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TAKE UP THE CHALLENGE

Jesus taught that all scripture testifies about him so that in him we might have life (John 5v39-40). King David taught that it is only by living according to God's word that we're kept on the right path (Psalm 119v9). What then could be better than reading the entire Bible? Click the menu to read about the program, choose a month or Bible book - or just work through the blog posts day by day.

(206) 25 July : Proverbs 15v15 / Job 32-34 / Psalm 49v7-11

BEGIN WITH PRAYER
"Lord open my eyes and my heart."

Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, your family, your church and the world. 

Wisdom to chew on

Understanding to grow in
Elihu is regarded as wiser than the others. That doesn't mean his answer is entirely apt. But God does not express anger towards him in 42v7-9. And two things stand out in his reply. First, is a degree of humility and tenderness in seeking to counsel his friend. (33v6-7). Second, is a concern to counter any sense that God acts unjustly. That is where Job had gone wrong. Rightly confident he was not being punished for sin, he implied God was not doing what was just. But the mystery of suffering is that God remains just, even though the distribution of suffering seems to us so unjust and unfair. We must hold to this when we suffer. We may not know why we suffer. But the reason cannot be that God does what is wrong. And as Christians we can be confident of this because we see God's goodness and justice displayed in Christ. As you read note the reasons we are given by Elihu for knowing God is just.
Job 32-34

Finish this reading by pausing to ask yourself:
1) What’s the main thing it teaches me about God or his purposes in Christ? Then praise him for this.
2) What’s the main thing it teaches me about his will for me or the world? Then pray that home.

Devotion to offer up
You could read this aloud and perhaps as a springboard to further prayer.