Daily Bible Devotionals

“Human life on earth is like serving in the army; yes, we drudge through our days like a hired worker, like a slave longing for shade, like a worker thinking only of his wages.” Job 7:1-2 (CJB)

It has been said that the “American Dream” is to work hard and become your own boss. When I was in high school, I met one of the most successful Americans. I was living in Arkansas and working at Wal-Mart’s store #125 when a voice came over our loudspeaker, “Hello, everyone! I am Sam Walton, owner of Wal-Mart, and I would like to meet you.” It was the first time I ever shook a billionaire’s hand. I must have washed my hands too soon after that handshake because the billions didn’t transfer to me!

Several years later, I heard a news report that Sam Walton had died. And how much of those billions did he take with him?  $0. Here is my point, and perhaps Job’s as well: Even if we become the boss of the world, we still must submit to the Lord. We work for God.

Yes, I know it grates at our independent spirits! We don’t want to work for anyone or take orders from any authority. But that doesn’t change the fact that we are bondservants at the beck-and-call of our master. It pleases God when we recognize our place in His Kingdom and willingly offer ourselves to His service. Consider Jesus’ conversation with a Roman centurion.  

“‘Lord,’ he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.” Jesus said to him, ‘Shall I come and heal him?’ The centurion replied, ‘Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.’ When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, ‘Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.’” Matthew 8:6-10 (NIV)

Job understood his place and the calling of all mankind to serve God. He compared it to the life of an army soldier. Well-disciplined soldiers do not question orders from their superiors, even when they seem absurd. Job did not like his condition one bit, but he had hope in God’s character. When what he believed to be true about God did not seem consistent with his immediate circumstances, Job held on to the Lord in faith.

What a perfect message for our present-day World!

But here’s the better news: We serve a Master Who (through the atoning work of His Son, Jesus) esteems us “slaves” (who have been purchased by Jesus’ shed blood) as ‘sons and daughters,’ making us co-inheritors with Messiah Jesus.

Grab your Bible & experience the Groundworks Ministries Podcast as Steve Wiggins leads us through the full chapter of Job 6. Click the links below to watch or listen now!

“Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects; therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty. For He bruises, but He binds up; He wounds, but His hands make whole. He shall deliver you in six troubles, yes, in seven no evil shall touch you.” Job 5:17-19 (NKJV)

When my older children were still very young, my wife and I determined that we would keep our kids as close to church as possible. We toted the kids to every program the church offered. When the kids got a bit older, we decided to enroll them in Christian schools. This was all because we were trying to protect our children from worldliness and its influence within the public school system.  

For the most part, our plan worked, but as time progressed, we began noticing that not all “Christian” families have the same rules and standards as us. We soon came to understand that it was not enough to protect our children from worldliness by shielding them from the World. We also must shield our kids from worldly Christians. That is, Christians whose worldview is based more on their knowledge of the World than their knowledge and faithful belief in the Bible.

This scenario is precisely what Job is facing in today’s passage. His “friends” have a form of godliness but a wrong understanding of God. When people depart from God’s Word, the Bible, they immediately lose track of the spiritual “true North” and cannot be trusted as a moral compass. That means their counsel may contain “religious-sounding” terms, be filled with sincerity, and be passionately presented…but it will probably not be consistent with God’s standard. When filtered through the lens of Scripture, what may appear to be common spiritual “horse sense” may actually be good, old-fashioned heresy!

Listen to how sincere Elifaz’s “tough love” encouragement sounds: How happy the person whom God corrects! Don’t despise Shaddai’s discipline.  

The problem was that the Lord was doing a whole other thing in Job’s life. Job was not undergoing the Lord’s rebuke. Job’s friend had misdiagnosed Job’s condition in a self-righteous rush to judgment, fueled by his Biblical ignorance. The source of Eilphaz’s spiritual pride was his lack of understanding of God, and this lack of understanding came from heeding the ungodly counsel of Satan himself.  (Job 4:12-21)

Once a person departs from God’s Word yet seeks to follow Him through some other means, not only is that person deceived, but any counsel they give has potentially eternal adverse effects on the lives of others. Notice how Elifaz prophesies, drawing wrong predictions of Job’s future based on an incorrect understanding of the Lord. This condition is rampant within the Church-at-large because so few professing believers read the Bible. We should discern all teaching and advice, just as the Bereans did.  

“Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” Acts 17:11 (NIV)

“For a word was stealthily brought to me, my ear caught only a whisper of it.  In passing thoughts flashing through visions at night, when sleep lies heavy on people, a shiver of horror came over me; it made all my bones tremble. Then a spirit passed in front of my face; the hair on my flesh stood on end.  It stood still, but I couldn’t make out its appearance; yet the form stayed there before my eyes. Then I heard a subdued voice, ‘Can a human be seen by God as righteous? Can a mortal be pure before his maker? God doesn’t trust His own servants, He finds fault even with His angels; much more those living in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust.’” Job 4:12-19 (CJB)

Today’s passage is the first of a series of counsel/rebukes by Job’s friends. When I read the counsel of Job’s friends, I ask the age-old question: With friends like these, who needs enemies?  

