Daily Devotional

Scripture Job 21:30 For the wicked are reserved for the day of doom; They shall be brought out on the day of wrath.

Observation: All through this chapter Job is answering why don’t the wicked suffer? He goes on to say that the wicked prosper, stay healthy and appear to be doing fine. The reality is that a day is coming when everyone will be judged and the wicked will have to take their punishment. It is not ours to judge others or condemn, that belongs to the Lord. Also, when trials and tribulations come like Job’s it doesn’t mean that he is wicked for we all will go through trials on this earth, but this can be the opportunity for the righteous to shine and earn rewards if they trust in the Lord.

Application: I feel I continually go through trials unfortunately most of the time it’s an exaggeration in my mind more than a hardship. I will go through a trial in my mind before anything happens and suffer the anxiety that comes from it. In all my trials, whether true or not, I need to trust in the Lord with all of my might. I don’t know why I have such a hard time trusting my Lord He is always faithful, but I need to pray and trust more and put it in the hands of my Master.

Prayer: help me Lord, increase my faith and guide me each day in the direction you desire me to go. I’m not supposed to be here for me, but for you and I know some of the things you desire of me help me do those in a way that pleases you. I love you and desire to honor you direct my path.

Scripture Job 20:2 “Therefore my anxious thoughts make me answer, Because of the turmoil within me.

Observation: That is normally how I have a conversation I say things out of my feelings instead of my spirit. I don’t think of the consequences of what I’m about to say I just need to say it to get it out of my system, which usually is the wrong thing to do. The Bible says so much about the evil of the tongue and the damage it can do by hurting others and disappointing God. We feel at times we are the only one to speak, as Job’s friends were. We might feel we have the right or the knowledge, but most of all we can’t hold it in and need to let it out no matter who it might hurt.

Application: I need to give these anxious thoughts to God. Lately my mind has been spinning with the possibility of losing my job, the bills and the taxes I owe. My mind is constantly going and I feel so anxious. In my mind I want to tell some people off, even though they might not have anything to do with my situation. The only one that control me is my lord, if I let Him. If I give this burden to Him I know he will take it from me and give me peace, but I need to give it to Him completely and not take it back every few hours. I need to pray before I speak and make sure what is about to come out of my mouth is loving and encouraging.

Prayer: My Lord help me please. My mind is about to explode and I got myself sick with all of the thoughts racing through my mind. Take this anxiety from me and give me the wisdom, knowledge and patience I will need to be honoring to you. Please remove this anger from my spirit and give me peace. I love you Lord help guide me.

Scripture Job 19:26 And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, That in my flesh I shall see God,

Observation: This is one of the verses Randy Alcorn, author of Heaven, quoted to prove we will have resurrected bodies in heaven. It was so wonderful reading the heaven book, because it opened my eyes on what Heaven will be like according to the Bible. We get to start new with our Lord. I’m going to have a new body that won’t decay or get sick and I will live forever with my Lord. I look at this body now and how I have abused it. I’m overweight, have diabetes, by body is full of arthritis and the list goes on. I cling to the hope I will have a new body on a new Earth someday and I get to spend forever with the love of my life, Jesus.

Application: I need to be living each day, each moment focused on my new life, my eternal life. Instead of focusing on the problems that surround me I need to be thinking how God wants me to handle them now, because the way I act now and the things I accomplish for my Lord will be the things that will last forever. These are where my rewards will be generated, here on this old earth. I need to live each day with the aim of honoring God and filling my heart with joy that soon I will have a new home forever.

Prayer: Dear Lord show me how you want me to be. Guide me each day on what You want me to do. Ease my spirit with the troubles I see each day and remind me of what is to come and the home you are building me now in my eternal home. I love you Lord and can’t wait to spend all eternity worshiping you.

Scripture Job 18:3 Why are we counted as beasts, And regarded as stupid in your sight?

Observation: It doesn’t matter if we are right or wrong if we are wrong in the eyes of those that surround us. I remember being young and thinking I knew everything. It didn’t matter if you could prove me wrong in my mind you were the one that was stupid. Most of us might think we are right about something and we are so sure if someone disagrees, will they must be the ones that are wrong. This is an attitude that stops us from learning, because we already feel we know and aren’t open to any other explanation. We look at others if they are the ones that are stupid when we should be looking at ourselves to discover we aren’t very intelligent.

