Day 28

Job 32-34.  “Consistency”

Job’s three friends were absolutely convinced that he had some hidden fault which would explain why he had to suffer.  Job affirms his innocence in chapter 31, which incidentally, I would challenge you to read that chapter with the intent of asking how you would measure up.  I imagine very few could honestly claim what Job could.
Yet after Job and his three friends are done throwing their theories around, Elihu takes his turn.  The young Elihu notes how Job is becoming a bit arrogant in some of his replies and justifications.  Elihu questions the “wisdom” of Job’s friends, and yet Elihu has a theory or two of his own that may not be entirely on target.  Elihu still connects Job’s testing to sin (34:11), but Elihu does make some wonderful statements about God’s providence and justice.
There is a great lesson here for us.  Each man’s speech contained much truth, but every now and then a false assumption came to the surface.  The fact is; 100% of our assumptions had better be consistent with the Word of God.

General Questions for each day:
Summarize the day’s Bible passage in your own words.
What thoughts, actions, attitudes or beliefs are addressed in the passage?
How is the Holy Spirit leading you to apply this passage to your life today?

Bible Discussion Guide:

-What is your first reaction to an intense trial?  Do you try to simplify it, explain it, or justify it? Would you consider your response in accordance with traditional thinking, or Biblical wisdom, or human reasoning?
-Why is it that our tendency seems to lean more to explaining than accepting?
-Do you believe that an intense trial tests the “true you” far more than anything else could?
-What have you learned about the “true you” during an intense trial?
-During an intense trial, has any of your “traditional” thinking about God been challenged?  Did your faith change for the better as a result of the trial?
-Is the “true you” consistent (harmonious) with what others see Sunday morning?
-As you reflect on the various devotionals for this week, how would you interpret the phrase, “consistency is an indicator of success”?
-Personal application:  What areas of your life could you develop a greater godly consistency in?