“What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.”
James 2:14, 17 NLT
this faith will make us want to love others. to serve others. to grow the Kingdom. this faith will make us want to do all of these things and more.
there’s a lot to take from the reading today. you have job crying out to God. God knows exactly how job is feeling. God knows how we are feeling during the different trials we face. it’s good to have Godly people around you that pushes you in your trial to go talk to God like Eliphaz in job 5:8 ““If I were you, I would go to God and present my case to him.”
i love how job was open and honest with God. God already knew but He also wants to hear it from us.
The favoritism verses hit home. Total conviction. I have felt a negative shift in my mindset lately regarding this and this morning received the conviction and humility I’ve been praying for. Praise God for His timing, His correcting love, and for His mercy being new every morning!
I have seen so many people say “Look at at all the good I’m doing”. That’s all well and good, but without trust and faith in the Lord it’s nothing. May we be kind and not judgmental.
I love how honest and real Job was with the Lord. He did not go to the Lord trying to be perfect and say the right words. He told God how he felt and what he was dealing with because he knew God would not judge him and turn away from him. Let’s decide to love our neighbors so much that they don’t feel seeking help from us it’s just us judging them
I have read both passages several times, but never together, and they are so linked by showing kindness to our neighbors, not judging, being merciful, and these are just the obvious ways. So much more packed in to these passages that I need to dig deeper. Faith without works is useless! And mercy always wins! Kindness is a forgotten art, sadly, even in the Christian community. We need to restore kindness and show the love of Jesus now more than ever!
From Job 5
17“Behold, blessed is the one whom God reproves;
therefore despise not the discipline of the Almighty.
18For he wounds, but he binds up;
he shatters, but his hands heal.”
I find such comfort in these words. The consequences of my actions are not the end of the story, but the growing grounds for His discipline and mercy and intervention to restore truth in my heart and shape it into His likeness. I’m praising Him today for caring enough about my heart to meet me with mercy!
Just reflecting on James 2:14-17 and wondering this: few of us in the west have friends in literal rags and starving. So it can be kind of easy to acknowledge and then gloss over that part. We may have friends who are in poverty or going through a financially challenging time. In which case, we can take this part literally. But, if this chapter were written today, what example might James have used instead? Could our half starved/rags friends also be the people in our lives who are emotionally half starved or wearing rags of shame in their lives? What are your interpretations/am I overthinking it?
This is a great thought. When James refers to a brother or sister that can mean anyone—not just a friend. The reality is there are people all around us struggling financially. I think the passage is focusing on the poor but definitely the poor in spirit can be read into it!
7“Remember that my life is a breath;
my eye will never again see good.
8The eye of him who sees me will behold me no more;
while your eyes are on me, I shall be gone.
9As the cloud fades and vanishes,
so he who goes down to Sheol does not come up;
10he returns no more to his house,
nor does his place know him anymore.
Plane Crash ♥️
God, reveal yourself to me. Reveal yourself. Show me you are here.
“Behold, how happy is the man whom God reproves,
So do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.
“Do you intend to reprove my words,
When the words of one in despair belong to the wind?
I must consider the one speaking as I listen, stop reproving those in despair, that’s God’s job.
I like at the beginning of James how he explains favoritism like this: “when you show favoritism you become a judge with evil thoughts.” That’s for sure what’s happening in all of our heads! We must remember that all of our sin is equal, even if it feels like one person is better than another.
James 2:13 – “because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” Such a good reminder for me to show grace towards others. At times. I struggle with even being tolerant of others. But to be Christ-like is to live by mercy, grace and love.
A reminder that studying the Bible is not for the head/ mind but for the heart. For out of the heart flows everything else: speech, actions and attitudes. Faith and knowledge mean nothing if we don’t intentionally allow Him to transform us as we seek to live out His truth. We are called to be salt and light in our world even through our most difficult days (Job did not sin in his struggles). We are to be the hands and feet of Christ. He showed us how to love and forgive. Now it is our turn in His strength through power of the Holy Spirit. We have accessible an endless abundance of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control through you. No excuses.
Lord Jesus,
Change my heart to reflect you. Soften my heart and mind to see you and your will for my responses to all circumstances. Forgive me of my ingrown eyeballitis- where my focus stays on myself and my comfort instead of you and others. Use my voice, hands, feet, mind, gifts… I am yours. Help me to be willing to be inconvenienced, to sacrifice, to swallow my pride, to keep my mouth shut, to change. Use me to make an impact.
Thank you, Lord, for your plans. Thank you for your extreme example of love. Thank you for your willingness to use me despite me. Thank you for your forgiveness and grace. Help me to pay this forward to others.
Amen
Thank you for this Amy. Your words echo my heart. Praying for a full transformation as we seek Him with ALL of our hearts, souls, and minds and serve Him with our Whole beings!
Job 5:7, 8 Born to trouble as sparks fly upward. As for me I will seek God and commit my cause. Am I always trying to reverse my troubles of loss and cancer and rape and abuse. May I seek God in the midst and commit causes to His Providential Hand.
I’m here too, I see so much of myself in Job asking why for years I asked why but now reading has shown me some of the why’s, (sin, selfishness, unforgiving, and jealousy) I’ve been cleaning my garden and with this app and daily devotional I’ve been planting new seeds. Now I need to start watering my garden by walk the walk. Thankful my new life and everyone insights and encouragement.
I feel like James 2:24-26 was talking right to me: “you see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone…As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.”
Just because I read my Bible everyday and study the word, it doesn’t mean that I’m a “good” person. I have to use the word in my life to show others God in me. I can talk the talk but I also have to walk the walk. It’s easy to say I am a Christian but actually acting like God is a whole other story. How can I expect people to see God through me if I do not act the part? I must use the word, not only in private study time, but in my public life as well if I want to truly show the world God is in me.
This is exactly what I’ve been thinking about! I know I don’t show love to people the way that I should. I want to be a loving, gracious person who shines Christ’s light!
I was thinking the same thing. Good thing we are not alone- it’s comforting to know I’m not the only one going through this. I pray to be a good example of Christ so others can believe!!
I’m reading through for a second time. I enjoy reading everyone’s comments and I get so much encouragement knowing that I’m not doing this alone. Blessings to you all!
It didn’t look like many recent comments have been made, so I’m just checking in saying I’m still here. Grateful for a reading plan. It does make me dig deeper because it’s not always easy to understand. But I’m still here and want to encourage anybody out there to keep going with me!
My Pastor was explaining in his sermon last night how James 2 is not saying we are saved but works, or have a works-based faith, but rather that we have an obedience-based relationship with the lord that pushes us to do good works as we strive to obey every command of the Lord, as children strive to obey the fathers they love
I didn’t interpret it as works based-faith. But faith as in believing in Christ and works as in picking up your cross to follow. Living the life by what you say you believe. If God tells you to leave your job and you don’t how is that faith? If God tells you to help out a friend and you hold tight to your money how is that faith? Obedience through works of faith produce fruit. We struggle because we can’t see and often times Satan creates an illusion of “reality” and that we are in control.
I have been recently been going through some tough times a and reading the story of Job has been such a blessing! Here is a man who has truly suffered BUT still keeps faith in God. I am reminded that even the ought my suffering, I still must cling on to him!
Tera, it’s awesome that you are getting exposed to the word of God! I promise you won’t be disappointed with what you find in this Holy book. It’s a beautiful story about how God redeems broken people who are wicked and have turned against him by sending his son to live perfectly on earth, only to be crucified and killed, and raised on the third day that our sins might be paid for and forgiven so that we could know him and be in relationship with him FOREVER. And the reason? Because he is only good wise and sovereign and he loves so dearly a people who are rebellious and arrogant. Every story that you read in this book is a shadow of this redeemer King to come, or an account of his life here on earth and how he commands us to live once we trust in him. I think it’s great that you’re following along with this plan, but if I could suggest something, I would recommend starting in John or Mark and reading all the way through those to get an idea of who Jesus is and what this good news is. Also it could be helpful to find some women in your area who are Christians and who can explain to you the teaching of the bible! This community is great but having women do life with you daily and explaining how to walk with God is even better. I am praying that the truth of God in Jesus is revealed to you and that your heart is forever changed by this marvelous news that flips the world upside down!!! Hope this helps girlie
I have been following aIong since Jan 1. I am doing every reading. And decided to give it a month till I ask for help. I am having so much trouble understanding up to this point. Some seem to click but for the most part I feel lost. I feel like it’s another language. I did not grow up in a church or with any teachings. So I am literally starting from the beginning. Can anyone shed some light on how I can understand this. I really NEED this. Thanks so much.
