16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. – James 5:16
I agree I’ve been enjoying James and Job is more difficult.
Reference to Job in James 11:5 – I think that’s really at the heart of Job – he never backed down – remained true in the midst of Satan’s trials and even with terrible help from his friends
“Don’t grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. For look—the Judge is standing at the door!”
James 5:9 NLT
the Lord is the only judge. we are to love each other.
i love how in James it used Job as an example of someone who was patient in suffering. I’m still trying to understand Job but from all that i’ve been reading Job suffered a lot. James reminds us that we need to be patient as we wait on the Lord. It talked about farmers who wait for the rain to come in the fall and the spring. “You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.”
James 5:8 NLT
7 Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. 8 You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. – James 5:7-8
I needed this reading today. Job never gave up his Faith with God even though he suffered so badly. James is a great way to understand Job and how we are to love one another and not judge. Forgive me of my judgments Lord. Help me not to judge. Only You do that.
Especially in light of James 5:19-20, as I read Job’s “friends’” proclamations, I realize it is our job only and always to look to and point to Christ as we evaluate our circumstances and those of our friends. Do we trust the Holy Spirit to do His work?
Lord, please forgive me for when I sin and wander from you. Help me to follow and obey you. Allow me to live in such a way that I am used through you to shine your light. Use me Lord, thank you. In Jesus name, Amen
James 5:19-20 – My dear friends, if you know people who have wandered off from God’s truth, don’t write them off. Go after them. Get them back and you will have rescued precious lives from destruction and prevented an epidemic of wandering away from God.
Pray for me as I try to help my mom see the truth. She has wandered off and needs prayer and the Holy Spirit to gently woo her back.
On this 30 th day of reading God says to have patience in our hard times and that the prayers of a righteous man accomplishes much : when the disciple was locked up in the prison , angels were dispatched to save him on the first day but doubt stopped the answer from coming right away . The journey of Moses to the promise land was a short distance however due to their doubt they wandered for forty years until they were spiritually able to receive it and yet the lord was faithful and fed them manna from on high and water from the stone and allowed them to cross the Red Sea on dry land . He was their provider back then as he is ours today . Trust in he who never fails . He loves us everyone . Praise God in the highest for he is worthy to be praised . This is the day that the lord has made and I will rejoice and be glad in it ,
Struggling now to be patient and persevere in the midst of making a decision that feels wrong according to what the world tells me but right according to what God tells me. I pray that the Lord will show compassion and mercy and intercede on my behalf.
What is the message version? I’m seeing a lot of comments about it helping with reading Job. I really love the passages from James we have been reading!
19Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven,
and he who testifies for me is on high.
This translation does not use Advocate but such a neat foreshadowing of Christ our advocate and mediator.
Something confusing in the Bible to me is when people are talked about as being “blameless” or “innocent.” The only one who was ever blameless was Jesus, so what does this mean? Job’s sins were less than others making him blameless in comparison?
Christina I have struggled with this myself. Then I started to feel that generally when I see that written, it is in the Old Testament, before the birth of Christ. Do you think that is why we see the error in those words?
It’s just like saying they are righteous. And yes, there is none righteous, not even one. The only One who is pure and righteous is Jesus. However, just like with Abraham, he believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness. So I think when they are talking about being blameless and pure or innocent, they are talking about their faith before God. Because Job did sin, as did his children which is why he was always offering up sacrifices. He was always trying to make things right with God. He believed God and had great faith, making him righteous.
In Job 16: 11-14, Job describes with gut-wrenching imagery how he feels attacked by God (“He seized me by the neck and dashed me to pieces”). He doesn’t hold any of his feelings back. However, there’s an awesome parallel in James 5:7-11 where we’re told to be patient and steadfast like Job, and where we’re reminded of how purposeful, compassionate, and merciful God is. Even when things really suck, He is good.
Job 16: 20 “My intercessor is my friend
as my eyes pour out tears to God;
21 on behalf of a man he pleads with God
as one pleads for a friend.” This is Jesus!
In the midst of emotions and circumstances that may lead to decay within the soul…Lord help me be encouraged by the honest words of a man who lost what the world knows as everything. Material possessions, relationships, and health. It all seemed a mess. Job longs for something greater. Renewal, refreshment, cleansing, and relationship. The image of the trees and the water running over rocks gives me hope that however I see myself or my situation, there is always something greater. Christ Himself, who puts things in bags and revives things to life again. These words from the Bible are my seeds of hope today.
