JobResponds

ChapterSixteenandSeventeen

Job16:1-5“ThenJobansweredandsaid:“Ihaveheardmanysuchthings;miserablecomfortersareyouall.Shallwindywordshaveanend?Orwhatprovokesyouthatyou

answer?Ialsocouldspeakasyoudo,ifyouwereinmyplace;Icouldjoinwordstogetheragainstyouand

shakemyheadatyou.Icouldstrengthenyouwithmymouth,andthesolaceofmylipswouldassuageyour

pain.”

MiserableComforters•  Jobrespondstohisfriendsandpointsoutthattheyare“miserablecomforters”.

•  Jobonceagainattemptsexplaintohisfriendsthateveryonehas“heard”thethingsyouaretryingtocommunicate.

•  Theonlyproblemisthatthe“things”thateveryonehasheardinrelationshiptosufferingdoesnotapplytoJobbecauseJob’ssituationisuniquetohim.

•  ApersoncanalmostsensethedeepfrustrationtheJobhasatthispointinhistrialthatheisenduring.

•  Job’sfriendsinsteadofhelpingwithhissorrowfulafflictionareaddingtohissufferingthroughtheirwords.

•  “Thesesayingsoftheancientsarenotstrangetome;buttheydonotapplytomycase:yeseemeinaffliction,yeshouldendeavourtoconsoleme.Thisyedonot;andyetyepretendtodoit!Miserablecomfortersareyeall.”-Clarke,Adam

•  Jobpointedoutwhathisfriendsweredoinghealsocouldtothemiftheywereinhisshoes:“Ialsocouldspeakasyoudo,ifyouwereinmyplace”-(Vs.4)

•  Jobcouldbelikethemby:– Speakingwordsthatdestroy.-(Vs.4)– Shakinghisheadindisappointmentanddisgustattheirmisfortune.-(Vs.4)

•  OrJobcouldbenotlikehisfriendsand:– Strengthenthemwithhiswords.-(Vs.5)–  Bringcomforttothemwithwordsthatwouldrelievetheirpain.-(Vs.5)

•  “ThechiefreasonforbeingsuspiciousofthetheologyofJob’sfriendsisthatitissoobviouslylackinginmercy.”-Mason,Mike

•  OneoftheGodlyattributesthatisdevelopedintheBelieverthatcomesoutofsufferingistheabilitytobecompassionateandmercifultootherswhoaregoingthroughsufferingthemselves.

•  Insteadofbeing“miserablecomforters”inharshandjudgmentalwordsandattitudesthosewhohavesufferedareoftenmorewillingtogivecomfortandstrengthtowardsothersthatsuffer.

•  “BlessedbetheGodandFatherofourLordJesusChrist,the and ,who

usinallouraffliction,sothatwemaybeabletothosewhoareinanyaffliction,withthe

withwhichweourselvesare byGod.”-2Corinthians1:3-4

•  “Evenspiritualcomfortsarenotgivenusforourusealone;they,likeallthegiftsofGod,aregiventhattheymaybedistributed,orbecomeinstrumentsofhelptoothers.”-Clarke,Adam

ThePowerOfTheTongue•  Itissuchasmallmemberofthebodyyetweshould

thepoweritplays,eitherforgoodorevil,toeffectthelivesofothers.

•  Jamessaidinhisletterthatunlessthetongueiscontrolledithasthepowerofbeingusedtodirectormisdirectthelivesofothers(James3).

•  Godhasgivenustheabilitytocommunicateourthoughtsthroughwords.

•  Wordsthatwespeakarepowerfultobuildupapersonortodestroythesouloftheperson.

•  “Themouthoftherighteousisawelloflife,butviolencecoversthemouthofthewicked.”-Proverbs10:11

•  “Wisdomisfoundonthelipsofhimwhohasunderstanding….Whoeverhideshatredhaslyinglips,andwhoeverspreadsslanderisafool.