The Old Testament is tough, because there are so many things that make more sense if you have some background. I would suggest finding a local church. I have some connections around the states, if I can be of help, let me know.
Try changing your bible to The Message version. It was written to sound like more modern speak but they do verses in chunks. I’ve read the Bible my whole life but I still love this version.
Job 5: WOW! So inspiring & encouraging. It so perfectly encapsulates His might & Grace. It’s a great chapter for anyone feeling lonely or abandoned because it perfectly shows His might & encourages the reader that HE IS GOD!
8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.
We really need to work on loving others as ourselves. Not one person specifically but the whole world. Love is important.
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.
I really like how in James, the author uses the story of Abraham’s sacrifice to God as a story of faith by works/work by faith, and the fact that we as Christians can’t have one or the other; we must have both. The whole idea of that is something We can strive for: connecting faith and works in our everyday lives.
I read James a while back, and then started this plan “bible in a year” and it’s interesting re-reading James with new insight on who Abraham was!
Also–some questions. In job 7:11 it says: therefore I will not keep silent; I will speak out in the anguish of my spirit, I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.
What do you think is meant by “complain” here? To what extent should we complain when we pray? Should we complain when we pray? I always thought we shouldn’t..but job does here
Good questions, Bella! I don’t feel like we should complain at all! I think Job is in such despair that he is making excuses for his behavior, and his friends are in shock because he has been so faithful up to this point, and now he is doubting God and acting very “woe is me, why would God do this to me, waa waa waa.” As we read in James 1 yesterday: 2 “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” Unfortunately Job isn’t withstanding the test very well. God doesn’t give us trials to break us, but to make us STRONGER!
I don’t think that we are to complain, per say, but I think that one thing that Job does well that many Christians do not is that he is HONEST with God. He is honest with God that things are awful and that he is depressed and maybe even suicidal. It’s part of being human to experience some really awful things and to feel really awful about them. It’s OKAY to feel really awful. But it’s important to go to God and tell Him about how awful you’re feeling because ultimately, He will take better care of us than anyone or anything else ever could.
I feel like God is big enough for us to cry out to him-in all things! Even on the cross Jesus cried out “Father, why have you forsaken me”
There are no thoughts that we can hide from God so why they when you are broken hearted and in despair would you have to try to “be strong” or hide it from your Father? In the Psalms David cries out to the Lord many times and God calls him a man after my own heart. I think the big thing to remember is-we can ALWAYS cry out to the Lord in our troubles but we must always get to the…BUT GOD I will praise you for your glory. For God is Good!
I love these chapters with the dialogue between Job and his friends! His friends share wisdom with him and they all just talk things out. job is super transparent as he shares his feelings–this looks like a lot of me and my friends conversations sometimes!
Job is a little confusing to me. I can’t really tell when one conversation ends and another begins, or when the speaker changes from Job to one of his friends. Any chance one of y’all could explain it to me? This past passage was just really confusing to me today. James 2 made a lot of sense and I loved it, but Job 5-7 was harder for me to understand…I try to go slow when I read and really study the verses, but right now I’m at a loss. Any helpful advice would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Z! Each chapter appears to be one speaker, it doesn’t seem to go back and forth within each passage. Today was a little confusing, I agree, because Job 5 was a continuation of Eliphaz’s speech from yesterday’s reading (Job 4). Then Job 6 begins with “Job answered and said…” And his dialogue goes through chapter 7. I’ve found it helps to go back and read the last chapter of the previous reading to “refresh” my memory and what that particular speaker was saying. Hope this helps!
Hey Z – I’ve downloaded the Faith Life study bible app (it’s free) and when there are bits I don’t understand I read them in the study bible notes and it usually explains it to me. Hope thandjdjdjdjdjd
Job has always been a bit of a “task” for me to read, just going through chapter after chapter reading through the deep sorrow of his anguish. With his friends entering the story and going back and forth with him, it is, to me, a good example of how not to talk to someone in the midst of grief. They care for him, have good intentions, but don’t seem to make things any better. Personally, this example is one of the things I take away from the book of Job, which is such a fascinating story. Praise God in times of deep despair and sorrow, He is always there.
With the strifes going on in American culture, what struck me today about the passage in James was how favoritism is a synonym of racism. We tend to not think about it from that aspect but it really is having a favorite, treating a person differently because we favor one person over another for some reason. I don’t think that I’m racist, but if I look at it as favoritism, it might be easier for me to see the areas I do need to work on, since “favoritism” captures more angles of error than the term “racism” does.
Also, I liked how James pointed out that, in his example, the poor man who was being mistreated was of the people who had much faith, while the rich man who was given favor was of the people who were slandering Jesus name. Instead of being discerning about a person’s individual spiritual well being, the church that James was writing to was paying more attention to the worldly importances of wealth. So it’s also a reminder to us to check our judgments to see whether they are spiritual or worldly. Are we honoring people for their great faith in our God in spite of their circumstances, or are we honoring the people whom we are most comfortable with, but who don’t have spiritual triumphs we should be striving to imitate, just worldly (and ultimately pointless) triumphs…
I get confused as well. But here his friend was saying he was being judged bc he had sinned. We know that’s not the case and Job realizes this as well. He rebuked his friend for passing judgement on him.
So many times we will make excuses for why we go to these worldly things for comfort. I know I’ve been struggling with this and making excuses for myself saying well this is why.. And James 5 just really shows us, there’s no excuse to go to these things because God is the solution for everything. “If I were in your shoes, I’d go straight to God, I’d throw myself on the mercy of God.” That’s what we need to do when we see times of trouble instead of going to something or someone that might be comfort now but it won’t be the comfort and the peace that God gives that is true comfort and peace instead of situational comfort.
So many times we will make excuses for why we go to these worldly things for comfort. I know I’ve been struggling with this and making excuses for myself saying well this is why.. And James 5 just really shows us, there’s no excuse to go to these things because God is the solution for everything. “If I were in your shoes, I’d go straight to God, I’d throw myself on the mercy of God.” (The Message) That’s what we need to do when we see times of trouble instead of going to something or someone that might be comfort now but it won’t be the comfort and the peace that God gives that is true comfort and peace instead of situational comfort.
I love how real, honest and broken Job was before God. I relate to him in that he was bold in what he said out loud.. he didn’t worry about whether it was exactly the right thing to say or if it necessarily was true, he was just speaking his heart to God. So often I think I have to “practice my prayer” before I fumble over my words and actually pray them to the Lord. I think I have to say all the doctrinally correct things and I forget that God is my Comforter. He wants me to come to him honestly and vulnerable. He wants to hear exactly how I’m feeling and meet me right there in my mess and brokenness. Job is a beautiful picture of being honest and open and letting God pick up his broken pieces. He doesn’t try to put it all together himself first.. he just comes, right where he’s at.
9 He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed,
miracles that cannot be counted.
10 He provides rain for the earth;
he sends water on the countryside.
11 The lowly he sets on high,
and those who mourn are lifted to safety.
12 He thwarts the plans of the crafty,
so that their hands achieve no success.
This part of scripture is such a good reminder of Gods love and how much he does for us. We are all truly blessed. I need to practice recognizing it more and remembering to pause and feel Gods love!
8 “But if I were you, I would appeal to God;
I would lay my cause before him.
9 He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed,
miracles that cannot be counted.
