Sunday (10/16)

With the continuation of our read through of the Old Testament of the Bible, this week we will read portions of the book of Job. The book of Job is unique for multiple reasons, and it is considered to be an excellent wisdom text from the Jewish and Christian biblical canons. The story addresses divine justice and undeserved suffering with an artistic use of confrontation. The point of history when the story takes place is intentionally vague. The setting is not in Israel nor the lands of the Israelites. Most of the characters in the story are not Israelites. The one character who has an Israelite name is the youngest of the friends of Job having a long conversation with him throughout much of the book. Elihu begins speaking to Job in Chapter 32 after the older friends have had plenty of time to share their thoughts and beliefs with him. Although the reason why “blameless and upright” people suffer is not answered directly within the story, Job’s story points the reader and hearer towards trusting in God no matter what hardships or suffering comes.

 

If you did not read the previous books of Genesis through Esther, you are encouraged to watch the Bible Project video about the Old Testament to have a clearer understanding of the full story within the text of the Hebrew Bible. The video summarizes the Hebrew scriptures of the ancient Jewish people. It is available on YouTube.

TaNaK/Old Testament by the Bible Project:

 

Below are some suggestions and questions to help you as you read scripture this week:

1. Approach scripture with humility. Seek to receive what the Bible reveals without trying to make it say what you want it to say.

2. Invite the Holy Spirit to speak a message to you through the verses you read.

3. What do these verses reveal about God?

4. What do these verses reveal about humanity?

5. What do these verses teach me about myself?

6. How do you see yourself in the story when reading biblical narratives?

Which of these characters would I be?

In what ways is their story similar to my story?

7. Read, study, and discuss the verses with another person or small group.

8. Use a Study Bible. The NIV, NRSV, ESV, and NLT Study Bibles are worth considering if you do not own one. There are a few available from the AUMC Library in the back of the Chapel. You can also purchase a Study Bible from ChristianBook.com, Cokesbury.com, or Amazon.com.

 

*If you do not have a Bible, consider downloading the YouVersion Bible App for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play for your smartphone or tablet. You can also use www.BibleGateway.com to look up and read various translations of Bible verses online for free.

 

 

Monday (10/17)

Read the verses from Psalm 22 that are below to begin your devotional time:

“All the ends of the earth

will remember and turn to the LORD,

and all the families of the nations

will bow down before him,

for dominion belongs to the LORD

and he rules over the nations.” – Psalm 22:27-28 NIV

 

You are encouraged to watch the Overview: Job video by the Bible Project

that is available on Youtube before reading the verses for this week:

Overview: Job by the Bible Project

 

Read Job 1. As you read the bible verses, invite the Holy Spirit to reveal a

word, phrase, or verse from the biblical text that is specifically for you for today.

 

Pray for those who are mourning right now because of endured significant losses.

 

 

Tuesday (10/18)

Read Psalm 22:27-28 to center yourself in God.

 

Solitude and Silence. You are encouraged to spend a few minutes or more alone with God silently listening for the internal whisper of the Holy Spirit. If you struggle to listen, focus on the physical sounds you hear. The Spirit of the Lord can use the noises you hear to help you set your thoughts on the One who enables you to hear and perceive.

 

Read Job 2. Choose questions from the Sunday list of this devotional to wrestle with as part of your study time.

 

Pray for:

• Those closest to you (family members & friends)
• Those who point others towards God (pastors, teachers, mentors, authors, musicians, etc.)
• Leaders (locally, nationally, and globally)
• People in need throughout the world (the hungry, thirsty, homeless, sick, imprisoned, neglected, abused, lost, etc.)
• Yourself (share your needs and invite the Lord to guide you)

 

 

Wednesday (10/19)

Read Psalm 22:27-28 to begin your time with the Lord.

 

Read Job’s statement about God to his friends from Job 9:10. Read Elihu’s message to Job about God from Job 36:26. Let the messages of the two verses sink deeply into your heart and mind.

 

Pray through your day, including for the people you will be with or have been with, as well as what you will do or what you have done.

 

 

Thursday (10/20)

Read Psalm 22:27-28.

 

Solitude and Silence. You are encouraged to spend a few minutes or more alone with God silently listening. Be still physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritual, knowing that God is in charge and in control (Psalm 46:10). Don’t let your mind drift towards to-do-lists or tasks, but stop long enough to let your thoughts cease so that your only focus is being with the Lord.

 

Read God’s message to Job from Job 38, as well as Job’s reply to the Lord in Job 40:1-5. What do these verses reveal about God?

 

Pray in response to God using the ACTS acronym as a guide:

Adoration (praise the Lord)

Confession

Thanksgiving

Supplication (share your needs & the needs of others)

 

 

Friday (10/21)

Read Psalm 22:27-28 to begin your time with God.

 

Read Job 42, which is the conclusion of this book of the Bible. Invite the Lord to speak to you through the words of scripture.

 

Spend some time counting your blessings today by writing them as a list. After you have finished writing a list of as many blessing from God as you can think of, use the list to offer thanksgiving and praise to the Lord through prayer.

 

 

Saturday (10/22)

How are you going to remember and observe the Sabbath this weekend? The Sabbath is a day each week that is set apart from the others to worship God, rest, and enjoy life-giving recreation to experience restoration. Are you setting aside an hour, part of a day, or an entire day as a way to observe the Sabbath? You may need to incrementally observe the Sabbath until you are eventually able to worship, rest, and engage in living-giving recreation for an entire day each week.

 

Read Psalm 22:27-28. Since God rules the nations, how are you submitting to him as the ruler of your life? Are you putting God first in your time daily, weekly, and annually? How? Is God first in your finances by setting aside the first portion for Him? If not, what does that reveal about you? Is God first in your relationships? How are you prioritizing God as the king of your life?

 

Solitude and Silence. You are encouraged to spend ten, twenty, or thirty minutes alone with God seeking to rest in the peace that can only be found in and from the Lord. If you struggle to stop and rest, consider laying down, kneeling, or sitting on a very comfortable chair or seat. If you need a nap, then sleep so that your mind and body receive the rest that you need.

 

Read Psalm 62:5-8, then follow the instructions of the psalmist and “pour out your heart to the Lord” during your time of prayer. Let your soul find rest in Him. Receive the hope that He offers us.