Thetongueoftherighteousischoicesilver;theheartofthewickedisworthlittle. ,butfoolsdieforlackofwisdom.”-Proverbs10:13,18:21

SpiritualRestoration•  WhatJob’sfriendsshouldhavedonewastrytorestoreJobin

spiritofgentlenessandhumilitynotaspritofcondemnationandsuperiority.

•  Theultimategoalisalwaysrestoration!•  “Brothers,ifanyoneiscaughtinanytransgression,youwhoare

spiritualshouldrestorehiminaspiritofgentleness.Keepwatchonyourself,lestyoutoobetempted.”-Galatians6:1

•  LettheministersoftheGospellearnfromPaulhowtodealwiththosewhohavesinned.‘Brethren,’hesays,‘ifanymanbeovertakenwithafault,donotaggravatehisgrief,donotscoldhim,donotcondemnhim,butlifthimupandgentlyrestorehisfaith.”-Luther,Martin

Job16:6-14“IfIspeak,mypainisnotassuaged,andifIforbear,howmuchofitleavesme?SurelynowGodhaswornmeout;hehasmadedesolateallmycompany.Andhehasshriveledmeup,whichisawitnessagainstme,andmyleannesshasrisenupagainstme;ittestifiestomyface.Hehastornmeinhiswrathandhatedme;hehasgnashedhisteethatme;myadversarysharpenshis

eyesagainstme.”

“Menhavegapedatmewiththeirmouth;theyhavestruckmeinsolentlyonthecheek;theymass

themselvestogetheragainstme.Godgivesmeuptotheungodlyandcastsmeintothehandsofthewicked.Iwasatease,andhebrokemeapart;heseizedmebytheneckanddashedmetopieces;hesetmeupashistarget;hisarcherssurroundme.Heslashesopenmy

kidneysanddoesnotspare;hepoursoutmygallontheground.Hebreaksmewithbreachuponbreach;he

runsuponmelikeawarrior.”

JobLaments•  OnceagainJobisinadarkplacewhereevenwordsfailtobeexpressedinawaythatbringsrelieffromhissuffering.

•  Jobfeelslikeheisstuckbetweentwooptions:IfJobspeaksandexpresseshisfeelingshefindsnorelieffromhisunsympatheticfriends;yetsilencedoesnothingtoeasehissuffering.

•  Thatisthewayitofteniswhenwearegoingthroughatrial.Wecan’tquitearticulatewhatwearetrulyexperiencinginwordsorpeoplemisunderstandwhatwetryingtosay.

Job’sConflict•  JobknewthathisstrugglewasnotwithhisfriendsbutwithGod.

•  TheconflictthatJobwasstrugglingwithwaswhyhadGodabandonedhimwhenheknewthathehaddonenothingsinfultodeservesuchsuffering.

•  OfcourseweknowthatGodhadnotabandonedhimnordoesheabandonuswhenwecan’tseehishandworkingouthisplanforourlives.

JobIsWornOut•  Jobsaysthat“Godhasworn”himoutthoughthetrialhewasexperiencing.

•  JobfeltthatGodwaspouringoutHiswrathuponhimforsomeunknownsinthathehadcommitted.

•  InJob10:2,JobwishedthatGodwouldrevealwhyHewascontendingagainsthim.

•  Job’sfriendshadfeltthatJobwasattackingGod.JobfeltthatGodwasattackinghim.

•  “HeseeshimselfastheobjectofGod’swrath.HepicturesGodasasavagebeast,huntinghimdown,andtearinghimapartlimbfromlimb.OursufferingcangiveusadistortedviewofGod,can’tit?”-Lawson,Steven

•  JobseesGodattackinghimlikeapredatorgoesaftertheweakandtired.

•  Jobdescribestheconditionofhishealthas“shriveled”and“myleannesshasrisenupagainstme;ittestifiestomyface.”