Cannot be FATHOMED. our God is truly amazing. I’m continuously amazed by his works.
I was so struck by this passage this morning, I went back and read it twice. We have nothing to fear becuase God has already seen it all and provided our relief. It’s ours to believe and accept it. He asks for nothing more in return. What a mighty God we serve!
James 2 is very convicting to me. As a busy college kid, I find it so hard to find time to get into the community and places where I can serve the poor. But I do keep thinking: am I bearing fruit? Is my faith being used on someone else for good? I pray for opportunities and discernment to know how God wants me to act and serve!
God can use you in situations that aren’t working with the poor! We all have different areas where he wants to use us. Praying for discernment and opportunity us so important… And being aware of them when presented to you. This is definitely something I need to work on!
Consider the little things that you can do on your campus to show Gods love. Smile. Ask genuinely how people are. Talk about the joy you have in Jesus. Pay it forward. There are so many small ways to show the love of God on a campus even in a busy life!
I liked the follow up verse that said I’ll show you my faith by showing my deeds. I think this is something that many people struggle with- is it faith or works that saves me? Showing my faith by showing my deeds explains it so well that your deeds are a clear reflection if your faith!! I really liked this!
There is a whole section about favoritism in James and I never realized how important it was to not show it! We are essentially making ourselves God when judge people and that is not our job – our job is to be merciful!! That really convicted me! (James 2:1-13)
I was thinking about the favoritism part on a comfort level. That sometimes not realizing I will be nice to the “poor person” but will be more comfortable with the “rich person” and not meaning to show favoritism in my niceness. I might invite the “rich person” to my home, out for lunch or a kid play date, would be nice to the “poor person” and probably would not extend the other offers.
Definitely something to think about that has popped into my mind reading Job… Is I wonder how the words of his friends affected the words Job said. Here his friends thought they were helping when quite possibly and most likely God was less glorified because it took Job’s eyes off the Lord and praising him despite his circumstances. I am very guilty of this as my gift is not so much mercy and compassion but exhortation… So makes me wonder how many times I have actually turned people away from what they were to be doing because I thought what I said was biblical.
I was thinking the same thing. I really good at speaking the truth but not always the truth in love. I guess we both looked in the mirror, now we have to remember what we saw and do better next time! Thanks for sharing your heart.
In Job 7: 16-21 my heart aches for him. His testing is so hard. Yet is because of his goodness that God chose him to teach Satan a lesson. Will I ever reach that point in my life where God looks upon me with such favor? Will I ever be that spiritually mature? Job was chosen because he was faithful to a point where God trusted him with the most horrible suffering, to still be faithful to him. No matter what. Awe-inspiring!!
Wow I never really connected that… The Lord knew Job and the strength he had in God to be able to be used to teach Satan a lesson. Does make you wonder if God could say the same for us huh..
Wow Roslyn I love how you wrote that. “Will I ever reach that point in my life where God looks upon me with such favor” When we read Job and all his trials we often forget that God picked him out as being righteous in a sea of people. God chose him! Love that view point
James 2:10 “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all”. Even on my best day I can’t keep the whole law. Especially when the NT says that if your thoughts dwell on a sin you are just as guilty as if you had committed it. And, invariably, on the days that I try SO HARD to prove that I can do it … those are the days that I fall the hardest. I cannot do this. It is so far above my ability. And even my will, if I’m really honest about it. I know what the right thing is. I can’t claim ignorance. But I don’t want it. So I don’t choose it. How frustrating
I struggle with the same thing. And it’s so hard for me! There is a special kind of punishment for those who know what the right thing to do is, but ignore it and still do wrong. It’s actually a very bad habit that has been taking me a while to overcome.
I think none of us can do the right thing, not in our strength. But if we stop trying to do it on our own, but instead leaning in to God’s strength, power and grace it’s possible. It can still be a struggle, but i have been able to overcome sins that I thought was imposssible to overcome when I admitted that I couldn’t do it on my own and asked God for help instead
Antimony I think you are verbalizing a struggle that many of us feel. My only consolation is that we are in good company with Paul when he writes, “For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.” (Romans 7:19 NIV) and follows to say how he feels a prisoner to his mind and flesh waging war on each other because of this struggle! I just read the last half of Romans 7 and into 8 and it was so much more illuminating to me after this!
Yes! I don’t think anyone is capable of keeping the whole law. We are too broken and human. But remember “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:23-24) He came to pay for all our sins and shortcomings! God so loved the world, He sent His son to die for us, so that we don’t have to be forever plagued by this feeling of dread. We are redeemed!
5:17 “Behold, how happy is the man whom God reproves, So do not despise the discipline of the Almighty”. Once again, there is truth to this … but it’s not really appropriate in context. I’m sure his friends wanted to help. But they assumed things they should not have assumed! God was using Job’s life as an example of faithfulness in incredibly difficult circumstances. Not as an example of God’s punishment of secret sin.
Antimony, that’s what I have been thinking too. Some of what Job’s friends say is true, but not appropriate for Job’s situation. Very interesting that we could speak something true to a grieving friend yet it may be something that doesn’t apply to their situation. I pray for wisdom and guarding of my tongue!
This kind of made me giggle – 6 “Can something tasteless be eaten without salt,
Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?
7 “My soul refuses to touch them;
They are like loathsome food to me.” Job gets it! Hehe. But in all seriousness I was so convicted by this passage seeing the foolishness of Job’s friends, being so quick to speak or judge or explain the situation. When someone is in deep despair like that nothing can comfort them but Jesus himself and I need to be the friend who lovingly and gently points them to Him. (And keeps my big mouth shut!)
Born in sin. Born “to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward.” Job 5:7. May “Mercy triumph over judgment” of Job, over judgment of my family, over judgment of my friends. Jam 2:13. Wrestle well, Job. We can hear you shouting now in your overwhelming pain. Have mercy on us all, O God!
I love that our SRT sisters paired Job with James. It is so important that we read the Old Testament through the lens of the New Testament. We see Job in such turmoil and sadness… then we read “consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, when you face trials of many kinds” (James 1:2). We read how the first words given to Job by his friends are words filled with judgment… Then we read “mercy triumphs over judgment” (james2:13). May we not be so quick to judge Job’s friends and see this sin in our own hearts!! Lord, fill us with your mercy so that we can extend mercy to others!
Yes! It’s kind of rocking my world- this pairing of Job and James. Mostly because it’s challenging me in my role as a friend to someone experiencing tragedy (or any life situation, really). I know I need to meet them in their grief and comfort them, but that seems awkward and messy and hard. But James reminds us that if we know something, we need to act on it. How we love others is a direct reflection of how we love Jesus. Anyone feeling super challenged by these correlating passages?
Yes! I think the works that James refers to are direct results of our faith and love for God. Not works that try to earn favor or even salvation. When we are truly loving God and people, our “works” are apparent. We will be known by our fruit.
I have trouble seeing things too. That’s why I think this discussion is so useful. It helps to talk and get others perspectives. Interpreting the bible takes practice… The more we read the more we understand. It’s a struggle for me too sometimes.
Job is a tough read. If I find myself wondering, that is past anything I am reading, I try to focus back to a verse that God is revealing for myself, for today. And sometimes, while it seems I am not retaining anything, I find myself months later pondering on something I read because someone is talking about it, and so forth… Don’t be hard on yourselves. Two sentences sometimes make a huge difference.
A note from my ESV Bible about James: “Many have claimed that James and the apostle Paul differed on the question of faith versus works, but in reality the spiritual fruit that James talks about simply demonstrates the true faith of which Paul wrote. Their writings are complementary rather than contradictory.”
Something I find very interesting in reading Job…his friends are quick to search to find some sin in his life that he is being punished for to answer why all these bad things are happening to him.
Are we quick to search our hearts to find out why “good” things happen to us?? Clearly, bad things don’t just happen as a direct result of sin, but we often look to that as a reason. When things are going good, do we give God the credit and search to find the things we’re doing “right”? I think we often go with the flow because things are good and forget to find God in those moments too! Am I making any sense? lol just a thought!
