God Speaks
Someone From the Younger Generation Speaks Up
Verse of the Day: [May we declare the truth of the following statement regardless of our age.] “My words come from an upright heart; my lips sincerely speak what I know. The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of God gives me life.” (Job 33: 3-4 NIV)
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Watch TBR Day 012 Job 32-34
We Respond
Reflection: Consider the following questions regarding Job 32-34:
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 32
1. Elihu was right: speaking just to flatter someone is a sin against our holy God.
2. Younger people like Elihu are sometimes afraid to speak against the prevailing wisdom of their elders.
Job 33
1. It is the Spirit of God that made all human beings and the breath of the Almighty that gives us life. God speaks again and again though people do not always recognize it.
2. People are to speak the truth with all sincerity. People who acknowledge they have sinned should keep silent before Him and let God teach them wisdom.
Job 34
1. God Almighty cannot sin or do wrong. God repays people according to what their deeds deserve. He cannot do wrong or pervert justice. He is the ultimate source of life and breath.
2. People should say to God, “I have sinned, but I will sin no more. I don’t know what evil I have done–LORD, tell me. If I have done wrong, I will stop at once.”
Prayer:
3. How might I pray regarding Job 32-34? [This “prayer-a-phrase” is based on Job 34:21-32.]
O great and awesome God, You love people so much that You carefully watch over how we live. You see everything we do–good or bad. You repay people according to what their deeds deserve. You bring the wicked and haughty to ruin without consulting anyone. You do it openly for all to see. You put Your humble and righteous ones in their place. LORD, You judge those who have turned away from following You, those who have no respect for any of Your ways. As the poor and needy cry out, they get Your attention. You choose when to stay quiet and when to act. When You choose to intervene, You prevent the godless from ruling so they cannot be a snare to the people. Please do so now in my nation and wherever You deem necessary in the world. Please protect the most vulnerable. Stir Your chosen people to say, “I have sinned, but with Holy Spirit’s help, I will sin no more. I don’t know what evil I have done–LORD, tell me. When I do wrong, I need Your strength and guidance to stop at once.” May we all dedicate ourselves to bringing 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 32-34? With the help of God’s Holy Spirit:
- I will make sure I have concrete evidence before I accuse someone of wrongdoing or sin.
- I will encourage a young person to express their opinions, but I will also assist them in making sure they have all the facts first.
- I will ask God to open my eyes (and those of others) to see and understand the various ways God is speaking to me (and them).
- I will say to God, “I have sinned, but with Holy Spirit’s help, I will sin no more. I don’t know what evil I have done–LORD, tell me. When I do wrong, I need Your help to stop at once.”
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.