God Speaks
Job’s Only Hope, to Have an Advocate in Heaven
Verse of the Day: “Even now my witness is in heaven; my advocate is on high. My intercessor [Jesus Christ] is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God; on behalf of a [person] He pleads with God as one pleads for a friend.” (Job 16:19-21 NIV)
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Watch TBR Day 007: Job 14-16
We Respond
Reflection: Consider the following questions regarding Job 14-16:
1. What does this chapter tell me about God?
2. What does this chapter tell me about the human beings He created?
Here is one possible answer to each of these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are any others for you personally to ponder.
Job 14
1. God keeps a close watch on His frail and fleeting creatures, especially human beings.
2. Many people suffer painfully; their life is full of trouble.
Job 15
1. God does comfort with firm and gentle words the people who turn to Him.
2. Eliphaz was right: evil people shake their fists at God, defying the Almighty. Their wealth will not endure.
Job 16
1. Jesus Christ is Job’s and our advocate in Heaven.
2. There are times when people, even our friends or family members, are miserable comforters.
Prayer:
3. How might I pray regarding Job 14-16?
O LORD God, I agree with Job. Human life is fragile, short, and full of trouble. Only You, the great Creator God, can bring purity out of an impure person or order out of chaos. You do determine the length of our lives. Because Jesus conquered death, the dead can live again and for eternity. We humans are Your handiwork. You do cover the guilt of our sins. It is not You, O God, who destroys people’s hope. It is our own personal sinful inclinations, any godless culture around us, or Satan and his forces. It seems that increasing numbers of people have no fear of You, LORD, no reverence for You, O God. They have turned against You and say and do many evil things. At times they blame You for things that are truly the work of Satan and his forces, but even he has to have Your permission. Help people to know from experience that they have an advocate in heaven: Jesus Christ mediates between God and them. He is there to give them courage and to take away their sin and grief. The more we trust and obey You, the more we will bring You glory, LORD. AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
4. What action does the LORD want me to take in response to Job 14-16? With the help of God’s Holy Spirit:
- When my friends scorn me, I will pour out my tears to God.
- When someone accuses me of sin or wrongdoing, I will ask the Lord Jesus to plead my case.
- I will depend on the Holy Spirit and the Bible to help me to counsel or comfort a friend correctly.
- I will talk with someone about how God can take the impurities in their life away and give them pure motives, attitudes, and actions instead.
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with _________.