Wait let me clear something up! I do not believe good or bad is a direct result of our behavior. …clearly job teaches that! I’m just saying if something is going “right” in our world…I don’t believe we search for the “why” as we would of things were going bad!
That’s a good thought! I know i for one, don’t give God the credit he deserves when things are going good. And I don’t wonder why things are going good. I guess I just put it in my mind that ” I’ve passed thru my valley for now”.
I often do this. Look for what I have done wrong, that I am suffering. However, as we read yesterday, bold reminds to count it all as joy. Through these trails produces steadfastness. Bold reminders to press into trials that I may produce steadfastness, that I may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
I completely agree with you. Recognizing Gods blessings and the good that happens takes effort to see it for what it is. When it’s bad things happening we are so quick to recognize it.
I definitely have done this throughout my life and as an adult have had to work hard (and still working hard!) not to live under the false pretense of my relationship with the Lord being constantly balanced on the scale…ie when I “am good” I “am blessed” and when I sin, I am punished. How blatantly opposite of the gospel message. 31 years and I still have to be constantly reminded that I can’t earn my way! I know your comment was more in regards to asking why but that train of thought was a good reminder for this in my heart. And thanks also for your insight about forgetting God when things are smooth sailing! This is something I have been convicted of in the last few months and am practicing remembering and thanking God for the good when I’m in the midst of it. I and SO quick to plead the “why” when in the midst of a struggle (it’s an ongoing joke when I’m sick that I just say to my husband “why is this happening to me?!”) but to just accept the good times when they came. I’m thankful for your thoughts that are helping me think about these things in my own life!
Job’s friends make some very ~confident~ statements starting with “For you will have” , “You will know” (that your children will be many),
“You will come” and my favorite “We have examined this, and it is true. So hear it and apply it to yourself.”… funny, how as Christians we make such bold statements, considering them godly statements nevertheless, yet having no form of godliness… Never mind referring to children when he just lost TEN of his own!
I have had many impose their views in my life, and deemed as “holy truth”, and unfortunately I have done the same…talking foolishness, using the Bible as my stance and lacking actual Biblical guidance… A good point to ponder for sure! Sometimes our best advice is not saying anything at all… Just give a hug, and offer a prayer (maybe a silent prayer!).
Absolutely, Moni! I think Job’s friends had it right at first, in v. 2:13. They just SAT with him for seven days and seven nights. Often, us simply being present is what a hurting friend needs. “Righteous words of wisdom” aren’t going to help.
Rachel, definitely! I thought about the fact also. The v.2.13 is definitely a great tool to use! Just being “there” vs. needing to fix someone is so liberating! I got a chance to apply it yesterday. Instead of offering “my unneeded advice” to a very sad situation, I kept my mouth shut, listened and said “I am sorry”. I need to keep this in mind more often…
Job is crying out to God in absolute agony of spirits. Is what he saying about life and God completely true? No, not really. But He is being REAL before God. He’s not running away or turning His back on Him. He’s agonising for answers, but he’s still on his knees in worship. The Lord looks mercifully on this troubled soul.
But His friends are astonished and alarmed at His bold words. They are so busy correcting Him that they offer very little comfort. They forget that God is quite capable of defending His name and reminding Job who He really is. They forget all about grace and mercy.
This is a great reminder for me in my dealing with others. I can be so busy judging them and seeing where they are wrong, that I forget to show grace and mercy. I become a corrector instead of a comforter. May this story be a sobering reminder of how useless Job’s friends were to him in his moment of great need because of their lack of grace and comfort to a fellow sufferer. May I be one who bears with love my fellow brother’s burdens!
Amen I echo your post, Jess! According to 1 Samuel 16:7b, The Voice (VOICE) Version ” for the Eternal One does not pay attention to what humans value. Humans only care about the external appearance, but the Eternal considers the inner character”
Wow! I love that you shared that! I’ve never considered this verse in that kind of context. But it’s so true. Only the Lord understands the heart. That’s why we must rely on Him to give us wisdom to speak words of comfort and grace to those who are hurting.
Sorry it sent before I was finished…I’m thankful the Holy Spirit revealed another layer of truth to you as I obeyed the Lord and posted His scripture…we’re having church ladies & the Holy Spirit Is moving in here, amen! Church isn’t within the 4 walls of a building but the BODY of CHRIST is the church. I surrender to You Father and ask that Your Holy Spirit goes to work on our hearts transforming us as only you can, take us from glory to glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Yes, me as well. I’m still chewing on these passages (I think I need a Message translation), but Like you, I think I often end up getting caught up in where somebody is wrong about God, because that’s easier than comforting, I think. But I hate it when people do that to me…
It can just be so hard to know what to say sometimes, but it causes so much pain when we just talk without really thinking about how the other person feels.
I agree with you! It’s soooo hard to know what to say. I guess that’s where we really need to rely on the Spirit’s wisdom before we speak, rather than just launching into the advice that we think they need to hear. So much to learn from!
Jess, thank you for your insight. I have a hard time reading Job, I haven’t been through times nearly as horrible as what he goes through, so I have a hard time relating to him. Your thoughts here have helped me to better understand what we, what I, can learn from this Old Testament book.
Yes! We learn something significant here from Job…that in the throes of chaos, it is better to be with God and a hot mess than to turn our backs on God and be even MORE of a hot mess.
Wow Jess! I think the Lord gave you some insight that I needed to hear as well. I too have been a corrector instead of comforter at times. Even as I was reading your post I was thinking “well I don’t try to correct others but maybe help problem solve” and what a lie that is! Even if I think I’m helping to “problem solve” as I believe I am, that comes from ME and not the Lord. And like Lauren said, I also hate when others do that to me! I am so thankful that I was able to glean some wisdom from you on this.
Faith, without works is dead so I should put the word of God to action daily
“What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.”
James 2:14, 17 NLT
this faith will make us want to love others. to serve others. to grow the Kingdom. this faith will make us want to do all of these things and more.
there’s a lot to take from the reading today. you have job crying out to God. God knows exactly how job is feeling. God knows how we are feeling during the different trials we face. it’s good to have Godly people around you that pushes you in your trial to go talk to God like Eliphaz in job 5:8 ““If I were you, I would go to God and present my case to him.”
i love how job was open and honest with God. God already knew but He also wants to hear it from us.
Faith apart from works is dead. Such a good reminder!
24 “Teach me, and I will be silent;
make me understand how I have gone astray. – Job 6:24
13For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
26For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.
The favoritism verses hit home. Total conviction. I have felt a negative shift in my mindset lately regarding this and this morning received the conviction and humility I’ve been praying for. Praise God for His timing, His correcting love, and for His mercy being new every morning!
Haha great observation
Reminded about having both faith and works. Each is needed
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I have seen so many people say “Look at at all the good I’m doing”. That’s all well and good, but without trust and faith in the Lord it’s nothing. May we be kind and not judgmental.
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2020 summed up in one verse:
“When I think my bed will comfort me and my couch will ease my complaint,”
Job 7:13 NIV
Love this. Telling God how we feel. As a Christian all my life, I’ve been taught God knows so why tell him.
Today’s reading was great. Realizing that not once but twice it says Faith without works is DEAD!
I love how honest and real Job was with the Lord. He did not go to the Lord trying to be perfect and say the right words. He told God how he felt and what he was dealing with because he knew God would not judge him and turn away from him. Let’s decide to love our neighbors so much that they don’t feel seeking help from us it’s just us judging them
Faith apart from works is dead
I have read both passages several times, but never together, and they are so linked by showing kindness to our neighbors, not judging, being merciful, and these are just the obvious ways. So much more packed in to these passages that I need to dig deeper. Faith without works is useless! And mercy always wins! Kindness is a forgotten art, sadly, even in the Christian community. We need to restore kindness and show the love of Jesus now more than ever!
Loved this reading today:
Faith with out works is dead
Not only do we need to believe in God, we need to live by his word!
I needed this message!