There is ALWAYS Hope! He made dry bones live and showed Ezekiel…He is not slow but He sees the bigger picture and just like He waited to give Saul the Damascus road meeting until after all those precious believers had been persecuted, because He saw good purpose in His timing, we can trust that He is able, His perfect timing, His perfect and purposeful plan, and His power of Resurrection!
I noticed how they were kind of answering each other as we went along with the reading, but as soon as he mentions Job,
I was
Like, “Yes! That makes so much sense now!!!”
11 As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
19 My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, 20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.
Praying so hard that He would help me to persevere, and that He would help me love Him enough to be bold in speaking the truth in love, that I would value righteousness and hate sin as He does so that turning a sinner from the error of their way would be more important to me than someone being happy with me, or keeping the peace!
Both these readings in Job and James remind me of the ten years I cried out to God for another child. I had one child and numerous miscarriages. It was an awful ten years of longing, but I wouldn’t trade a day of it. One day while in choir, a man who happened to be a doctor, overheard my complaint and referred me to a specialist. I hesitantly went to him because my thoughts were that if God wanted me to get pregnant He would allow it. The doctor was a Christian who reminded me of how I got to him in the first place. He said that he had been granted this gift of knowledge by God and convinced me to allow him to help. Through all natural means, I was pregnant within three months. I now have a beautiful 15 year old that is growing to be a godly young lady. I patiently waited 10 years, and I allowed a doctor with godly wisdom to correct my physical issue. In James’ time, they did not have that resource. I think God expects us to pray for healing, but he has also provided physicians to help Him do His work. So Suzy, as you are praying, make sure you are listening for His direction. I almost missed out on an amazing blessing!
7 “At least there is hope for a tree:
If it is cut down, it will sprout again,
and its new shoots will not fail.
8 Its roots may grow old in the ground
and its stump die in the soil,
9 yet at the scent of water it will bud
and put forth shoots like a plant.
We have been likened to trees (other than sheep) and I love how encouraging it is. You may have been cut down, you may think it’s too late but at the scent of God’s Word of living waters, you will bud again :)
I just love this!
Suzy, I see it differently. As far as calling to our father…you can’t hide from God, and whatever is brewing in your heart, well is brewing and evident by God! I think the attitude of Job wasn’t calling out against him…just being honest! And his friends were showing what was in their hearts too. God says he looks at our hearts, verses the outer appearance. As far as the doctor comment, I echo Lauren’s point. God teaches to be diligent & wise! Pray for wisdom but then act… I don’t have medical insurance but because of a condition I have, I found natural remedies! Garlic for example can do wonders! There are certain things however that only advanced medicine can do wonders… Just my take on it.
I think it is important to realize the difference between calling out to our Father and calling out against Him. Job and his friends show this well. Also I like how Job is mentioned in James today. I think we should also look at the fact that in James it says if we r sick we should pray…not seek out doctors. Pray first and then seek out doctors if so lead to.
Suzy, that is an incredibly dangerous line of thinking. God has given us knowledge for a reason, and thank God we no longer live in fear of death by many diseases that killed people every day. Even childbirth in no longer the uncertain death sentence – a hundred years ago, I would have died in birth along with my son. If you are ill, go to the doctor! If you have children who are ill, go to the doctor! James doesn’t say ‘don’t go to the doctor, pray instead’, but that we should pray over people who are ill – which of course we should!
We should always be praying, but prayer and medicine are NOT mutually exclusive. Please don’t believe that lie – Satan rejoices when people perish when they could live to lead to salvation or to be saved.
Sarah, I too am in a moment of waiting and I find comfort in your comment. thanks for sharing! I feel as if when moments like these arise I slowly fall out of reach. perseverance perseverance perseverance!
James 5:11 – feel like I’m reading the last chapter of a book! Reading Job – still in the midst of his pain and loss. Yet this verse tells the end of the story. “You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful”. There’s a good ending ahead! Hang in there
One of my most favorite things about the Bible is that it all ties back to the other parts. To see James refer and point people back to job is incredible or to read job discussing God and creation. I love that Scripture supports itself and never turns against itself. How great are the words of our God and the men He used to own them.
16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
God hears our prayers. Christian community is so important!