•  JobseeshimselfastheloneisolatedstragglerintheherdandGodhaszeroedinonhim.-(Vs.9)– GodhatesJobandhastornhiminhiswrath.-(Vs.9)– GodhasgnashedHisteethlikeawildanimal.-(Vs.9)– GodgrabsJobbythenecktearinghimintopieces.-(Vs.12)

–  GodisahunterandJobisthetargetofGod’sarrows.-(Vs.12,13)

– GodgutsJoblikeaslainanimal.-(Vs.13)

•  “ItisinfinitelypainfultoJobthatGodisnowinexplicablyactinglikeanenemy…OnlyaliteraltranslationcandojusticetothesavageryofJob’sdescriptionofGod’sviciousattack.Heislikeaferociousbeast(16:9f.),atraitor(16:11),awrestler(16:12a,b),anarcher(12c,13a),aswordsman(13b,14).”-Andersen,Francis

•  ElsewhereinJobhereferstoGodashisRedeemer(19:25),hishope(13:15),andhissalvation(13:16).

•  Itishumantovacillateinouremotionswhenundergoingatrial.JobteachesusthatIt’sO.K.tobehuman!

ATypeOfChrist•  SomepeopleseeJobasatypeforJesusinchaptera16.

•  TypesarepicturesorobjectlessonsbywhichGodhastaughtHisredemptiveplan.Theyareashadowofthingstocome.(Col.2:17)DakeBible

•  JobisseentobeatypeforthesufferingthatJesuswouldendureduringHisowntrial.

•  “OurSaviourwassoservedaccordingtotheletter;theygapeduponhim,mowedathim,buffetedhimontheface,gatheredthemselvestogetheragainsthim,ashere.HencesomeoftheancientscallJobafigureandtypeofChrist,whowasthusdealtwithbothliterallyandalsofiguratively.”-Trapp,John

Job16:15-17“Ihavesewedsackclothuponmyskinandhavelaid

mystrengthinthedust.Myfaceisredwithweeping,andonmyeyelidsisadeepdarkness,althoughthereisnoviolenceinmyhands,

andmyprayerispure.”

PurePrayer•  JobsaysthathisprayerissingularlyfocuseduponGodandGodalone.

•  JobisindeepmourningoverthelossofhisFriend.

•  JobcannotunderstandwhathehasdonethathisFriendwouldturnonhimandattackhim.

•  “Thereisonethingthathewillnotletgo–thetestimonyofhisconscience,thathehaslivedasthefriendofGod,notashisenemy.Heiscertainthathedoesnotbelongtotheclasswhosesinsandpunishmenthisfriendshavesetbeforehimforawarning.Tothiscertaintyheclingsastoaplankinthedevouringwaves.Deepishisanguish,butheisconscience-free.”-Bradley

Job16:18-22“Oearth,covernotmyblood,andletmycryfindnorestingplace.Evennow,behold,mywitnessisinheaven,andhewhotestifiesformeisonhigh.Myfriendsscornme;myeyepoursouttearstoGod,

thathewouldarguethecaseofamanwithGod,asasonofmandoeswithhisneighbor.ForwhenafewyearshavecomeIshallgothewayfromwhichIshall

notreturn.”

Blood•  Jobmakesaclaimthatifheweretodiebeforebeingvindicatedthathisbloodwouldcryoutfromtheearth.

•  ThisiswhatGodsaidtoCainabouthisbrotherAbel:“AndtheLORDsaid,“Whathaveyoudone?Thevoiceofyourbrother’s iscryingtomefromtheground.”-Genesis4:10

•  JustasAbelwaskilledforbeingrighteousandhisbloodcriedoutforvindicationsoalsowillJob’sbloodcryoutafterheisdead.

GodisJob’sWitness•  AfewversesbeforeshowedJob’smentalandspiritualstateasdespairingtowardsGodWhoisattackinghiminHiswrath.

•  NowGodisJob’sadvocateWhotestifiesonbehalfofJob.•  GodisgoingtoargueonJob’sbehalflikeaman“doeswithhisneighbor”.

