Daily Devotion

As a result of Israel’s and Judah’s rebellion, God delivered six “woes.” We also see Jesus delivering woes in the New Testament (e.g., Matt. 23:13-39; Luke 11:37-54). So, let’s first understand the purpose of a woe.

Everything crumbles. Your world falls apart. Stability and security vanish. Can you imagine that experience? Sometimes, circumstances beyond our control shake our worlds. Other times, we bring it upon ourselves when we rebel against God and allow pride to replace humility. Yet, even in self-inflicted chaos, hope remains. God is always guiding us toward renewal.

After challenging Judah’s hypocrisy in chapter 1, the focus in chapter 2 shifts to “the day of the Lord.” A future time will come when the nation of Israel will influence the entire world. Isaiah describes what he saw on that imminent day.

Spiritual renewal begins by addressing the sin in our lives. There is no way around it. We cannot raise one hand in worship while holding tightly to sin with the other. To truly experience God in a fresh way, we must confront the things that drive us away from him. That’s where the book of Isaiah begins.

I could use a spiritual renewal. There, I said it. Sometimes, I feel a bit stale and stuck. Spiritual matters can become dull, and temptations begin to look more and more attractive. Reading the Bible turns into something I check off my list for the day, and talking to God, well… let’s say it’s not where it needs to be. I took one of those DNA tests and learned that perfection does not run in my family. I was shocked. Lori wasn’t. She’s been telling me that for years. I need to be spiritually refreshed. How about you?

One of my favorite Bible teachers is Chuck Swindoll. I have always appreciated his commitment to the text and his insight into practical applications. His integrity is also noteworthy to me. He remains the same, whether I’m in the audience listening to him speak to a large crowd or sitting with him one-on-one at lunch. There is no showmanship or pretense. I find that both rare and refreshing.

As we conclude our study of Job, let’s take a moment to reflect on and think through the book's ending. A quick reading of the last verses can seem too “fairytale-ish”—"And Job lived happily ever after.”

Prayer “takes in man in his whole being, mind, soul, and body.” Job's conversations with God teach us a great deal about prayer. God’s servant does not hold back; he expresses what is in his entire being. This is also how prayer is conveyed in the Psalms.

Have you ever been hurt, deeply hurt, by a friend? By someone you confided in, a person with whom you were vulnerable? You loved spending time with them, and everything was so good…until it wasn’t. It never ceases to amaze me how quickly things can change. When Job’s life crumbled, most of his friends disappeared. Granted, after Job was restored, they returned, offered Job “sympathy and comfort,” and joined in the celebration party (Job 42:11); however, most stayed away when Job was at his lowest.