- He has torn me in his wrath and hated me; he has gnashed his teeth at me; my adversary sharpens his eyes against me. Job 16:9 – Job here didn’t believe that God hated him, just that he was being dealt with as if God did. The trouble and pain that was ever present in Job’s story looked like it was the result of God’s hatred, the result of an adversary working against him. Yet is Job here thinking God is this adversary? His friends? Satan? It’s not fully clear exactly where Job’s head is at in the moment, but when we are in moments like these we must remember who the real adversary is. When our life looks like it’s the result of someone hating us, know it isn’t God who is giving out the hatred. He deeply loves you, but Satan does hate you. He wants to destroy your life and make you believe God is the one pouring out the hate. Don’t allow that lie of Satan be one you take to heart. Life can be immensely difficult, but it’s never difficult because God is pouring out His hatred on you. Remember who is the real adversary to your story. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1468
- I also could speak as you do, if you were in my place; I could join words together against you and shake my head at you. I could strengthen you with my mouth, and the solace of my lips would assuage your pain. Job 16:4-5 – Job is now responding back to his miserable comforters. He makes it known that if the roles were reversed, and they were the ones in such deep pain, he too could speak like they do. He could say condemning words, he could speak without learning about their situation, he could shake his head in disgust at them. Yet, he wouldn’t do that. Now that he has tasted this depth of hurt, he understands the value of using his mouth to strengthen those in pain and to use his words to make their pain less intense. This is a one of the precious things that can come out of our own hardship we walk through in life, a compassion for others in pain. When we’ve tasted the depth of pain this world can bring, we also gain an understanding of how precious an encouraging word is or how a loving, non-judgmental hug can be exactly what is needed. Whatever you longed for from others in your times of pain, be sure to give that out to others in their pain. No, you may not have been shown grace, love, or kind words like you should have, but that doesn’t mean we have the right to withhold it from others when they are in pain. Remember how God has shown grace and love towards us when we didn’t deserve it. Rather than letting the miserable comforters of your pain dictate how you love others in their pain, allow Jesus to be the example you follow. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2641
Daily DEVO 