•  InanticipationoftheMessiah,Jobessentiallysaid:“Christ,whoisGodandman,willpleadmycausewithhisFather;hecanprevail,becauseheisGodequaltotheFather;hewillundertakeit,becausehewillbemanliketome.”-Trapp,John

•  JobhadfaithinGodashisRedeemer,hissalvationandhishopewhichmayhavebroughthimalittlecomfortduringhistrial.

•  WeasBelieverstodayhavesomuchmoreavailabletousinlightofthefinishedworkofJesusandHisascensiontotherighthandofGodwhereHeintercedescontinuallyonourbehalf(1John2:1-2;Hebrews7:25)

JesusIsOurPropitiation•  Thereareonlytwooptions:

1.  ApersoncanstandbeforetheholyGodoftheuniverseandpresenthisworksbeforeHimonhisown.

2.  ApersoncanstandbeforetheholyGodoftheuniverseandletJesusadvocateonhisbehalf.

•  “ForHemadeHimwhoknewnosintobesinforus,thatwemightbecometherighteousnessofGodinHim.”-2Corinthians5:21

•  Thekeyworldis“propitiation”foroursins.BeforeJesus,theofferingwasmadetocoversin,butafterJesus’deathandresurrectionoursinsnowhavebeennotonlycoveredbutmadevoid.

•  “ThisistheeffectoftheshedbloodofChrist:ithassatisfiedallDivineclaimsagainstus,andhasredeemedusfromsinuntoGod,separatingusuntoGodforeverwithanabsolute,infinitetie.”-Newell

FivePartsToOurSalvation1.  Christ’spropitiatoryworktowardGodthroughHisblood:bearingthe

guiltandcondemnationofoursins.2.  Christ’sidentificationwithusasconnectedwithAdam,“becomingsinfor

us,”and“ouroldman”beingcrucifiedwithChrist.3.  TheHolySpirit’swholeworkinus,as“theSpiritofgrace,”involving

conviction,regeneration,andsanctification.4.  Christ’spresentworkinHeaven;Intercedingforusshouldwesin,asour

AdvocatewiththeFather.5.  Christ’ssecondcomingtoredeemourbodies,andreceiveustoHimself

inglory:TheRapture.•  Newell

Job17:1-2“Myspiritisbroken;mydaysareextinct;

thegraveyardisreadyforme.Surelytherearemockersaboutme,

andmyeyedwellsontheirprovocation.”

Job’sSpiritIsBroken•  Inchapter16,Jobdescribehimselfasbeing“wornout”bythetrialthathewasenduring.

•  Hecontinuestodescribehismentalandspiritualstateasbeing“broken”inspirit.

•  Jobsensesatthispointthatdeathisknockingonthedoor.Hesaysthathis“daysareextinct”.

•  Job’sfriendscouldn’tconvinceJoboftheirtheologythat“sinalwayscausessufferingandrighteouspeopledonotsuffer”insteadtheybecamedogmaticandaddedtoJob’smiseryby“mocking”him.

Job17:3-5“Laydownapledgeformewithyou;whoistherewhowillputupsecurityforme?Sinceyouhave

closedtheirheartstounderstanding,thereforeyouwillnotletthemtriumph.Hewhoinformsagainsthisfriendstogetashareoftheirpropertytheeyes

ofhischildrenwillfail.”

JobSeeksGod•  TheMessageBibleisusefulinthiscasetogetthegistofJob’s

meaninginverse3,“OGod,pledgeyoursupportforme.Giveittomeinwriting,withyoursignature”.-Petersen,Eugene

•  JobcriedouttoGodtomakethingsrightintheirrelationshipthatJobbelievedhehadlostwithGod.Hisfriendswon’tcometohisdefensesoJobasksGodtoo.

•  ThiswouldbeanewideatoJob’sfriendsthatbelieveditwasJob’sresponsibilitytorepentandmakethingsrightbetweenhimselfandGod.

•  InJob’stheologyGodistheinitiatorofrestorationbetweenmanandGod;inJob’sfriend’stheologymanistobetheinitiatorofrestoration.

