February 12 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Devotional

There are times when we have a hard time trying to come to grips with perplexing and complex questions in the middle of upsetting situations. Our hearts are filled with grief, hurt, disappointment and confusion. Any attempt to come to terms with such circumstances without taking into account God’s counsel and plan will surely send us over the edge. It does not take much to lose sight of God’s goodness when times are bad. We get bogged down and forget what the Lord told us. We gladly accept the good God gives, yet forget that the Lord has our good in mind when we suffer.

In their common grief Job and his wife had to cope with similar questions. Nevertheless, Job rejects his wife’s reaction. He replies, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks.” A foolish person leaves God outside of the picture and refuses to accept what comes forth from His hand. Job’s wife should know better than to speak the way she does. Job is candid with his wife because she speaks like one who does not know God. The consequences of her reasoning are far worse than any form of adversity. Job’s reproof of his wife is also an appeal to her. He says, “Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” All things come to us from the hand of a loving Father who disciplines us for our good (Hebrews 12:10).

By rebuking his wife, Job assists his spouse in all good things. His reaction is an example to all Christian husbands and wives. In marriage there needs to be an open exchange of spiritual knowledge and encouragement. There ought to be a willingness to admonish each other to stand firm in the Lord. Husbands and wives are to remind each other that they will receive God’s aid and protection, even when they least expect it.

We do not hear the answer Job’s wife gives him. Obviously, God had the ability to change her! But this was written for us. The focus must swing away from her to our lives. God wishes to see the power of His sovereign grace at work in us. That power is Satan’s defeat. Therefore hold on to your integrity, even in your darkest hour. Encourage others who are struggling to hold on tightly to what they have in Christ.