One of the most comforting things that I get from Job is that it is okay to be completely honest and open with God. We can be sad and angry about something. Our emotions are not in and of themselves sinful. God sees us so clearly and He wants us to be honest with Him. Job questions God but never questions His authority. I am in a season of waiting right now. And sometimes I feel like it’s wrong for me to be sad about that– all in God’s timing, right? But I can still be sad and come to God with that. I did that this morning and He comforted me with James 5:11. I will be thankful when the waiting is over, but I am also thankful for this season of waiting when I can rely on the Lord to help me persevere.
Definitely a great take Sarah! I love the brutal honesty displayed by Job. God will carry us through our individual seasons… We are human, so it is okay to be sad…yet, as you noted, scripture can refocus our thoughts & direction, even when feeling sad!
Yes! And I’m comforted by David for the same reason. He was often angry and discouraged and exhausted, but he gave it all to God, and God calls him a man after His own heart. What a great description!
I am in a hard season myself. It’s crazy how my emotions fluctuate between praise and joy to fear and discouragement! It is definitely comforting to know we have a God who understands and lets us cry out to him in our pain.
Thanks for this post, Sarah! It’s so true. I need to get better at being open and honest with God. My husband and I are in a time of transition right now and waiting to find out what is gonna happen is so hard, but we know that God will ultimately reveal His plan for this next chapter of our lives.
Sarah I agree with your sentiments exactly. I also feel at times that I’m not “allowed” to be sad/mad/frustrated with my situation because if God has allowed it, then it’s His plan! I find comfort in Job’s utter honesty with God. Thanks for your insight.
Job is one of the most challenging books of the OT for me to read. I took a class on it in college but still, when I read it I’m not sure what to apply but I think James says it perfectly: “See, we count as blessed those who have endured. You have heard of Job’s endurance and have seen the outcome from the Lord. The Lord is very compassionate and merciful.” Endure, be patient and pray to God. That is what Job is about.
this is very helpful to me, so thank you, Grace! there’s just so much text to sort through and I felt confused at the end of this days’ reading. “The Lord is very compassionate and merciful” indeed!
Anne-Marie,
It helps me to look at James in light of the other truths of scripture. James is not arguing for a works based salvation but, arguing what the book of 2 Corinthians says, “behold we are a new creation. The old has passed away, the new has come.” If therefore we are a new creation, should not our actions match that truth? We are no longer slaves to sin (Romans 6), but are slaves to righteousness. Works are evidence of salvation in a person. Works are the reflection of the character of God being displayed and worked out in us. Paul even tells us in Philippians to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, and in Colossians 3 to put on the works of the spirit. We have not be saved as a license to
Job’s place in these chapters is unimaginable, and yet my heart wants to quickly weigh his strong words about the Lord’s actions against the benefit of hindsight. As I was reading his accusations toward the Lord, I found my heart echoing that of his friend,
12 Why has your heart carried you away,
and why do your eyes flash,
13 so that you vent your rage against God
and pour out such words from your mouth?
…Job, how could you say such things about the Lord?
And yet, at the end of Job’s discourse, the true depths of his heart were revealed. His refrain again turned back to this: a steadfast and unquenchable longing for the One to come.
19 Even now my witness is in heaven;
my advocate is on high.
20 My intercessor is my friend
as my eyes pour out tears to God;
21 on behalf of a man he pleads with God
as one pleads for a friend.
Although Job’s heart might have been questioning the Father’s intentions, he truly longed for the Promised One who would reveal to the world the true character of the Father.
Through examination of James, we can see in hindsight that the Father is the only one who knew both His own heart and the heart of Job in perfect wholeness.
11 As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
The Lord saw Job’s faithful perseverance and heard his questions. The Lord knew Job’s ever-deeper longing for the One to come. And finally, the Lord knew His own longing of compassion and mercy toward Job that would ultimately reveal His heart and be the story’s true end.
Well said! I struggle sometimes with the duplicity of some of Job’s words… He is crying and beat down but in the end, he never wanders from this TRUTH: God is Sovereign!
19 Even now my witness is in heaven,
and my advocate is in the heights!
20 My friends scoff at me
as I weep before God.
21 I wish that someone might arbitrate
between a man and God
just as a man pleads for his friend.
Oh wow!! Just the beauty of the Gospel all throughout the Scriptures!! How beautiful and merciful and amazing is our LORD Most High! Just the forshadow of Him, even in the OT!! Wow!! Alleluia!!
In James: This is an odd book for me to read, because I feel a very “works based” theme in James. Perhaps I am looking at it all wrong? I do see that faith without works is dead-agree with that wholeheartedly- but vs 19 had me thinking. I don’t want to apply it wrong. Any advice on James, sisters?