GodSearchesForMan•  AdamandEve’sbrokenfellowshipwithGodsetthestandardforall

mankindwhosinagainstGod.•  Theguiltandshamethatpeoplefeelwhenoutofrelationshipwith

GoddrivesthemtohidefromHimeventhoughHeseeseverything.•  “AndtheyheardthesoundoftheLORDGodwalkinginthegardenin

thecooloftheday,andthemanandhiswifehidthemselvesfromthepresenceoftheLORDGodamongthetreesofthegarden.AndAdamsaid,“I thesoundofyouinthegarden,andIwas ,becauseIwasnaked,andI myself.”-Genesis3:8,10

•  AdamheardGodbutdidnotrespond.•  “ButGod,whoisrichinmercy,becauseofHisgreatlove

withwhichHelovedus…”(Ephesians2:4)callsouttomanwithadeepconcernformanandhispositionbeforeHim.

•  ButtheLORDGod tothemanandsaidtohim,“ ?”-Genesis3:9

•  “Why,whenIcame,wastherenoman?Why,whenIcalled,wastherenonetoanswer?”-Isaiah50:2

•  “TheLORDlooksdownfromheavenuponthechildrenofmen,toseeifthereareanywhounderstand,

.Theyhaveallturnedaside,theyhavetogetherbecomecorrupt;thereisnonewhodoesgood,no,notone.”-Psalm14:2-3

•  “fortheSonofManhascome andtosavethatwhichwaslost.”-Luke19:10

•  ItiseasiertohideandnotconfrontGodwithwherewearebecauseitcanbeverypainfultoacknowledgeoursinbutthereisnootherwayforhealingtotakeplace.

•  Therewereconsequencesforman’sFallbutGoddidnotmaninsteadHe theconversationandformanthroughtheofferingofskinstocoverthem

which manintoarightrelationship.•  TheLordmadethefirstbloodysacrificeHimselftorestorethe

relationshipwithman.•  ThisdemonstratesthatGodisamerciful,gracious,and

compassionateGod.Wholovesmanandprovidesrighteousnessforhimevenwhenmanisathisworst.

ClosedHearts•  JobbelievesthatGodhasclosedhisfriends“heartsto

understanding”.•  Wehaveallheardthephrase“closedmind”buta“closedheart”is

aninterestingidea.•  PaulprayedinEphesians,“thattheGodofourLordJesusChrist,

theFatherofglory,maygiveyoutheSpiritofwisdomandofrevelationintheknowledgeofhim,

…”-Ephesians1:17,18•  Theword‘heart’inScripturesignifiestheverycoreandcentreof

life,wheretheintelligencehasitspostofobservation,wherethestoresofexperiencearelaidup,andthethoughtshavetheirfountain.”(Alford)

•  “Butwhatdoesitsay?“Thewordisnearyou,inyourmouthandinyourheart”(thatis,thewordoffaiththatweproclaim);because,ifyouconfesswithyourmouththatJesusisLord

thatGodraisedhimfromthedead,youwillbesaved.Forwiththe andisjustified,andwiththemouthoneconfessesandissaved.”-Romans10:9-10

•  Apersonwhobelievesinhisheartdoesn’tsimplyknowcertainfactsabouttheBiblebuthebelievestotheverycoreofhisbeinginthepromisesofGodandtrustshislifewiththosepromises.

•  Job’sunderstandingatthispointisthatGodhasblindedhisfriendsintheirheartwhichaffectedtheirunderstanding.ThemouthwillconfesswhattheheartunderstandsandthemouthofJob’sfriendsareconfessingtheirblindness.

AProverb•  “Verse5isaproverb.Jobwasremindinghiscounselorsofthedireconsequencesofslander.”-Smick,Elmer

•  Slanderisanaccusationwickedlyutteredwiththesolepurposeoreffectofruiningthereputationofanother.