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From Job 5
17“Behold, blessed is the one whom God reproves;
therefore despise not the discipline of the Almighty.
18For he wounds, but he binds up;
he shatters, but his hands heal.”
I find such comfort in these words. The consequences of my actions are not the end of the story, but the growing grounds for His discipline and mercy and intervention to restore truth in my heart and shape it into His likeness. I’m praising Him today for caring enough about my heart to meet me with mercy!
i wish i could like a comment !!
Just reflecting on James 2:14-17 and wondering this: few of us in the west have friends in literal rags and starving. So it can be kind of easy to acknowledge and then gloss over that part. We may have friends who are in poverty or going through a financially challenging time. In which case, we can take this part literally. But, if this chapter were written today, what example might James have used instead? Could our half starved/rags friends also be the people in our lives who are emotionally half starved or wearing rags of shame in their lives? What are your interpretations/am I overthinking it?
This is a great thought. When James refers to a brother or sister that can mean anyone—not just a friend. The reality is there are people all around us struggling financially. I think the passage is focusing on the poor but definitely the poor in spirit can be read into it!
Faith and works. We must love our what we believe! James stated that very clearly
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Mercy triumphs over judgement! Hallelujah!
7“Remember that my life is a breath;
my eye will never again see good.
8The eye of him who sees me will behold me no more;
while your eyes are on me, I shall be gone.
9As the cloud fades and vanishes,
so he who goes down to Sheol does not come up;
10he returns no more to his house,
nor does his place know him anymore.
Plane Crash ♥️
God, reveal yourself to me. Reveal yourself. Show me you are here.
“Faith without works is dead”
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Faith without deeds is dead.
“Behold, how happy is the man whom God reproves,
So do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.
“Do you intend to reprove my words,
When the words of one in despair belong to the wind?
I must consider the one speaking as I listen, stop reproving those in despair, that’s God’s job.
I like at the beginning of James how he explains favoritism like this: “when you show favoritism you become a judge with evil thoughts.” That’s for sure what’s happening in all of our heads! We must remember that all of our sin is equal, even if it feels like one person is better than another.
For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. ❤️
we should love all just like our God does -ellie
Faith without works is dead. May we consider our own faith and it’s livelihood
Done day 27
A great reminder I needed today to love my people better this week.
“He who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty.”
Which verse was this?? Love it as well
Mercy triumphs over judgment is such a great verse
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James 2:14-26❤️
James 2:13 – “because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” Such a good reminder for me to show grace towards others. At times. I struggle with even being tolerant of others. But to be Christ-like is to live by mercy, grace and love.
Job 5:18 – For he wounds, but he also binds up. He injures, but his hands also heal.
Such an interesting passage. Anyone have thoughts on this?
Also my bible cross references this with Hosea 6:1-2
A reminder that studying the Bible is not for the head/ mind but for the heart. For out of the heart flows everything else: speech, actions and attitudes. Faith and knowledge mean nothing if we don’t intentionally allow Him to transform us as we seek to live out His truth. We are called to be salt and light in our world even through our most difficult days (Job did not sin in his struggles). We are to be the hands and feet of Christ. He showed us how to love and forgive. Now it is our turn in His strength through power of the Holy Spirit. We have accessible an endless abundance of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control through you. No excuses.
Lord Jesus,
Change my heart to reflect you. Soften my heart and mind to see you and your will for my responses to all circumstances. Forgive me of my ingrown eyeballitis- where my focus stays on myself and my comfort instead of you and others. Use my voice, hands, feet, mind, gifts… I am yours. Help me to be willing to be inconvenienced, to sacrifice, to swallow my pride, to keep my mouth shut, to change. Use me to make an impact.
Thank you, Lord, for your plans. Thank you for your extreme example of love. Thank you for your willingness to use me despite me. Thank you for your forgiveness and grace. Help me to pay this forward to others.
Amen
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Thank you for this Amy. Your words echo my heart. Praying for a full transformation as we seek Him with ALL of our hearts, souls, and minds and serve Him with our Whole beings!
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Beautiful ❤️
Love this prayer!!! Thanks for sharing your heart.
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Thank you for sharing!
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Job 5:7, 8 Born to trouble as sparks fly upward. As for me I will seek God and commit my cause. Am I always trying to reverse my troubles of loss and cancer and rape and abuse. May I seek God in the midst and commit causes to His Providential Hand.
I’m here too, I see so much of myself in Job asking why for years I asked why but now reading has shown me some of the why’s, (sin, selfishness, unforgiving, and jealousy) I’ve been cleaning my garden and with this app and daily devotional I’ve been planting new seeds. Now I need to start watering my garden by walk the walk. Thankful my new life and everyone insights and encouragement.
I feel like James 2:24-26 was talking right to me: “you see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone…As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.”
Just because I read my Bible everyday and study the word, it doesn’t mean that I’m a “good” person. I have to use the word in my life to show others God in me. I can talk the talk but I also have to walk the walk. It’s easy to say I am a Christian but actually acting like God is a whole other story. How can I expect people to see God through me if I do not act the part? I must use the word, not only in private study time, but in my public life as well if I want to truly show the world God is in me.
This is exactly what I’ve been thinking about! I know I don’t show love to people the way that I should. I want to be a loving, gracious person who shines Christ’s light!
Yes, this was my take away today, too!
These were my exact thoughts! Reading your comment just put my own thoughts into perspective for me!
I was thinking the same thing. Good thing we are not alone- it’s comforting to know I’m not the only one going through this. I pray to be a good example of Christ so others can believe!!
I just found the app and I thank God for this amazing tool! So good to know this community is here!
I’m reading through for a second time. I enjoy reading everyone’s comments and I get so much encouragement knowing that I’m not doing this alone. Blessings to you all!
Still here too..so refreshing to be in Gods word and immersing ourselves in truth. Praying for our journeys this year!
I’m here too! It’s nice to see new comments and know we “shes ” are reading truth together.
It didn’t look like many recent comments have been made, so I’m just checking in saying I’m still here. Grateful for a reading plan. It does make me dig deeper because it’s not always easy to understand. But I’m still here and want to encourage anybody out there to keep going with me!
Grateful also for the daily reading and being encouraged by it. Let’s keep it up !!
I’m still going, too! I’ve found myself engaging with the Word through making notes and journal writing. I love how God uses story.
I’m still going, too! I’ve found myself engaging with the Word through making notes and journal writing. I love how God uses story.
I’ve been doing the same thing! It makes a world of difference than just reading.
Blue letter bible is a GREAT app/website that explains
The Bible in detail, with commentaries and cross references!
the bible in detail
My Pastor was explaining in his sermon last night how James 2 is not saying we are saved but works, or have a works-based faith, but rather that we have an obedience-based relationship with the lord that pushes us to do good works as we strive to obey every command of the Lord, as children strive to obey the fathers they love
I didn’t interpret it as works based-faith. But faith as in believing in Christ and works as in picking up your cross to follow. Living the life by what you say you believe. If God tells you to leave your job and you don’t how is that faith? If God tells you to help out a friend and you hold tight to your money how is that faith? Obedience through works of faith produce fruit. We struggle because we can’t see and often times Satan creates an illusion of “reality” and that we are in control.
I have been recently been going through some tough times a and reading the story of Job has been such a blessing! Here is a man who has truly suffered BUT still keeps faith in God. I am reminded that even the ought my suffering, I still must cling on to him!
