This site uses cookies to provide you with more responsive and personalized service and to collect certain information about your use of the site.  You can change your cookie settings through your browser.  If you continue without changing your settings, you agree to our use of cookies.  See our Privacy Policy for more information.

Treasuring God in Troubles Treasuring God in Troubles

Treasuring God in Troubles

Devotions

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide rates in the United States increased 33 percent between 1999 and 2017. Reported one news outlet: "American suicides are now at their highest point in 50 years. It's now the second-leading cause of death for Americans under the age of 35."

When we face difficulties in life, we have a choice with how to respond. As believers, we should treasure the Lord and His sovereign love for us. Rather amazingly, that’s what Job did, even in the midst of tremendous suffering. With God’s permission, Satan wiped out his wealth, health, and children. Job responded by submitting to God’s sovereignty (1:20–22; 2:9–10). But the suffering wasn’t over. Job was then “comforted” by three friends who assumed he’d sinned and deserved these events as punishment.

In today’s chapter, Job was replying to Eliphaz, one of the friends. He didn’t try to make light of his suffering—it was indeed heavy and bitter (23:2). But he stood fast in his faith. He was confident of God’s justice and wanted to make his case before Him (vv. 3–7). Though he felt abandoned by God, he continued to trust in His knowledge and justice. He was sure that he would pass this test with flying colors and his relationship with God would be restored (vv. 8–12). Therefore, he could honestly proclaim, “I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread” (v. 12; compare Eliphaz’s advice in Job 22:21–22).

Wisdom, Scripture, and our relationship with God are treasures, but it doesn’t mean that we will live rich, comfortable, or trouble-free lives. In fact, it is when trouble comes—as it surely will in this fallen world—that we show most clearly what we truly treasure.

Pray with Us

The staff of Residence Life—Bruce Norquist, David Chizum, Sarah Youssef, and Samuel Roller—are a vital part of our students’ life on campus. Today remember them in prayer as they serve our students.

BY Brad Baurain

Dr. Bradley Baurain is Associate Professor and Program Head of TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) at Moody Bible Institute. Bradley has the unique privilege of holding a degree from four different universities (including Moody). He has just published his first book, On Waiting Well. Bradley taught in China, Vietnam, the United States, and Canada. Bradley and his wife, Julia, have four children and reside in Northwest Indiana.

Find Daily Devotionals by Month