Application: That is me if someone disagrees with me I put up a barrier to make sure I stay right. Just the other day I was in a meeting with my client and he was talking about doing a dinner outside. Before he finished I had all kinds of reasons why it wouldn’t work. I need to stay still, be patient and listen to others. I need to be open minded and not assume I’m the one that knows everything. If I listen to others then they have a reason to listen to me when my time comes. I need to learn and to understand, especially when it comes to my Lord. It will be good practice to listen to others now so that I may be ready when I need to be listening and learning from my God.

Prayer: My Lord help me be patient with others. Slow my mind down so that I might listen before I speak and understand the information someone else is trying to tell me. Give me wisdom that I so desperately need and grow me as a man, a man that will honor You.

Scripture Job 17:9 Yet the righteous will hold to his way, And he who has clean hands will be stronger and stronger.

Observation: To be righteous and know that you are on the path God has set you on makes you strong. Your hands being clean is being free of sin, that you do what God commands and others won’t be able to find fault with you. If you know you’re on the righteous path you won’t sway to the left or the right but you will stay on course, because this is the only way for you. You need to know in your heart that you are doing what God calls you to do and if you are God will strengthen you and guide you.

Application: I need to be righteous and I’m not. I continue to go towards the things that I think are right disregarding what God calls me to do. I’m anxious and scared lately, because I don’t trust my Lord even though He has proven himself trustworthy. I want to be righteous and follow my Lord completely, obeying every command. I need to get this self-centered mentality behind me and be focused only on what God desires of me.

Prayer: My Lord tell me what you want of me. Keep me on the path you have chosen and give me strength and wisdom to stay on it every day. I need you to help me run this race or I won’t finish well. I want to be righteous in your eyes and I know I can’t do that on my own, help me Lord be the man you want me to be. I love you Father draw me close to you.

Scripture Job 16:12 I was at ease, but He has shattered me; He also has taken me by my neck, and shaken me to pieces; He has set me up for His target,

Observation: Have you ever felt like everything was against you even God. You felt like God was using you for target practice just to see how miserable he could make you? Even though we may feel that way from time to time, we know it doesn’t make sense. God is love and if we are going through something there is a reason for it. Instead of cursing at God this is the time we need to listen closely. Like Job our enemy is not God but the devil who wants to draw us away from God. We can’t let him, we need to draw closer to God know that He is our refuge and not our enemy.

Application: Lately I’ve been feeling like I’ve been beat up. Currently I’m worried if I will have a job or that we will lose the contract and at 63 years old it won’t be easy to find work. My finances are an ongoing issue. These are some of the things that I’m focused on along with some health problems, so what is my problem? I’m focused on the wrong things. God doesn’t cause my problems he is there to help me get through them. God is always there waiting for me to turn to Him and to trust and obey Him and that is what I need to do through these times of trouble, which I’m guessing will be the rest of my life here.

Prayer: My Lord and my God. Thank you for always being there and giving me a way out. I know I will continue to go through trials, your word tells me that, but it also tells me that you will guide me through them. Help me stay focused on you and not my problems and draw mw closer to you all the days of my life. I love you and trust you.

Scripture Job 15:13 That you turn your spirit against God, And let such words go out of your mouth?

Observation: Before you can say anything evil or hurtful to someone your spirit must be turned from God. If God is in your heart there is no room for foul language and hurtful talk. Before you say anything wicked you must not be thinking of God and what He desires of you, because if God fills your heart and you desire to please Him no wicked words or thoughts would come from you. Our action show others how we place God in our lives. If we are acting and saying what God commands us to we are truly following Him, if not our backs are turned toward Him and we are not listening.

Application: My thoughts and words are hurtful so much of the time. When I think it is typically negative thoughts, which means I’m not thinking of God. I need to have God in my heart and mind at all times so this doesn’t happen. I need to be in constant prayer with my Lord and catch myself whenever I wonder from Him. I need to act and say things that will guide others to my Lord and not away. I want people to know that I belong to my Lord and then want them to get to know Him.

Prayer: My Lord forgive me for being so hurtful towards your children. May I be with you always that my thoughts would be of you and that I place your commands in my mind so that I will not say anything hurtful towards others. Help me be better, You deserve the best from me.