*Scripture: Job 31:1-12, 33-40 (NKJV)* 1 "I have made a covenant with my eyes; Why then should I look upon a young woman? 2 For what is the allotment of God from above, and the inheritance of the Almighty from on high? 3 Is it not destruction for the wicked, and disaster for the workers of iniquity? 4 Does He not see my ways, and count all my steps? 5 If I have walked with falsehood, or if my foot has hastened to deceit, 6 let me be weighed on honest scales, that God may know my integrity. 7 If my step has turned from the way, or my heart walked after my eyes, or if any spot adheres to my hands, 8 Then let me sow, and another eat; Yes, let my harvest be rooted out. 9 If my heart has been enticed by a woman, or if I have lurked at my neighbor's door, 10 Then let my wife grind for another, and let others bow down over her. 11 For that would be wickedness; Yes, it would be iniquity deserving of judgment. 12 For that would be a fire that consumes to destruction, and would root out all my increase.
33 "If I have covered my transgressions as Adam, by hiding my iniquity in my bosom, 34 Because I feared the great multitude, and dreaded the contempt of families, so that I kept silence and did not go out of the door--35 oh, that I had one to hear me! Here is my mark. Oh, that the Almighty would answer me, that my Prosecutor had written a book! 36 Surely I would carry it on my shoulder, and bind it on me like a crown; 37 I would declare to Him the number of my steps; Like a prince I would approach Him. 38 If my land cries out against me, and its furrows weep together; 39 If I have eaten its fruit without money, or caused its owners to lose their lives; 40 Then let thistles grow instead of wheat, and weeds instead of barley." The words of Job are ended. *Devotion* Even though Job had done many righteous works before God, he was still suffering. Good works done in faith do not save us from suffering in this life. Job was a "good" man but he was still a sinner. "But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:7-9) In our own tribulations we still must trust not in our own worthiness, but in God's mercy, which is revealed in Christ's bloody death on a Cross and glorious resurrection. It is only in Christ that we are thereby strengthened to remain steadfast in true faith, trusting that we too will ultimately see our Redeemer with our own eyes, even during the greatest suffering. Through Jesus' blood and merit I am at peace with God; What, then, can daunt my spirit, however dark my road? My courage shall not fail me, for God is on my side; Though Hell itself assail me, its rage I may deride. (TLH 372:1) Call Send SMS Add to Skype You'll need Skype CreditFree via Skype
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