This first “counsel” comes from a fellow named Elifaz the Teimani (Hebrew).  Elifaz, in Hebrew, means “my god shines purely as gold.”  Perhaps it is eluding that Job’s friend was an idolater. One thing is sure: Elifaz reveals the source of his counsel: Satan.

In the same way the “snake” slithered up to Eve and struck up that infamous conversation in the Garden of Eden, Satan whispers in Elifaz’s ear in the night.  Interestingly, nothing Satan says is blatantly false. One of Satan’s grand schemes is to present the truth in a negative light. You see, better than getting people to reject God’s Word completely is to convince them to follow God’s Word incompletely! Both tactics keep people from a saving relationship with the Lord through His Son, Jesus. It also keeps followers of Jesus from being effective witnesses and counselors to the lost and hurting.

That is why we read God’s Word every day, asking Him to personally reveal the truth of His Word so we can know it rightly. Then, we ask Him to give us someone to share it with. Why?  Because Satan has many “Job’s friends” planted throughout this world and even in the Church. If it were not so, why would Paul have written these words?

“In fact, all those who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. Evil people and impostors will become worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed. You know those who taught you, and you know that from childhood you have known the sacred Scriptures, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:12-17 (HCSB)

We search God’s Word daily, so we can weigh both the world’s counsel and so-called “Christian” counsel that may deny critical aspects of the Word. Also, we can give Godly counsel to those who perceive their suffering as “for no reason.”

“Why is light given to him who is in misery, and life to the bitter of soul, who long for death, but it does not come, and search for it more than hidden treasures; who rejoice exceedingly, and are glad when they can find the grave? Why is light given to a man whose way is hidden, and whom God has hedged in? For my sighing comes before I eat, and my groanings pour out like water. For the thing I greatly feared has come upon me, and what I dreaded has happened to me. I am not at ease, nor am I quiet; I have no rest, for trouble comes.” Job 3:20-26 (NKJV)

Have you ever wished you were never born? Have you ever cried out that the Lord would take you out of this world, that there is no reason to be alive, and that light and air are even wasted on you? That is a miserable way to feel, but you are alone. I have felt that way. Job felt that way. God knew you would feel that way, and He has written this account to help give insight into the redemptive “why” regarding the suffering of the righteous. Consider Paul’s words.

“For if we live, we live in relation to the Lord; and if we die, we die in relation to the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord – indeed, it was for this very reason that Messiah died and came back to life, so that He might be Lord of both the living and the dead.” Romans 14:8-9 (CJB)

The reason we exist (in this world and the next) is to glorify the Lord. Our culture has somehow convinced many of us that God exists to serve mankind. This mindset has even taken root in the Church-at-large. That is exactly the opposite of the truth. Even Heaven is not the “eternal recess” many believe it will be. We belong to the Lord, and our lives (even in eternity) are to be lived unto Him for His purposes, chosen by His great wisdom. It is our obligation to trust that even if our circumstances do not resemble blessing, He is ultimately working all things together for good. (Romans 8:28) Again, consider the words of Paul, no stranger to suffering for following the Lord.

“Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has actually resulted in the advance of the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard, and to everyone else, that my imprisonment is in the cause of Christ. Most of the brothers in the Lord have gained confidence from my imprisonment and dare even more to speak the message fearlessly.” Philippians 1:12-14 (HCSB)

“My eager expectation and hope is that I will not be ashamed about anything, but that now as always, with all boldness, Christ will be highly honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For me, living is Christ and dying is gain. Now if I live on in the flesh, this means fruitful work for me; and I don’t know which one I should choose. I am pressured by both. I have the desire to depart and be with Christ—which is far better— but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you.” Philippians 1:20-2 (HCSB)

Paul could be encouraged because he knew what Job didn’t: the end of Job’s suffering! We see the end of Paul’s and, perhaps, most importantly, the eternal end of Jesus’.

“Then the Lord said to Satan, ‘Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil? And still he holds fast to his integrity, although you incited Me against him, to destroy him without cause.’ So Satan answered the Lord and said, ‘Skin for skin! Yes, all that a man has he will give for his life. But stretch out Your hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will surely curse You to Your face!’ And the Lord said to Satan, ‘Behold, he is in your hand, but spare his life.’” Job 2:3-6 (NKJV)

Many followers of Jesus have a superstitious wariness concerning the book of Job.  It is as if once they read the book, God will have a similar conversation with Satan about them! I know I feared reading the book of Job for many years. My fear was mostly centered on my misconception that God exists solely to make me happy and give me a life of worldly abundance. I did not want to face the truth that God’s great plan and purpose for my life may include my suffering for His gospel!

These first two chapters of Job are some of the most dreaded chapters in the Bible and pretty much single-handedly dismantle the “prosperity” gospel.

Something that profoundly leaped out of today’s chapter was Satan’s argument against Job that a man will give up everything he has to save his life. What was so interesting is that Satan’s argument was exactly the opposite of what Jesus did. Jesus, the Creator of all that is (John 1), left His position of power, honor, and glory to offer up His life for us.