James can feel that way out of context. But read it with the ideas of Paul and recognize that James was written as a much more practical how to sort of book for people asking what Paul’s ideas would look like. Just like we do sometimes
James is telling us that we have a responsibility as Christians to help the backsliders come back to Jesus! We ourselves don’t “save” them, but through prayer, acting in love, and merely going to them, we are being Jesus’ feet on earth!
After reading the study notes in my Bible on James 5:19-20, I feel like he is saying that as believers if one of our fellow believers is having a hard time and maybe “wandered” away from God it’s our job to encourage them to come back and be reconciled to God. We’re not saving them cuz only God can do that. We’re encouraging them to keep up the faith and get back on the right track spiritually.
Notice that the attention does not remain on the person who brings the wanderer back but shifts to the result — that the wanderer will be saved from death! So the focus is not on the one helps the wanderer (the one who performed the “work,”) but instead on the glorious return of the wanderer back into the light! That’s just my two cents :)
Job 21 “O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbour!” Good news Job He is coming! One that is better than any friend we have ever had, one that will intercede with the Father on our behalf, one that will give His own life for our sins!!!
Job thinks God shriveled him up and assailed him. “All was well with me, but he shattered me…” Job 16:12. And we read Jam 5:11 – Count as blessed those like Job who persevered. I cannot evaluate my story by what has happened to me, where God has left me suffering. God ordains
19 Even now my witness is in heaven;
my advocate is on high.
20 My intercessor is my friend
as my eyes pour out tears to God;
21 on behalf of a man he pleads with God
as one pleads for a friend.
I’m not sure who Job is talking about here??? But my goodness these words fit our Lord Jesus perfectly!!! He is our witness, intercessor, dearest FRIEND!! I want to put up these words where I can read then regularly and speak them out loud next time Satan comes and whispers in my ears to accuse me of my unworthiness and sin. I have an advocate!
I see so much foreshadowing of the New Testament promises! 14:14-17… can the dead live again… you would cover my guilt… It all whispers the coming Saviour in a way I haven’t seen before!
I’ve always understood the plea for an intercessor as a reference to Christ – the whole Bible whispers his name, as my sons Jesus storybook Bible says. :)
I’m really enjoying the connection between the Old Testament and New as shown by this reading plan. It is so encouraging how both readings seem to align each day. God’s word is definitely living and active today!
Yes! I, too, am happy to see these aligned. Haven’t read through the Bible like this before. Other plans just go from Gen-Rev without using parallels or cross referencing. It adds great understanding.
It takes 30 days to make a habit. We did it! Keep going y’all!
Very cool to read James In parallel where it mentions Job
16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. – James 5:16
The word of Job can be difficult, but it really is absolutely beautiful
I agree I’ve been enjoying James and Job is more difficult.
Reference to Job in James 11:5 – I think that’s really at the heart of Job – he never backed down – remained true in the midst of Satan’s trials and even with terrible help from his friends
I agree I’ve been enjoying James and Job is more difficult.
7 “For there is hope for a tree,
if it be cut down, that it will sprout again,
and that its shoots will not cease. – Job 14:7
Agree and so glad I’m not the only one.
“Don’t grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. For look—the Judge is standing at the door!”
James 5:9 NLT
the Lord is the only judge. we are to love each other.
i love how in James it used Job as an example of someone who was patient in suffering. I’m still trying to understand Job but from all that i’ve been reading Job suffered a lot. James reminds us that we need to be patient as we wait on the Lord. It talked about farmers who wait for the rain to come in the fall and the spring. “You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.”
James 5:8 NLT
I feel you. Maybe you could use blue letter bible. It is a great resource! Or a youth version. ❤️
5 Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with thee, thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass; – Job 14:5
I love the importance of prayer in this section of James!
Love the book of James but Job is a struggle to read
7 Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. 8 You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. – James 5:7-8
❤️
❤️
I needed this reading today. Job never gave up his Faith with God even though he suffered so badly. James is a great way to understand Job and how we are to love one another and not judge. Forgive me of my judgments Lord. Help me not to judge. Only You do that.
Especially in light of James 5:19-20, as I read Job’s “friends’” proclamations, I realize it is our job only and always to look to and point to Christ as we evaluate our circumstances and those of our friends. Do we trust the Holy Spirit to do His work?
Lord, please forgive me for when I sin and wander from you. Help me to follow and obey you. Allow me to live in such a way that I am used through you to shine your light. Use me Lord, thank you. In Jesus name, Amen
❤️
It’s a more modern day language translation of the Bible by Eugene Peterson. I had to switch from ESV to the message for Job as well.
