Scripture Union Discovery 15th April 2023: Stop! In The Name of Love

SCRIPTURE UNION DISCOVERY DEVOTIONAL (USA)

Scripture Union Discovery 15th April 2023, Saturday Devotional Message

TOPIC: Stop! In The Name of Love

Opening Prayer
Lord, in a world that see guarantees as a right, I trust in your promises and your help all the way through. Thanks be to God.

Read JOB 40
40 The Lord said to Job:

2 “Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him?
Let him who accuses God answer him!”

3 Then Job answered the Lord:

4 “I am unworthy—how can I reply to you?
I put my hand over my mouth.
5 I spoke once, but I have no answer—
twice, but I will say no more.”

6 Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm:

7 “Brace yourself like a man;
I will question you,
and you shall answer me.

8 “Would you discredit my justice?
Would you condemn me to justify yourself?
9 Do you have an arm like God’s,
and can your voice thunder like his?
10 Then adorn yourself with glory and splendor,
and clothe yourself in honor and majesty.
11 Unleash the fury of your wrath,
look at all who are proud and bring them low,
12 look at all who are proud and humble them,
crush the wicked where they stand.
13 Bury them all in the dust together;
shroud their faces in the grave.
14 Then I myself will admit to you
that your own right hand can save you.

15 “Look at Behemoth,
which I made along with you
and which feeds on grass like an ox.
16 What strength it has in its loins,
what power in the muscles of its belly!
17 Its tail sways like a cedar;
the sinews of its thighs are close-knit.
18 Its bones are tubes of bronze,
its limbs like rods of iron.
19 It ranks first among the works of God,
yet its Maker can approach it with his sword.
20 The hills bring it their produce,
and all the wild animals play nearby.
21 Under the lotus plants it lies,
hidden among the reeds in the marsh.
22 The lotuses conceal it in their shadow;
the poplars by the stream surround it.
23 A raging river does not alarm it;
it is secure, though the Jordan should surge against its mouth.
24 Can anyone capture it by the eyes,
or trap it and pierce its nose?

New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture Union Discovery 15th April 2023 Reflect

‘The arrogance of man will be brought low and human pride humbled; the Lord alone will be exalted in that day’ (Isaiah 2:17).
Job has been tested physically and mentally by Satan since chapter 1. He has been berated by his friends for having sinned (Eliphaz), being self-righteous (Bildad) and deserving worse for his sin (Zophar). The independently-minded Elihu has alluded to somewhat the same, even though his criticism is more constructive. God has already reproved Job for his presumption to self-righteousness (38:2).

Job settles for a bit of a climb down. Faced with a barrage of questions from God that he cannot answer, what could he say (vs 4,5)? Not enough, evidently! ‘I will say no more’ doesn’t cut it! The Lord presses on, drilling down to test Job spiritually again. In verses 7–14 and then through to the end of chapter 41, full acknowledgment is sought from Job of the Lord’s majesty, glory, justice and sovereignty over all things. Dare Job contend that he can stand before the justice of God and win? Others may be listening too: Elihu, the three friends, the reader of this book… and, of course, Satan.

Job is at a breaking point – will it all be too much? How would we fare in that situation?

Apply
As with Job here, pride can easily trip us up. Humility is costly, even if we can get over our pride. When we’re facing God, pride will never win! If there are areas where humility is not your default position, what can you do to change?

Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, my prayer today reflects Job’s words: “I’m speechless in awe, words fail me… I’ve talked way too much. I’m ready to shut up and listen” (vs 4-5, The Message).

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