“My harp plays sad music, and my flute accompanies those who weep” (Job 30:31 NLT) The grief that covered Job like a cloud affected even his ear for music. The harp, a stringed instrument, was often employed by David to lighten the mood of King Saul. It was an instrument used in worship and in
“For I have stayed on God’s paths; I have followed his ways and not turned aside. I have not departed from his commands, but have treasured his words more than daily food” (Job 23:11-12 NLT). Job lived during the time of the patriarchs, before the written Word was given through Moses. Yet he knew the
“How can your empty clichés comfort me? All your explanations are lies!” (Job 21:34 NLT). On top of all of Job’s grief he had to suffer the futile comfort of his so-called friends. Job had lost his children, his wealth and even his own health, yet those who came to pay their respects had no
“But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last. And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God!” (Job 19:25-26 NLT). Long before Christ came to redeem us from our sin, Job already looked for such a “Redeemer.” Job placed
“Can the dead live again? If so, this would give me hope through all my years of struggle” (Job 14:14 NLT). The grief-stricken Job asked, “Is there life after death?” Or more specifically, “Is there a resurrection of the dead?” Those facing the grief of death have joined Job throughout the centuries asking the same
“If only there were a mediator between us, someone who could bring us together” (Job 9:33 NLT). Job viewed God as so great and transcendent as to be unapproachable by man. For God worked in the realm of the heavens and the stormy seas, while man was limited to dry ground. He reasoned that if
“One should be kind to a fainting friend, but you accuse me without any fear of the Almighty” (Job 6:14 NLT). Job’s friends came to share his grief, but ended up adding to his despair. They came to sit with Job after a series of terrible events had occurred. A hurricane had collapsed his oldest
“I came naked from my mother’s womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord!” (Job 1:21 NLT). Job worshiped the Lord both in happiness and in the midst of suffering. He recognized that all
“Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” (1 Corinthians 13:7 NLT). Paul’s love chapter (1 Cor. 13) is one of the most wonderful descriptions of “agape” love found in any literature in human history. Yet, love’s lofty attributes are beyond mortal humanity absent the Spirit which inspired
“But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. How strange a body would be if it had only one part! Yes, there are many parts, but only one body” (1 Corinthians 12:18-20 NLT). It is the Lord that gives out spiritual gifts to those who have