Loved today’s readings
Today’s reading was a good reminder to hold steadfast in my love and belief for God
❤️
✔️
✅
James 5:19-20 – My dear friends, if you know people who have wandered off from God’s truth, don’t write them off. Go after them. Get them back and you will have rescued precious lives from destruction and prevented an epidemic of wandering away from God.
Pray for me as I try to help my mom see the truth. She has wandered off and needs prayer and the Holy Spirit to gently woo her back.
✅
One month down! We got this ladies! I’m loving the Job readings and loved all of James!
Love these reminders!!
On this 30 th day of reading God says to have patience in our hard times and that the prayers of a righteous man accomplishes much : when the disciple was locked up in the prison , angels were dispatched to save him on the first day but doubt stopped the answer from coming right away . The journey of Moses to the promise land was a short distance however due to their doubt they wandered for forty years until they were spiritually able to receive it and yet the lord was faithful and fed them manna from on high and water from the stone and allowed them to cross the Red Sea on dry land . He was their provider back then as he is ours today . Trust in he who never fails . He loves us everyone . Praise God in the highest for he is worthy to be praised . This is the day that the lord has made and I will rejoice and be glad in it ,
Struggling now to be patient and persevere in the midst of making a decision that feels wrong according to what the world tells me but right according to what God tells me. I pray that the Lord will show compassion and mercy and intercede on my behalf.
Day 30! ✔️❤️
I feel like reading Job even in CSB really helps me.. if any of you were struggling with it like I am :)
I think I need to try that!
8 “You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.” -ellie
May we be steadfast in the Lord for He is indeed compassionate and loving.
What is the message version? I’m seeing a lot of comments about it helping with reading Job. I really love the passages from James we have been reading!
Day 30
19Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven,
and he who testifies for me is on high.
This translation does not use Advocate but such a neat foreshadowing of Christ our advocate and mediator.
Something confusing in the Bible to me is when people are talked about as being “blameless” or “innocent.” The only one who was ever blameless was Jesus, so what does this mean? Job’s sins were less than others making him blameless in comparison?
I agree with you Haley. I’ve also wondered about what this means!
Christina I have struggled with this myself. Then I started to feel that generally when I see that written, it is in the Old Testament, before the birth of Christ. Do you think that is why we see the error in those words?
It’s just like saying they are righteous. And yes, there is none righteous, not even one. The only One who is pure and righteous is Jesus. However, just like with Abraham, he believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness. So I think when they are talking about being blameless and pure or innocent, they are talking about their faith before God. Because Job did sin, as did his children which is why he was always offering up sacrifices. He was always trying to make things right with God. He believed God and had great faith, making him righteous.
That helps, thanks Chelsey!
He was blameless because of his faith, just like we are. We are imputed with Jesus’ righteousness when we put our faith in him. ❤️
I’m reading Job by singing it to the tune of Hamilton songs in my head.
The Star Trek score is great also, Kirk’s theme is cool, the title theme is beautiful, although I missed the fanfare.
http://www.edsheeran.co.uk
In Job 16: 11-14, Job describes with gut-wrenching imagery how he feels attacked by God (“He seized me by the neck and dashed me to pieces”). He doesn’t hold any of his feelings back. However, there’s an awesome parallel in James 5:7-11 where we’re told to be patient and steadfast like Job, and where we’re reminded of how purposeful, compassionate, and merciful God is. Even when things really suck, He is good.
Job 16: 20 “My intercessor is my friend
as my eyes pour out tears to God;
21 on behalf of a man he pleads with God
as one pleads for a friend.” This is Jesus!
❤
In the midst of emotions and circumstances that may lead to decay within the soul…Lord help me be encouraged by the honest words of a man who lost what the world knows as everything. Material possessions, relationships, and health. It all seemed a mess. Job longs for something greater. Renewal, refreshment, cleansing, and relationship. The image of the trees and the water running over rocks gives me hope that however I see myself or my situation, there is always something greater. Christ Himself, who puts things in bags and revives things to life again. These words from the Bible are my seeds of hope today.
There is ALWAYS Hope! He made dry bones live and showed Ezekiel…He is not slow but He sees the bigger picture and just like He waited to give Saul the Damascus road meeting until after all those precious believers had been persecuted, because He saw good purpose in His timing, we can trust that He is able, His perfect timing, His perfect and purposeful plan, and His power of Resurrection!