Tera, it’s awesome that you are getting exposed to the word of God! I promise you won’t be disappointed with what you find in this Holy book. It’s a beautiful story about how God redeems broken people who are wicked and have turned against him by sending his son to live perfectly on earth, only to be crucified and killed, and raised on the third day that our sins might be paid for and forgiven so that we could know him and be in relationship with him FOREVER. And the reason? Because he is only good wise and sovereign and he loves so dearly a people who are rebellious and arrogant. Every story that you read in this book is a shadow of this redeemer King to come, or an account of his life here on earth and how he commands us to live once we trust in him. I think it’s great that you’re following along with this plan, but if I could suggest something, I would recommend starting in John or Mark and reading all the way through those to get an idea of who Jesus is and what this good news is. Also it could be helpful to find some women in your area who are Christians and who can explain to you the teaching of the bible! This community is great but having women do life with you daily and explaining how to walk with God is even better. I am praying that the truth of God in Jesus is revealed to you and that your heart is forever changed by this marvelous news that flips the world upside down!!! Hope this helps girlie
I have been following aIong since Jan 1. I am doing every reading. And decided to give it a month till I ask for help. I am having so much trouble understanding up to this point. Some seem to click but for the most part I feel lost. I feel like it’s another language. I did not grow up in a church or with any teachings. So I am literally starting from the beginning. Can anyone shed some light on how I can understand this. I really NEED this. Thanks so much.
What version of the Bible are you reading? Different versions are written differently and some are easier to understand!
The Old Testament is tough, because there are so many things that make more sense if you have some background. I would suggest finding a local church. I have some connections around the states, if I can be of help, let me know.
Try changing your bible to The Message version. It was written to sound like more modern speak but they do verses in chunks. I’ve read the Bible my whole life but I still love this version.
Job 5: WOW! So inspiring & encouraging. It so perfectly encapsulates His might & Grace. It’s a great chapter for anyone feeling lonely or abandoned because it perfectly shows His might & encourages the reader that HE IS GOD!
A great chapter of comfort for anyone going through a tough time or struggle.
Job 7:7 Wow that is eye opening
I love this James Chapter!
Such a good message
8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.
We really need to work on loving others as ourselves. Not one person specifically but the whole world. Love is important.
So true! Jesus loves us so much that He died for us so we should show that same love to others.
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.
I really like how in James, the author uses the story of Abraham’s sacrifice to God as a story of faith by works/work by faith, and the fact that we as Christians can’t have one or the other; we must have both. The whole idea of that is something We can strive for: connecting faith and works in our everyday lives.
I read James a while back, and then started this plan “bible in a year” and it’s interesting re-reading James with new insight on who Abraham was!
Also–some questions. In job 7:11 it says: therefore I will not keep silent; I will speak out in the anguish of my spirit, I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.
What do you think is meant by “complain” here? To what extent should we complain when we pray? Should we complain when we pray? I always thought we shouldn’t..but job does here
Good questions, Bella! I don’t feel like we should complain at all! I think Job is in such despair that he is making excuses for his behavior, and his friends are in shock because he has been so faithful up to this point, and now he is doubting God and acting very “woe is me, why would God do this to me, waa waa waa.” As we read in James 1 yesterday: 2 “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” Unfortunately Job isn’t withstanding the test very well. God doesn’t give us trials to break us, but to make us STRONGER!
I don’t think that we are to complain, per say, but I think that one thing that Job does well that many Christians do not is that he is HONEST with God. He is honest with God that things are awful and that he is depressed and maybe even suicidal. It’s part of being human to experience some really awful things and to feel really awful about them. It’s OKAY to feel really awful. But it’s important to go to God and tell Him about how awful you’re feeling because ultimately, He will take better care of us than anyone or anything else ever could.
Love that! Thank you!!
Thank you!
I feel like God is big enough for us to cry out to him-in all things! Even on the cross Jesus cried out “Father, why have you forsaken me”
There are no thoughts that we can hide from God so why they when you are broken hearted and in despair would you have to try to “be strong” or hide it from your Father? In the Psalms David cries out to the Lord many times and God calls him a man after my own heart. I think the big thing to remember is-we can ALWAYS cry out to the Lord in our troubles but we must always get to the…BUT GOD I will praise you for your glory. For God is Good!
I love these chapters with the dialogue between Job and his friends! His friends share wisdom with him and they all just talk things out. job is super transparent as he shares his feelings–this looks like a lot of me and my friends conversations sometimes!
Job is a little confusing to me. I can’t really tell when one conversation ends and another begins, or when the speaker changes from Job to one of his friends. Any chance one of y’all could explain it to me? This past passage was just really confusing to me today. James 2 made a lot of sense and I loved it, but Job 5-7 was harder for me to understand…I try to go slow when I read and really study the verses, but right now I’m at a loss. Any helpful advice would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Z! Each chapter appears to be one speaker, it doesn’t seem to go back and forth within each passage. Today was a little confusing, I agree, because Job 5 was a continuation of Eliphaz’s speech from yesterday’s reading (Job 4). Then Job 6 begins with “Job answered and said…” And his dialogue goes through chapter 7. I’ve found it helps to go back and read the last chapter of the previous reading to “refresh” my memory and what that particular speaker was saying. Hope this helps!
Thank you very much! It does :)
Hey Z – I’ve downloaded the Faith Life study bible app (it’s free) and when there are bits I don’t understand I read them in the study bible notes and it usually explains it to me. Hope thandjdjdjdjdjd
Sorry for the weird text I can’t see what I’m writing for some reason!! :)
Thanks for the tip! I’ll check it out
I had the same problem! I kindve feel like I’m reading Shakespeare haha
I found it hard to follow and comprehend, so I read “the message” translation. So much better!
What is the message translation?
I agree!!
Job has always been a bit of a “task” for me to read, just going through chapter after chapter reading through the deep sorrow of his anguish. With his friends entering the story and going back and forth with him, it is, to me, a good example of how not to talk to someone in the midst of grief. They care for him, have good intentions, but don’t seem to make things any better. Personally, this example is one of the things I take away from the book of Job, which is such a fascinating story. Praise God in times of deep despair and sorrow, He is always there.
With the strifes going on in American culture, what struck me today about the passage in James was how favoritism is a synonym of racism. We tend to not think about it from that aspect but it really is having a favorite, treating a person differently because we favor one person over another for some reason. I don’t think that I’m racist, but if I look at it as favoritism, it might be easier for me to see the areas I do need to work on, since “favoritism” captures more angles of error than the term “racism” does.
Also, I liked how James pointed out that, in his example, the poor man who was being mistreated was of the people who had much faith, while the rich man who was given favor was of the people who were slandering Jesus name. Instead of being discerning about a person’s individual spiritual well being, the church that James was writing to was paying more attention to the worldly importances of wealth. So it’s also a reminder to us to check our judgments to see whether they are spiritual or worldly. Are we honoring people for their great faith in our God in spite of their circumstances, or are we honoring the people whom we are most comfortable with, but who don’t have spiritual triumphs we should be striving to imitate, just worldly (and ultimately pointless) triumphs…
Yes! To all of what you wrote! A beautiful synopsis of the reading!
I get confused as well. But here his friend was saying he was being judged bc he had sinned. We know that’s not the case and Job realizes this as well. He rebuked his friend for passing judgement on him.
So many times we will make excuses for why we go to these worldly things for comfort. I know I’ve been struggling with this and making excuses for myself saying well this is why.. And James 5 just really shows us, there’s no excuse to go to these things because God is the solution for everything. “If I were in your shoes, I’d go straight to God, I’d throw myself on the mercy of God.” That’s what we need to do when we see times of trouble instead of going to something or someone that might be comfort now but it won’t be the comfort and the peace that God gives that is true comfort and peace instead of situational comfort.
So many times we will make excuses for why we go to these worldly things for comfort. I know I’ve been struggling with this and making excuses for myself saying well this is why.. And James 5 just really shows us, there’s no excuse to go to these things because God is the solution for everything. “If I were in your shoes, I’d go straight to God, I’d throw myself on the mercy of God.” (The Message) That’s what we need to do when we see times of trouble instead of going to something or someone that might be comfort now but it won’t be the comfort and the peace that God gives that is true comfort and peace instead of situational comfort.
James 1 is so good!
I agree, Kayla! James is one of my favorite books. So many good things in such a short book.
I get so confused by job. What did his friends do that was so bad? How should we learn from Job’s response?
