Nothing to Hide

Job 31:1-40

Read
"Have I put my trust in money or felt secure because of my gold? Have I gloated about my wealth and all that I own? "Have I looked at the sun shining in the skies, or the moon walking down its silver pathway, and been secretly enticed in my heart to throw kisses at them in worship? If so, I should be punished by the judges, for it would mean I had denied the God of heaven. "Have I ever rejoiced when disaster struck my enemies, or become excited when harm came their way? No, I have never sinned by cursing anyone or by asking for revenge. "My servants have never said, 'He let others go hungry.' I have never turned away a stranger but have opened my doors to everyone. "Have I tried to hide my sins like other people do, concealing my guilt in my heart? Have I feared the crowd or the contempt of the masses, so that I kept quiet and stayed indoors?" (Job 31:24-34)

Reflect
Job affirmed that depending on wealth for happiness is idolatry and denies the God of heaven. We excuse society's obsession with money and possessions as a necessary evil or "the way it works" in the modern world. But every society in every age has valued the power and prestige that money brings. God's people must purge themselves of the deep-seated desire for more power, prestige, and possessions. They must also not withhold their resources from neighbors near and far who have desperate physical needs. Job declared that he did not try to hide his sin as people often do. The fear that our sins will be discovered leads us to habits of deception. We cover up with lies so that we will appear good to others. But we cannot hide from God.

Respond
Do you try to keep people from seeing the real you? When you acknowledge your sins, you free yourself to receive forgiveness and new life.

Not Knowing Why

Job 33:1-33

Read
"So why are you bringing a charge against him? Why say he does not respond to people's complaints?" (Job 33:13)

Reflect
Being informed brings a sense of security. It's natural to want to know what's happening in our lives. Job wanted to know what was going on and why he was suffering. In previous chapters, we sense his frustration. Elihu claimed to have the answer for Job's biggest question, "Why doesn't God tell me what is happening?" Elihu told Job that God was trying to answer him, but Job was not listening. Elihu misjudged God on this point. If God were to answer all our questions, we would not be adequately tested. What if God had said, "Job, Satan's going to test you and afflict you, but in the end you'll be healed and get everything back"? Job's greatest test was not the pain; it was not knowing why he was suffering. Our greatest test may be that we must trust God's goodness even though we don't understand why our lives are going a certain way. We must learn to trust in God, who is good, and not in the goodness of life.

Respond
What questions are you facing today? Have you considered that perhaps those questions are part of what God is doing? What would it take for you to trust God without knowing the answers to your questions? Are you willing to get to that place?