“The Word became flesh and took up residence among us. We observed His glory, the glory as the One and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 (HCSB)

Furthermore, Satan argued that if he were allowed to curse Job’s flesh, Job would curse God to his face. Again, this is precisely the opposite of Jesus’ response, even at the pinnacle of His suffering.

“And Jesus called out with a loud voice, ‘Father, into Your hands I entrust My spirit.’  Saying this, He breathed His last.” Luke 23:46 (HCSB)

Whereas Job’s life was spared, Jesus’ life was not. That meant that His sacrificial atonement was complete! And we know that it pleased God to see Jesus honor Him all the way through His suffering, as evidenced by the Father’s testimony upon Jesus’ resurrection.

“Now to which of the angels has God ever said: Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies Your footstool?” Hebrews 1:13 (NIV)

“There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil.” Job 1:1 (NKJV)

I believe the two most dreaded verses in the Bible are “Turn away from Me, I never knew you” (Matthew 7:23) and “Then the Lord said to Satan, ‘Have you considered My servant...?’” (Job 1:8a)  Personally, the notion that God & Satan may be talking about ME at this very moment terrifies me! I would rather live a peaceful life, having received salvation. I would be content to simply read my Bible, share the gospel, love my family, earn an honest wage, and maybe vacation at the beach for a week every year. I would be good with that!  But my “American Dream” scenario is not found anywhere in Scripture. The reality is that the “accuser,” Satan, is always trying to convince God to condemn us.  And how does Satan know that he has a case against mankind?  Because he is the one who enticed us to sin in the first place!

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 (NKJV)

We should not be surprised at the notion that our lack of righteousness is being discussed in Heaven, nor should we be afraid. Just as we have an accuser, we also have an advocate (attorney).

“My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not.  And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” 1 John 2:1-2 (KJV)

So, Satan’s ongoing argument about the sin of God’s people (and his demand that God rebuke & cast us away) presents us with a dilemma for which we have no human solution. After all, Satan is correct in his assertion that we deserve judgment. Enter Messiah Jesus. Not only is Jesus our advocate (argues on our behalf), but He is also our “propitiation”. That is, Jesus has paid the fullness of our sin penalty, in its entirety, forever!

“Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.” Revelation 12:10 (NKJV)

Job’s name in Hebrew translates as “Hated/Persecuted.” While Job was hated and persecuted by Satan (and later also by his so-called friends), he was loved and sheltered by God. That is encouraging for us!  We should take courage that while Satan and the world may hate us as believers, God loves us!  (John 3:16)

“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.” John 15:18 (NKJV)

“And King Ahasuerus imposed tribute on the land and on the islands of the sea. Now all the acts of his power and his might, and the account of the greatness of Mordecai, to which the king advanced him, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia? For Mordecai the Jew was second to King Ahasuerus, and was great among the Jews and well received by the multitude of his brethren, seeking the good of his people and speaking peace to all his countrymen.”  Esther 10:1-3 (NKJV)

Today’s chapter, the last in the Book of Esther, is one verse away from being the shortest chapter in the entire Bible.  One might be inclined to wonder how such a short chapter could warrant much attention.  To me, Esther, chapter 10 is like the very end of a TV program.

Near the end of a television drama or sitcom, after the murder has been solved, the marriage has been restored, or the problem has been resolved, there is often a brief commercial break followed by a short segment that brings closure to the show.  If we apply this analogy to the Book of Esther, we observe the central problem of the story being resolved by 9:19.  We then watch the commercial break in 9:20-32 – an infomercial about Purim holiday celebrations.  Finally, we discover the last three verses of the book (today’s chapter), wrapping up the whole story and leaving us with both a sense of completion and a realization that life goes on as before in the Medo-Persian empire.

The Book of Esther could comfortably end with Esther’s command in 9:32, which establishes Purim as a legal holiday for the Jews.  Yet the book is not a simply passionate commercial for a holiday; it is concerned with a much larger issue – the “hidden” work of God on behalf of His people despite their spiritual condition.  Nothing can keep God from accomplishing His purposes, not even the sin of His people!  Therefore, just because God is using you to accomplish His purposes (or just because you are living a seemingly “blessed” life while pursuing a sinful one) does not necessarily mean you are in God’s favor.  It may simply mean that God is working in spite of you!

Thus, to highlight that larger issue, the author adds three seemingly innocuous verses that zero in on a tax, a book, and a person.  In actuality, these three verses are anything but innocuous.  They invite us to re-evaluate the details of the book in light of the broad thematic scope of the book.  If we see them as only a historical postscript, we miss the author’s closing comments that give the final definition to all that he has previously placed before our eyes.

So, how do we bring closure to this chapter AND this email?  How about we answer a question you may have had at the beginning of this email: What is the shortest chapter in the Bible?  It also happens to be appropriate to end this chapter.

“Praise the Lord, all nations! Glorify Him, all peoples! For His faithful love to us is great; the Lord’s faithfulness endures forever.” Psalm 117:1-2 (HCSB)

Grab your Bible & experience the Groundworks Ministries Podcast as Steve Wiggins leads us through the full chapter of Esther 9. Click the links below to watch or listen now!