I love how real, honest and broken Job was before God. I relate to him in that he was bold in what he said out loud.. he didn’t worry about whether it was exactly the right thing to say or if it necessarily was true, he was just speaking his heart to God. So often I think I have to “practice my prayer” before I fumble over my words and actually pray them to the Lord. I think I have to say all the doctrinally correct things and I forget that God is my Comforter. He wants me to come to him honestly and vulnerable. He wants to hear exactly how I’m feeling and meet me right there in my mess and brokenness. Job is a beautiful picture of being honest and open and letting God pick up his broken pieces. He doesn’t try to put it all together himself first.. he just comes, right where he’s at.
Yes!
9 He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed,
miracles that cannot be counted.
10 He provides rain for the earth;
he sends water on the countryside.
11 The lowly he sets on high,
and those who mourn are lifted to safety.
12 He thwarts the plans of the crafty,
so that their hands achieve no success.
This part of scripture is such a good reminder of Gods love and how much he does for us. We are all truly blessed. I need to practice recognizing it more and remembering to pause and feel Gods love!
8 “But if I were you, I would appeal to God;
I would lay my cause before him.
9 He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed,
miracles that cannot be counted.
Cannot be FATHOMED. our God is truly amazing. I’m continuously amazed by his works.
I was so struck by this passage this morning, I went back and read it twice. We have nothing to fear becuase God has already seen it all and provided our relief. It’s ours to believe and accept it. He asks for nothing more in return. What a mighty God we serve!
James 2 is very convicting to me. As a busy college kid, I find it so hard to find time to get into the community and places where I can serve the poor. But I do keep thinking: am I bearing fruit? Is my faith being used on someone else for good? I pray for opportunities and discernment to know how God wants me to act and serve!
God can use you in situations that aren’t working with the poor! We all have different areas where he wants to use us. Praying for discernment and opportunity us so important… And being aware of them when presented to you. This is definitely something I need to work on!
Consider the little things that you can do on your campus to show Gods love. Smile. Ask genuinely how people are. Talk about the joy you have in Jesus. Pay it forward. There are so many small ways to show the love of God on a campus even in a busy life!
Thank you for the ideas and encouragement! I will be more mindful throughout my days for sure!
FAITH WITHOUT ACTION IS DEAD !
I liked the follow up verse that said I’ll show you my faith by showing my deeds. I think this is something that many people struggle with- is it faith or works that saves me? Showing my faith by showing my deeds explains it so well that your deeds are a clear reflection if your faith!! I really liked this!
There is a whole section about favoritism in James and I never realized how important it was to not show it! We are essentially making ourselves God when judge people and that is not our job – our job is to be merciful!! That really convicted me! (James 2:1-13)
Mercy given to those who show mercy! So powerful
I was thinking about the favoritism part on a comfort level. That sometimes not realizing I will be nice to the “poor person” but will be more comfortable with the “rich person” and not meaning to show favoritism in my niceness. I might invite the “rich person” to my home, out for lunch or a kid play date, would be nice to the “poor person” and probably would not extend the other offers.
❤️
Definitely something to think about that has popped into my mind reading Job… Is I wonder how the words of his friends affected the words Job said. Here his friends thought they were helping when quite possibly and most likely God was less glorified because it took Job’s eyes off the Lord and praising him despite his circumstances. I am very guilty of this as my gift is not so much mercy and compassion but exhortation… So makes me wonder how many times I have actually turned people away from what they were to be doing because I thought what I said was biblical.
Really interesting thoughts Katie!
I was thinking the same thing. I really good at speaking the truth but not always the truth in love. I guess we both looked in the mirror, now we have to remember what we saw and do better next time! Thanks for sharing your heart.
In Job 7: 16-21 my heart aches for him. His testing is so hard. Yet is because of his goodness that God chose him to teach Satan a lesson. Will I ever reach that point in my life where God looks upon me with such favor? Will I ever be that spiritually mature? Job was chosen because he was faithful to a point where God trusted him with the most horrible suffering, to still be faithful to him. No matter what. Awe-inspiring!!
So true!! I fear he would look at me and not be so sure as He was in Job!
Wow I never really connected that… The Lord knew Job and the strength he had in God to be able to be used to teach Satan a lesson. Does make you wonder if God could say the same for us huh..
I never thought of Job’s trials in that way. But what a great point you make! We should all strive to be so “on fire” for God!
Wow Roslyn I love how you wrote that. “Will I ever reach that point in my life where God looks upon me with such favor” When we read Job and all his trials we often forget that God picked him out as being righteous in a sea of people. God chose him! Love that view point
James 2:10 “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all”. Even on my best day I can’t keep the whole law. Especially when the NT says that if your thoughts dwell on a sin you are just as guilty as if you had committed it. And, invariably, on the days that I try SO HARD to prove that I can do it … those are the days that I fall the hardest. I cannot do this. It is so far above my ability. And even my will, if I’m really honest about it. I know what the right thing is. I can’t claim ignorance. But I don’t want it. So I don’t choose it. How frustrating
I struggle with the same thing. And it’s so hard for me! There is a special kind of punishment for those who know what the right thing to do is, but ignore it and still do wrong. It’s actually a very bad habit that has been taking me a while to overcome.
I think none of us can do the right thing, not in our strength. But if we stop trying to do it on our own, but instead leaning in to God’s strength, power and grace it’s possible. It can still be a struggle, but i have been able to overcome sins that I thought was imposssible to overcome when I admitted that I couldn’t do it on my own and asked God for help instead
Antimony I think you are verbalizing a struggle that many of us feel. My only consolation is that we are in good company with Paul when he writes, “For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.” (Romans 7:19 NIV) and follows to say how he feels a prisoner to his mind and flesh waging war on each other because of this struggle! I just read the last half of Romans 7 and into 8 and it was so much more illuminating to me after this!
Yes! I don’t think anyone is capable of keeping the whole law. We are too broken and human. But remember “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:23-24) He came to pay for all our sins and shortcomings! God so loved the world, He sent His son to die for us, so that we don’t have to be forever plagued by this feeling of dread. We are redeemed!
5:17 “Behold, how happy is the man whom God reproves, So do not despise the discipline of the Almighty”. Once again, there is truth to this … but it’s not really appropriate in context. I’m sure his friends wanted to help. But they assumed things they should not have assumed! God was using Job’s life as an example of faithfulness in incredibly difficult circumstances. Not as an example of God’s punishment of secret sin.
Antimony, that’s what I have been thinking too. Some of what Job’s friends say is true, but not appropriate for Job’s situation. Very interesting that we could speak something true to a grieving friend yet it may be something that doesn’t apply to their situation. I pray for wisdom and guarding of my tongue!
This kind of made me giggle – 6 “Can something tasteless be eaten without salt,
Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?
7 “My soul refuses to touch them;
They are like loathsome food to me.” Job gets it! Hehe. But in all seriousness I was so convicted by this passage seeing the foolishness of Job’s friends, being so quick to speak or judge or explain the situation. When someone is in deep despair like that nothing can comfort them but Jesus himself and I need to be the friend who lovingly and gently points them to Him. (And keeps my big mouth shut!)
James 2:13 …”mercy triumphs over judgement.” One of those small but powerful statements that is easy to pass over. May we live that truth! :-)
And so relevant in the context of Job too!
Born in sin. Born “to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward.” Job 5:7. May “Mercy triumph over judgment” of Job, over judgment of my family, over judgment of my friends. Jam 2:13. Wrestle well, Job. We can hear you shouting now in your overwhelming pain. Have mercy on us all, O God!
I love that our SRT sisters paired Job with James. It is so important that we read the Old Testament through the lens of the New Testament. We see Job in such turmoil and sadness… then we read “consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, when you face trials of many kinds” (James 1:2). We read how the first words given to Job by his friends are words filled with judgment… Then we read “mercy triumphs over judgment” (james2:13). May we not be so quick to judge Job’s friends and see this sin in our own hearts!! Lord, fill us with your mercy so that we can extend mercy to others!