•  ItusuallyinvolvessayingfalsestatementsaboutanindividualhoweverBiblically,itcanalsoinvolvesayingtruthfulthingsthatruinthereputationofsomeone.

Job17:6-9“Hehasmademeabywordofthepeoples,

andIamonebeforewhommenspit.Myeyehasgrowndimfromvexationandallmymembersarelikeashadow.Theuprightareappalledatthis,andtheinnocentstirshimselfupagainstthegodless.Yet

therighteousholdstohisway,andhewhohascleanhandsgrowsstrongerandstronger.”

LossOfDignity•  Jobspeaksofhishumiliationandlossofdignity.

•  Peoplewhisperabouthisconditionandlookuponhimwithdisgust.

•  JobonceagainplacesGodatthecenterofhistrialholdingHimresponsibleforthelossofdignityheisnowexperiencing.

TheRighteousPerson•  JobsaystherighteouspersonisappalledbythenotionthatGod

iscausingJob’shumiliation.•  ThewordthatJobusesfor“appalled”literallymeansto

“stunnedinhorror”likeadeerinheadlights.Job’sfriendsareinhisviewasamongthosewhoarestunnedbythisrighteousman’saffliction.

•  “Ourownhumiliationisinevitable.Thefrailtyofhumanityandthefallennatureofthisworldcombinetogethertomakethehumiliationofmancertain,yetitmaycomeinmanyforms.Ourhumiliationmaycometousthroughourownsin,throughourownweaknesses,throughcircumstancesbeyondourcontrol,orbywhatothersputuponus.”-Guzik,David

•  JobandhisfriendsdisagreedtothereasonthathewassufferingbutbothagreedthatGodhadhishandinthesituation.

•  NomatterthedirenessofanysituationwecanhavehopethatGodisalwaysgoodandhashislovinghandincontrolofourlives.

•  “Myafflictionsandcalamitieshavebecomeasubjectofgeneralconversation,sothatmypovertyandafflictionareproverbial.AspoorasJob,AsafflictedasJob,areproverbsthathaveevenreachedourtimesandarestillinuse.”–Clarke,Adame

•  Jobdeepinhisheartbelieveshimselftobeinnocentand“holdstohisway”andknowsthatGodwillrestorehim.

•  “InseveraloftheseversesJobissupposedtospeakpropheticallyofhisfuturerestoration,andofthegoodwhichreligioussocietyshouldderivefromthehistoryofhisoriginalaffluence,consequentpovertyandaffliction,andfinalrestorationtohealth,peace,andprosperity.”-Clarke,Adame

•  “YouhaveheardofthesteadfastnessofJob,andyouhaveseenthepurposeoftheLord,howtheLordiscompassionateandmerciful.”-James5:11

HoldingTotheWay•  “YoushallholdonyourwaybecauseJesusholdsyouinhis

stronghand.HeisyourShepherd;Hehasvanquishedallyourfoes,andyoushallneverperish.”

•  “YoushallholdonyourwaybecausetheFatherhasdesignedthroughyoutoglorifyHisSon;andtheremustbenogapsinhiscrownwherejewelsoughttobe.”

•  “YoushallholdonyourwaybecausetheHolySpirithasdesignedtomakeyouhisresidenceandhome;andHeiswithinyoutheperennialspringofaholylife.”-Meyer,F.B.

Job17:10-16“Butyou,comeonagain,allofyou,andIshallnotfindawisemanamongyou.Mydaysarepast;myplansarebrokenoff,thedesiresofmyheart.Theymakenightintoday:‘Thelight,’theysay,‘isneartothedarkness.’IfIhopeforSheolasmyhouse,ifI

makemybedindarkness,”

“ifIsaytothepit,‘Youaremyfather,’andtothe

worm,‘Mymother,’or‘Mysister,’wherethenismyhope?Whowillseemyhope?WillitgodowntothebarsofSheol?Shallwedescendtogetherintothe

dust?”

