pronunciations, and pontificating.  I get so tired of it.

In our scripture today Job had enough of it.  His friends were giving him “advice” and he had enough.  Job decided he was done listening to all the noise and he was going to take his case directly to God come what may.

I believe it unfortunate that the NRSV translates verse 15 in the way it does.  The King James Version outshines the NRSV here:

Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.

There comes a point when you have to turn to God and tune out all the noise.  There is a warning in this though.  Job is not flippantly dismissing his friends.  Job has a solid knowledge of himself and Job has a deep faith in God.  Job knew God.

There will be times when friends will help us.  There will be times when we need to heed the advice of others.  Then there are times when we have to shut out the noise and seek God and God alone. When we are in a deep relationship with God, there will be times when we do not know what or why things are happening, but we will trust even more in God.

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Pray

God, higher are your ways and thoughts than mine.  When I do not understand what is happening, or why things are happening, help me to turn to good guidance in these times.  Give me discernment when I must shut out the noise or to listen.  Amen

Go with God!