Job 39 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read Job 39.  The LORD is speaking.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/job/39/1/s_475001

Meditate on verses 9a, 11a, and 12.

 

Will the wild ox consent to serve you? 

Will you trust him because his strength

 is great?  Will you have faith in him that he

 will return your grain and gather

 it from your threshing floor?

 

The LORD asks Job fourteen questions about eight different animals: mountain goats, deer, wild donkeys, wild oxen, ostriches, horses, hawks, and eagles.  “What do you really know about any of these animals, Job, and would you put your faith and trust in them?  Who knows everything about these animals, Job, and will you put your faith and trust in Me?”

 

In the midst of Job’s misery, God uses creation to teach Job Who He is and to counter the counsel of Job’s friends who encouraged Job to earn God’s favor by doing righteous deeds like feeding the hungry and caring for orphans and widows (Job 8:5-6; 11:13-19; 22:7, 9).  God wants Job to recognize works-based, self-reliant religion is as effective as putting his faith in a wild ox. 

 

In the midst of suffering, continue to put your faith in God, trusting His strength to carry you through the trial.  Putting your faith in wild donkeys and wild oxen will only get you kicked.   

 

Use the words from Job 39:11-12 and 17 to pray over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

 

“LORD, ___________ and I trust You because Your strength

is great.  We leave our labor to You. 

LORD, we have been threshed,

but we have faith in You to gather and return

 what is on the threshing floor of our lives.

 Do not let us forget wisdom;

 please give us a share of understanding.

In Your name, Jesus~”

 

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, 4 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell