How would you like to read through God's Love Letter—His Word, the Bible, with a group of like-minded, Christian girlfriends? We're doing that over in the private, Sweeter Than Honey, Facebook group. Did you know you don't have to start a Bible reading plan on January 1? You can begin today! This simple plan, and an accountability partner, will help you succeed. Who will be your accountability partner? Share this post with them and invite them to the private Facebook group.
Sweeter Than Honey is patterned after this Bible Reading Itinerary. On Tuesdays, here at the blog, I would love it if you and I could take a trip through God's Word and Sweeter Than Honey, together! I would also encourage you to Join us over in the private, Sweeter Than Honey, Facebook group, introduce yourself, meet new friends, and share your thoughts there as well. We're waiting for you!
Job 40-42: But Now My Eye Sees You
In Job chapter 40, God continues to speak to Job. He speaks to him of the might of the Behemoth and the Leviathan. He reminds Job that He created these beasts, just as He created Job. In Job 41:10-11, God asks Job, “…Who then is he who can stand before Me? Who has first given to Me, that I should repay him? Whatever is under the whole Heaven is Mine.“
Then we read Job's confession and repentance in chapter 42: “I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted. Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge? Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. Hear, and I will speak; I will question You, and You make it known to me. I had heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes” (42:2-6).
Job knows that nothing is impossible for God. Nothing! He knows that what God purposes cannot be undone by man. He realizes now, that he did not understand God at the beginning of his trials as he understands Him now at the end. Trials are like that. They can help us know God better.
I love what Job says next, “I had heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You” (42:5). Isn’t that what trials are all about? We hear of God, we read of Him in His Word, but it’s through the trials of life that we really see Him clearly. This is where we begin to understand God.
In the end, the Lord restores Job's fortunes giving him twice what he had before his trials began.
“And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends. And the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. Then came to him all his brothers and sisters and all who had known him before, and ate bread with him in his house. And they showed him sympathy and comforted him for all the evil that the Lord had brought upon him. And each of them gave him a piece of money and a ring of gold. And the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning. And he had 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 yoke of oxen, and 1,000 female donkeys. He had also seven sons and three daughters. And he called the name of the first daughter Jemimah, and the name of the second Keziah, and the name of the third Keren-happuch. And in all the land there were no women so beautiful as Job's daughters. And their father gave them an inheritance among their brothers. And after this Job lived 140 years, and saw his sons, and his sons' sons, four generations. And Job died, an old man, and full of days.” (Job 42:10-17)
Let’s remember today what Job learned through all of this. “I had heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You” (42:5). Let’s pray with a desire to really see God clearly today.
I have found the book of Job to be a book of:
About Sweeter Than Honey
When I read God’s Word each morning, I find inspiration and insight that keeps my day on track. Join me on this journey. Let’s settle in with His Word—it’s His Love Letter to us. Did you know that? Let’s read it like a love letter, expecting to glean something for our walk with Him every day. Let’s look for peace in the chaos and strength for our weaknesses. Even on our busiest days we can carve out a few minutes to refocus on the important—the eternal. Can’t we? We may have to get up a little earlier, when the house is still and quiet, or stay up a few minutes after the others are all tucked in for the night, but we can do this! I know we can!
Let's be intentional about focusing on God’s Word and the truths found there. Let's let it inspire us to live out our faith each day in a way that causes those we come in contact with to want what we have found. God sees you. He knows you by name, He knows the number of hairs on your head, and He cares about every detail of your daily existence. He wrote you a Love Letter. Let’s dive in!
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14 Comments
1/11/2022 09:08:03 am
I'm currently in the book of Numbers in my daily Bible reading. Sometimes it feels torturously boring, but then I'll run across some word that speaks directly to me from the Lord for my day. I appreciate your encouragement here to stay in the Word and to seek a clearer vision of who God truly is!
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1/11/2022 09:25:16 am
Thank you, Lisa! We begin the book of Genesis tomorrow. So, we are on our way to Numbers.... I especially love how God places snippets of information between names in the lists of genealogy in His Word. And how, sometimes, the genealogy even mentions women by name. :)
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1/11/2022 10:29:56 am
Yes, I love how Job was blessed in the end - the most beautiful daughters in the land - AND he gave them inheritance just like their brothers. Unusual in that day!
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1/11/2022 10:35:24 am
There is so much packed into these last few verses!! And did you see WHEN God restored Job’s fortunes? “And the LORD restored the fortunes of Job, —> when he had prayed for his friends...” (42:10) So interesting!!
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I love the "extremes" you have pointed to my attention. Yes, this book is truly full of extremes. At times, I have found it so hard to watch Job going through so much yet God is so near to him all the way. And the same can be said for our journeys. From extreme to extreme...with God all the way along.
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1/12/2022 02:25:28 pm
You know, Linda, I have read the book of Job three times now in three years, and this is the first time I've seen these "extremes." I love how God opens His Word to us in stages. I LOVE THIS!! —> "From extreme to extreme...with God all the way along."
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1/11/2022 06:56:52 pm
Through the trials we see Him clearly. Clinging to that.
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1/12/2022 07:55:34 am
Job always challenges me to hold onto God for He is always faithful. Trials may cause us to question God but He is gracious and His grip on us is fierce.
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1/12/2022 02:28:01 pm
God is always faithful, Joanne, and I am so glad His faithfulness does not depend on mine! LOVE THIS! —> "...His grip on us is fierce." So thankful!
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1/14/2022 02:10:29 pm
Patsy, thank you for this blessed message. I am currently working through Acts. Blessings.
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1/6/2024 08:29:09 pm
You're so very welcome, Paula!! It's encouraging to read that you found the post meaningful as you work through the book of Acts. Acts is such a rich and inspiring part of the Bible. Blessings on your journey through Acts, and thank you for visiting from Imparting Grace!
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1/16/2022 06:41:39 pm
This looks amazing. I've always celebrated the idea of the Bible being God's love letter passed down to us from ages of old. The best and sweetest love letter we ever receive.
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1/6/2024 08:30:43 pm
I'm thrilled to read that you find the concept of the Bible as God's love letter resonating with you, Karen!! God's Word truly is a profound and timeless message, carrying the depth of God's love and guidance throughout the ages. May your exploration of God's love through the Scriptures continue to inspire and uplift you!
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