Wow wow wow!!!! Thank you, Lord!!!!!!!!
First time ever seeing the connection between Job and James. The Word is SO ALIVE ladies!!!!
YES! Praise God!!!
Same! So many good things to take in!
I noticed how they were kind of answering each other as we went along with the reading, but as soon as he mentions Job,
I was
Like, “Yes! That makes so much sense now!!!”
11 As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
19 My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, 20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.
Praying so hard that He would help me to persevere, and that He would help me love Him enough to be bold in speaking the truth in love, that I would value righteousness and hate sin as He does so that turning a sinner from the error of their way would be more important to me than someone being happy with me, or keeping the peace!
Samesies Nadja! But I guess it’s better late than never! Lol
Any one else rushing to catch up like me?! :)
Yes:) slowly but surely
Oh yes. Haha I’m glad I’m not alone!
I’m not sure I’ll ever catch up but I am enjoying it all, none the less!! This plan is great!
Nadja, I am so enjoying reading this plan alongside you! Congrats on completing 30 days-that is HUGE!
xoxo-Kaitlin for SheReadsTruth
Don’t rush! Enjoy each reading and spend time on it! I know I struggle to do that sometimes!
Both these readings in Job and James remind me of the ten years I cried out to God for another child. I had one child and numerous miscarriages. It was an awful ten years of longing, but I wouldn’t trade a day of it. One day while in choir, a man who happened to be a doctor, overheard my complaint and referred me to a specialist. I hesitantly went to him because my thoughts were that if God wanted me to get pregnant He would allow it. The doctor was a Christian who reminded me of how I got to him in the first place. He said that he had been granted this gift of knowledge by God and convinced me to allow him to help. Through all natural means, I was pregnant within three months. I now have a beautiful 15 year old that is growing to be a godly young lady. I patiently waited 10 years, and I allowed a doctor with godly wisdom to correct my physical issue. In James’ time, they did not have that resource. I think God expects us to pray for healing, but he has also provided physicians to help Him do His work. So Suzy, as you are praying, make sure you are listening for His direction. I almost missed out on an amazing blessing!
That is Beautiful!!! Thank you for sharing!!
7 “At least there is hope for a tree:
If it is cut down, it will sprout again,
and its new shoots will not fail.
8 Its roots may grow old in the ground
and its stump die in the soil,
9 yet at the scent of water it will bud
and put forth shoots like a plant.
We have been likened to trees (other than sheep) and I love how encouraging it is. You may have been cut down, you may think it’s too late but at the scent of God’s Word of living waters, you will bud again :)
I just love this!
Me too, something I need to hear.
So much wisdom in James, straight to the point and hits hard on the heart. I have a lot of praying and pondering to do!
Suzy, I see it differently. As far as calling to our father…you can’t hide from God, and whatever is brewing in your heart, well is brewing and evident by God! I think the attitude of Job wasn’t calling out against him…just being honest! And his friends were showing what was in their hearts too. God says he looks at our hearts, verses the outer appearance. As far as the doctor comment, I echo Lauren’s point. God teaches to be diligent & wise! Pray for wisdom but then act… I don’t have medical insurance but because of a condition I have, I found natural remedies! Garlic for example can do wonders! There are certain things however that only advanced medicine can do wonders… Just my take on it.
I think it is important to realize the difference between calling out to our Father and calling out against Him. Job and his friends show this well. Also I like how Job is mentioned in James today. I think we should also look at the fact that in James it says if we r sick we should pray…not seek out doctors. Pray first and then seek out doctors if so lead to.
Suzy, that is an incredibly dangerous line of thinking. God has given us knowledge for a reason, and thank God we no longer live in fear of death by many diseases that killed people every day. Even childbirth in no longer the uncertain death sentence – a hundred years ago, I would have died in birth along with my son. If you are ill, go to the doctor! If you have children who are ill, go to the doctor! James doesn’t say ‘don’t go to the doctor, pray instead’, but that we should pray over people who are ill – which of course we should!
We should always be praying, but prayer and medicine are NOT mutually exclusive. Please don’t believe that lie – Satan rejoices when people perish when they could live to lead to salvation or to be saved.
Amen, Lauren.
Sarah, I too am in a moment of waiting and I find comfort in your comment. thanks for sharing! I feel as if when moments like these arise I slowly fall out of reach. perseverance perseverance perseverance!
James 5:11 – feel like I’m reading the last chapter of a book! Reading Job – still in the midst of his pain and loss. Yet this verse tells the end of the story. “You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful”. There’s a good ending ahead! Hang in there
Reading through James has been so humbling. So many bold reminders. Actually sad that James is over. Looking forward to Galatians!
Yes – so much wisdom
Me too, I’ve never read Galatians. Just bits and pieces when I look up verses during a study.
One of my most favorite things about the Bible is that it all ties back to the other parts. To see James refer and point people back to job is incredible or to read job discussing God and creation. I love that Scripture supports itself and never turns against itself. How great are the words of our God and the men He used to own them.
I love Job (don’t worry ladies, I know he is dead
16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
God hears our prayers. Christian community is so important!
One of the most comforting things that I get from Job is that it is okay to be completely honest and open with God. We can be sad and angry about something. Our emotions are not in and of themselves sinful. God sees us so clearly and He wants us to be honest with Him. Job questions God but never questions His authority. I am in a season of waiting right now. And sometimes I feel like it’s wrong for me to be sad about that– all in God’s timing, right? But I can still be sad and come to God with that. I did that this morning and He comforted me with James 5:11. I will be thankful when the waiting is over, but I am also thankful for this season of waiting when I can rely on the Lord to help me persevere.
Definitely a great take Sarah! I love the brutal honesty displayed by Job. God will carry us through our individual seasons… We are human, so it is okay to be sad…yet, as you noted, scripture can refocus our thoughts & direction, even when feeling sad!
Yes! And I’m comforted by David for the same reason. He was often angry and discouraged and exhausted, but he gave it all to God, and God calls him a man after His own heart. What a great description!
Thank you for sharing Sarah. I too am in a season of waiting. It can be so hard not to compare my life to others.
I am in a hard season myself. It’s crazy how my emotions fluctuate between praise and joy to fear and discouragement! It is definitely comforting to know we have a God who understands and lets us cry out to him in our pain.
Thanks for this post, Sarah! It’s so true. I need to get better at being open and honest with God. My husband and I are in a time of transition right now and waiting to find out what is gonna happen is so hard, but we know that God will ultimately reveal His plan for this next chapter of our lives.
Sarah I agree with your sentiments exactly. I also feel at times that I’m not “allowed” to be sad/mad/frustrated with my situation because if God has allowed it, then it’s His plan! I find comfort in Job’s utter honesty with God. Thanks for your insight.
God’s time is not our time! I’m waiting too! :/ Sometimes is hard, but Job teaches us to be patient and to pray! And God is good ;)
Job is one of the most challenging books of the OT for me to read. I took a class on it in college but still, when I read it I’m not sure what to apply but I think James says it perfectly: “See, we count as blessed those who have endured. You have heard of Job’s endurance and have seen the outcome from the Lord. The Lord is very compassionate and merciful.” Endure, be patient and pray to God. That is what Job is about.
this is very helpful to me, so thank you, Grace! there’s just so much text to sort through and I felt confused at the end of this days’ reading. “The Lord is very compassionate and merciful” indeed!
Sin but to fulfill God’s kingdom work. I hope all that helps!!
Anne-Marie,
It helps me to look at James in light of the other truths of scripture. James is not arguing for a works based salvation but, arguing what the book of 2 Corinthians says, “behold we are a new creation. The old has passed away, the new has come.” If therefore we are a new creation, should not our actions match that truth? We are no longer slaves to sin (Romans 6), but are slaves to righteousness. Works are evidence of salvation in a person. Works are the reflection of the character of God being displayed and worked out in us. Paul even tells us in Philippians to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, and in Colossians 3 to put on the works of the spirit. We have not be saved as a license to
Beautifully said.
Great way to put it! It’s not the work itself that saves us, the work is a reflection of our salvation! Beautiful
Things God ordains shatter our sins not ourselves Jam 5:11. Job 2:6. #submit #persevere #transformed
Job’s place in these chapters is unimaginable, and yet my heart wants to quickly weigh his strong words about the Lord’s actions against the benefit of hindsight. As I was reading his accusations toward the Lord, I found my heart echoing that of his friend,
12 Why has your heart carried you away,
and why do your eyes flash,
13 so that you vent your rage against God
and pour out such words from your mouth?
…Job, how could you say such things about the Lord?
And yet, at the end of Job’s discourse, the true depths of his heart were revealed. His refrain again turned back to this: a steadfast and unquenchable longing for the One to come.
19 Even now my witness is in heaven;
my advocate is on high.