Yes! It’s kind of rocking my world- this pairing of Job and James. Mostly because it’s challenging me in my role as a friend to someone experiencing tragedy (or any life situation, really). I know I need to meet them in their grief and comfort them, but that seems awkward and messy and hard. But James reminds us that if we know something, we need to act on it. How we love others is a direct reflection of how we love Jesus. Anyone feeling super challenged by these correlating passages?
I agree!!! So thankful that we get to see both sides of it.
This struck me as well!
Yes! I think the works that James refers to are direct results of our faith and love for God. Not works that try to earn favor or even salvation. When we are truly loving God and people, our “works” are apparent. We will be known by our fruit.
Am I the only one who is a little confused about these chapters in job? :-/
No. Job is hard and I’ve read it at least twice before and still don’t always see what I’m supposed to….. One day
I have trouble seeing things too. That’s why I think this discussion is so useful. It helps to talk and get others perspectives. Interpreting the bible takes practice… The more we read the more we understand. It’s a struggle for me too sometimes.
Job is a tough read. If I find myself wondering, that is past anything I am reading, I try to focus back to a verse that God is revealing for myself, for today. And sometimes, while it seems I am not retaining anything, I find myself months later pondering on something I read because someone is talking about it, and so forth… Don’t be hard on yourselves. Two sentences sometimes make a huge difference.
I’m right there with you. Keep the faith!
A note from my ESV Bible about James: “Many have claimed that James and the apostle Paul differed on the question of faith versus works, but in reality the spiritual fruit that James talks about simply demonstrates the true faith of which Paul wrote. Their writings are complementary rather than contradictory.”
Something I find very interesting in reading Job…his friends are quick to search to find some sin in his life that he is being punished for to answer why all these bad things are happening to him.
Are we quick to search our hearts to find out why “good” things happen to us?? Clearly, bad things don’t just happen as a direct result of sin, but we often look to that as a reason. When things are going good, do we give God the credit and search to find the things we’re doing “right”? I think we often go with the flow because things are good and forget to find God in those moments too! Am I making any sense? lol just a thought!
Wait let me clear something up! I do not believe good or bad is a direct result of our behavior. …clearly job teaches that! I’m just saying if something is going “right” in our world…I don’t believe we search for the “why” as we would of things were going bad!
That’s a good thought! I know i for one, don’t give God the credit he deserves when things are going good. And I don’t wonder why things are going good. I guess I just put it in my mind that ” I’ve passed thru my valley for now”.
I often do this. Look for what I have done wrong, that I am suffering. However, as we read yesterday, bold reminds to count it all as joy. Through these trails produces steadfastness. Bold reminders to press into trials that I may produce steadfastness, that I may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
I completely agree with you. Recognizing Gods blessings and the good that happens takes effort to see it for what it is. When it’s bad things happening we are so quick to recognize it.
I definitely have done this throughout my life and as an adult have had to work hard (and still working hard!) not to live under the false pretense of my relationship with the Lord being constantly balanced on the scale…ie when I “am good” I “am blessed” and when I sin, I am punished. How blatantly opposite of the gospel message. 31 years and I still have to be constantly reminded that I can’t earn my way! I know your comment was more in regards to asking why but that train of thought was a good reminder for this in my heart. And thanks also for your insight about forgetting God when things are smooth sailing! This is something I have been convicted of in the last few months and am practicing remembering and thanking God for the good when I’m in the midst of it. I and SO quick to plead the “why” when in the midst of a struggle (it’s an ongoing joke when I’m sick that I just say to my husband “why is this happening to me?!”) but to just accept the good times when they came. I’m thankful for your thoughts that are helping me think about these things in my own life!
I struggle with the same thing.
Job’s friends make some very ~confident~ statements starting with “For you will have” , “You will know” (that your children will be many),
“You will come” and my favorite “We have examined this, and it is true. So hear it and apply it to yourself.”… funny, how as Christians we make such bold statements, considering them godly statements nevertheless, yet having no form of godliness… Never mind referring to children when he just lost TEN of his own!
I have had many impose their views in my life, and deemed as “holy truth”, and unfortunately I have done the same…talking foolishness, using the Bible as my stance and lacking actual Biblical guidance… A good point to ponder for sure! Sometimes our best advice is not saying anything at all… Just give a hug, and offer a prayer (maybe a silent prayer!).
Absolutely, Moni! I think Job’s friends had it right at first, in v. 2:13. They just SAT with him for seven days and seven nights. Often, us simply being present is what a hurting friend needs. “Righteous words of wisdom” aren’t going to help.
Rachel, definitely! I thought about the fact also. The v.2.13 is definitely a great tool to use! Just being “there” vs. needing to fix someone is so liberating! I got a chance to apply it yesterday. Instead of offering “my unneeded advice” to a very sad situation, I kept my mouth shut, listened and said “I am sorry”. I need to keep this in mind more often…
You’re on the right track..!
Job is crying out to God in absolute agony of spirits. Is what he saying about life and God completely true? No, not really. But He is being REAL before God. He’s not running away or turning His back on Him. He’s agonising for answers, but he’s still on his knees in worship. The Lord looks mercifully on this troubled soul.
But His friends are astonished and alarmed at His bold words. They are so busy correcting Him that they offer very little comfort. They forget that God is quite capable of defending His name and reminding Job who He really is. They forget all about grace and mercy.
This is a great reminder for me in my dealing with others. I can be so busy judging them and seeing where they are wrong, that I forget to show grace and mercy. I become a corrector instead of a comforter. May this story be a sobering reminder of how useless Job’s friends were to him in his moment of great need because of their lack of grace and comfort to a fellow sufferer. May I be one who bears with love my fellow brother’s burdens!
Amen I echo your post, Jess! According to 1 Samuel 16:7b, The Voice (VOICE) Version ” for the Eternal One does not pay attention to what humans value. Humans only care about the external appearance, but the Eternal considers the inner character”
Wow! I love that you shared that! I’ve never considered this verse in that kind of context. But it’s so true. Only the Lord understands the heart. That’s why we must rely on Him to give us wisdom to speak words of comfort and grace to those who are hurting.
Jess, praise God…I give all glory to Him!
Sorry it sent before I was finished…I’m thankful the Holy Spirit revealed another layer of truth to you as I obeyed the Lord and posted His scripture…we’re having church ladies & the Holy Spirit Is moving in here, amen! Church isn’t within the 4 walls of a building but the BODY of CHRIST is the church. I surrender to You Father and ask that Your Holy Spirit goes to work on our hearts transforming us as only you can, take us from glory to glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Yes, me as well. I’m still chewing on these passages (I think I need a Message translation), but Like you, I think I often end up getting caught up in where somebody is wrong about God, because that’s easier than comforting, I think. But I hate it when people do that to me…
It can just be so hard to know what to say sometimes, but it causes so much pain when we just talk without really thinking about how the other person feels.
I agree with you! It’s soooo hard to know what to say. I guess that’s where we really need to rely on the Spirit’s wisdom before we speak, rather than just launching into the advice that we think they need to hear. So much to learn from!
Lol, Lauren! I had to read the ESV, ERV, MSG, NLT, VOICE and prayed as I read to get clarity for some verses. Talking it out with myself
In layman terms helped as well
Jess, thank you for your insight. I have a hard time reading Job, I haven’t been through times nearly as horrible as what he goes through, so I have a hard time relating to him. Your thoughts here have helped me to better understand what we, what I, can learn from this Old Testament book.
Yes! We learn something significant here from Job…that in the throes of chaos, it is better to be with God and a hot mess than to turn our backs on God and be even MORE of a hot mess.
Good point!
Wow Jess! I think the Lord gave you some insight that I needed to hear as well. I too have been a corrector instead of comforter at times. Even as I was reading your post I was thinking “well I don’t try to correct others but maybe help problem solve” and what a lie that is! Even if I think I’m helping to “problem solve” as I believe I am, that comes from ME and not the Lord. And like Lauren said, I also hate when others do that to me! I am so thankful that I was able to glean some wisdom from you on this.
Thank you for posting this! I love this :)
Amen!