Reading through the Bible in 2020: Notes from the Bible Recap Day 6

Reading through the Bible in 2020
Bible Recap Day 6 Job 10-13
Personal notes from reading Job 10-13
Job’s defense definitely acknowledges his belief in God as his creator and that God is powerful and mighty.  But he is nonetheless confused by his suffering and he doesn’t mind expressing it. He’s upset. He’s hurt. Job is confident in his innocence, but he’s so emotionally fragile.  Unfortunately, instead of having a friend who just listens and supports and prays, he has a friend who is only focused on figuring out what Job did to receive this horrid punishment.  I believe that his friend, Zophar, is well meaning, but oh good gosh, he’s completely out of line in how he’s “supporting” Job. I need to remember never to be a Zophar kind of friend.
But this is what I LOVE about this passage: Job, even in a fragile state of being, is able to speak frankly with his friend.  He lets Zophar know that he can’t speak on God’s behalf. Job lets him know that his own knowledge and understanding is as great as his friend’s.  He’s not inferior. Then, Job full-on just tells his friend to leave him alone. I can certainly learn from Job here. I have a hard time standing up to friends sometimes.  It’s actually easier to stand up to strangers. I too easily take the counsel of people, when I should be seeking God. I am completely inspired by Job’s confidence. As broken and crushed as he is here, he doesn’t give in to something that’s not right.  
And this is my favorite part of today’s reading:
Though He slay me, yet will I trust in him.. - Job 13:15a
Let me say that again in my own words.  No matter what trials, no matter what sorrows, no matter what pain; even at death’s door, I will trust in my God with all my heart!
Notes from the Bible Recap Job 10-13
Even though Zolphar was wrong about a lot of things in his counsel to Job, there were some things that were still points that we could learn from and think about. God exacts less of us than what we deserve.  Yes sir! We aren’t deserving. And still He exacts less from us. He shows us mercy and grace that we don’t deserve even one bit!  
Resist the urge to reach conclusions about God based on what you think someone deserves.  We don’t deserve a single thing. We aren’t entitled to a single thing.
God is our hope.  Job knew where his hope was, even if he didn’t understand why he was in the midst of suffering.  He knew the mercy of God was his only salvation. That is the most beautiful truth! The undeserving mercy of my God is my hope.  He sent His only Son to pay my debt. His mercy is my only salvation.


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