20 My intercessor is my friend
as my eyes pour out tears to God;
21 on behalf of a man he pleads with God
as one pleads for a friend.
Although Job’s heart might have been questioning the Father’s intentions, he truly longed for the Promised One who would reveal to the world the true character of the Father.
Through examination of James, we can see in hindsight that the Father is the only one who knew both His own heart and the heart of Job in perfect wholeness.
11 As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
The Lord saw Job’s faithful perseverance and heard his questions. The Lord knew Job’s ever-deeper longing for the One to come. And finally, the Lord knew His own longing of compassion and mercy toward Job that would ultimately reveal His heart and be the story’s true end.
Love this!
Well said! I struggle sometimes with the duplicity of some of Job’s words… He is crying and beat down but in the end, he never wanders from this TRUTH: God is Sovereign!
Thank you for this. Really puts into perspective what one is to understand from reading these scriptures
19 Even now my witness is in heaven,
and my advocate is in the heights!
20 My friends scoff at me
as I weep before God.
21 I wish that someone might arbitrate
between a man and God
just as a man pleads for his friend.
Oh wow!! Just the beauty of the Gospel all throughout the Scriptures!! How beautiful and merciful and amazing is our LORD Most High! Just the forshadow of Him, even in the OT!! Wow!! Alleluia!!
In James: This is an odd book for me to read, because I feel a very “works based” theme in James. Perhaps I am looking at it all wrong? I do see that faith without works is dead-agree with that wholeheartedly- but vs 19 had me thinking. I don’t want to apply it wrong. Any advice on James, sisters?
James can feel that way out of context. But read it with the ideas of Paul and recognize that James was written as a much more practical how to sort of book for people asking what Paul’s ideas would look like. Just like we do sometimes
James is telling us that we have a responsibility as Christians to help the backsliders come back to Jesus! We ourselves don’t “save” them, but through prayer, acting in love, and merely going to them, we are being Jesus’ feet on earth!
After reading the study notes in my Bible on James 5:19-20, I feel like he is saying that as believers if one of our fellow believers is having a hard time and maybe “wandered” away from God it’s our job to encourage them to come back and be reconciled to God. We’re not saving them cuz only God can do that. We’re encouraging them to keep up the faith and get back on the right track spiritually.
James isn’t telling us that we are saved by our works, rather that our faith will give us a heart to serve and do these works.
Notice that the attention does not remain on the person who brings the wanderer back but shifts to the result — that the wanderer will be saved from death! So the focus is not on the one helps the wanderer (the one who performed the “work,”) but instead on the glorious return of the wanderer back into the light! That’s just my two cents :)
I like this!
Job 21 “O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbour!” Good news Job He is coming! One that is better than any friend we have ever had, one that will intercede with the Father on our behalf, one that will give His own life for our sins!!!
Job thinks God shriveled him up and assailed him. “All was well with me, but he shattered me…” Job 16:12. And we read Jam 5:11 – Count as blessed those like Job who persevered. I cannot evaluate my story by what has happened to me, where God has left me suffering. God ordains
Amen!
Yes indeed!
19 Even now my witness is in heaven;
my advocate is on high.
20 My intercessor is my friend
as my eyes pour out tears to God;
21 on behalf of a man he pleads with God
as one pleads for a friend.
I’m not sure who Job is talking about here??? But my goodness these words fit our Lord Jesus perfectly!!! He is our witness, intercessor, dearest FRIEND!! I want to put up these words where I can read then regularly and speak them out loud next time Satan comes and whispers in my ears to accuse me of my unworthiness and sin. I have an advocate!
I see so much foreshadowing of the New Testament promises! 14:14-17… can the dead live again… you would cover my guilt… It all whispers the coming Saviour in a way I haven’t seen before!
I had that exact same thought.
I’ve always understood the plea for an intercessor as a reference to Christ – the whole Bible whispers his name, as my sons Jesus storybook Bible says. :)
I think he is definitely talking about Jesus! Since we know Jesus has existed as part of the trinity from forever, way before he was born. :)
I’m really enjoying the connection between the Old Testament and New as shown by this reading plan. It is so encouraging how both readings seem to align each day. God’s word is definitely living and active today!
I so agree!! SRT writers thank you for placing connecting passages side by side.
Yes! I, too, am happy to see these aligned. Haven’t read through the Bible like this before. Other plans just go from Gen-Rev without using parallels or cross referencing. It adds great understanding.
Agreed!