JobNeedsHope•  Jobissensinghopelessnessinhissituation.•  Hesaysthehis,“…plansarebrokenoff,thedesiresofmyheart.”-(Vs.11)

•  Jobisfeelingthathis“daysarepast”andthepurposefulplansthathehadforhislifehavecomeupempty.

•  JobisechoingwhatIbelievemanyindividualsinthisworldexperienceasdaysaregoingby.

•  ThereLordhasbuiltintotheuniversesincetheFallalevelofdiscontentmentthatshoulddrivepeopletoseekHimbutcanalsodrivepeopleawayfromHim.

•  “Forthecreationwassubjectedto ,notwillingly,butbecauseofhimwhosubjectedit,inhope”-Romans8:20

DelightInTheLord•  “DelightyourselfintheLORD,andhewillgiveyouthe

.”-Psalm37:4•  ObviouslywhenPsalm34:4,saysthatGodwillgiveusour“desires”itdoesn’tmeanthatGodalignsHisdesireforourlifewithourdesires.

•  GodisthesourceofourcreationthereforewebecomefulfilledwhenwealignourdesireswithHisdesireforourlife.

•  PlansbasedonourowndesiresoutsideofGod’splanwillleadtodiscontentment.

•  Hereiscommentsaboutthephrase“DelightyourselfintheLord”:

•  “Expectallthyhappinessfromhim,andseekitinhim.”-Clarke,Adame

•  “Itincludesadeliberateredirectionofone’semotions…[suchas]PaulandSilasinprison,singingaswellaspraying.”-Kidner,Derek

•  “Wecannotdelightthuswithouteffort.Wemustwithdrawoureagerdesiresfromthethingsofearth,fasteningandfixingthemonHim.”–Meyer,F.B.

•  “Inacertainsenseimitatethewicked;theydelightintheirportion—takecaretodelightinyours,andsofarfromenvyingyouwillpitythem.”-Spurgeon,Charles

•  “ThereasonmanyapparentChristiansdonotdelightinGodisthattheydonotknowhimverywell,andthereasontheydonotknowhimverywellisthattheydonotspendtimewithhim.”-Boice,JamesMontgomery

•  “Donotthinkfirstofthedesiresofthyheart,butthinkfirstofdelightingthyselfinthyGod.IfthouhastacceptedhimasthyLord,heisthine;sodelightinhim,andthenhewillgivetheethedesiresofthyheart.”-Spurgeon,Charles

•  HaveastubbornfixeddelightinGodevenifyouhavenofeelingsorenergytodosoandtheLordwillmakeHisdesiresourdesires.

JobAndHope•  JobasksthequestionofGod:“wherethenismyhope?”.-(Vs.

15).•  BiblicalhopeisaconfidenceandanexpectationthatwhatGod

haspromisedandsaidwillcometopass.Itisdifferentthantheworldsideaofhopeinpeople,inthings,orinwealthbutishopeinthecreatorandsustaineroftheuniverse.

•  “Remembermyafflictionandmywanderings,thewormwoodandthegall!Mysoulcontinuallyremembersitandisboweddownwithinme.ButthisIcalltomind,andthereforeIhavehope:ThesteadfastloveoftheLORDneverceases;hismerciesnevercometoanend;theyareneweverymorning;greatisyourfaithfulness.“TheLORDismyportion,”saysmysoul,thereforeIwillhopeinhim.”-Lamentations3:19-24

•  Jeremiahsaysthatwhenhefocusesontheafflictionhissouliscastdownwithinhim,butwhenhe“callstomind”themerciesofGodhehashope.

•  “IlovethewaythepsalmistswrestleandfightandstruggletomaintaintheirhopeinGod.ThisisanormalChristianexperiencewhilewearestilljustsavedsinners.Andwebetterownuptoit,orelsewemaygrowsluggishandnegligentinourfightforhope.Andthatisverydangerous”.-Piper,John

•  JobisfightingwitheveryounceofenergyhehastomaintainhopeintheLordwhichaccordingtoPiperisa“normalexperience”inaFallenworld.