This post is Day 12 in a series of studies about “Hope”. I strongly suggest you begin with the introduction to this study, please click here to read it.

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Hope – Day 12

Job had three friends who were constantly present during his sufferings. They gave what they considered to be good advice, and much of it as we read it, seems to be good. Basically Job was confident that he had followed the laws of God to the best of his ability.

Job 11:18-19

You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety. You will lie down, with no one to make you afraid, and many will court your favour.

The Thought

The word “hope” is used 18 times in the long detailed 42 chapters of Job, we looked at one verse yesterday, a verse telling us of Job’s depression and wish to die. Today we have words from one of his friends: Zophar.

Job had three friends who were constantly present during his sufferings. They gave what they considered to be good advice, and much of it as we read it, seems to be good. Basically Job was confident that he had followed God’s laws to the best of his ability, and he had. God said so Himself in the first chapter, when He bragged about His servant Job who was blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil (Job 1:8).

Before the end of Job’s story, God reprimands the three friends who, although trying to help Job, would have been better to keep their advice to themselves, and listen to Job, who really was a fine example of a God fearing servant.

Action

Think today about friends who give you advice. Do you listen, or do you have some to whom you say, “Thank you, but no thanks!”? Do you have certain ones you would go to in times of need, or to be encouraged?

It appears that Job’s friends spoke from their own thoughts without consulting The Lord. We are all inclined to do that in times of crisis. We either speak from experience thinking that God works the same way in all things, or we express our feelings in the way we hope God will work.

Read some of Job today and imagine yourself in his situation. Praise God that He meets all your needs, and that The Bible is full of good advice.

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