Verse of the Day: (3:3) But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
1.Glory (3:1-8)
Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah. (3:8)
Are you discouraged and depressed? David was discouraged and depressed when his beloved son, Absalom, sought for his life to enthrone himself, and he had to run away from his own palace as he truly loved Absalom, and would not command his royal army to engage the battle against Absalom and his own army. While in the wilderness hiding from his son, David inspired by the Holy Spirit wrote this psalm to encourage himself in the Lord as he cried to Him for wisdom and strength know that He is his shield and glory. Eventually, God lifted him up and delivered him from Absalom’s revolt. In fact, Absalom died during the battle. When David heard of Absalom’s death, he wept, Absalom, Absalom, I would have died for you. David had truly demonstrated the unconditional and sacrificial love of a father to his son. Throughout David’s life, he had experienced God’s salvation, deliverance and miracles, because he fully believed and trusted in Him. Let us therefore believe and trust in God, and be the praise of His glory, as only He deserves the glory and praise, as He is our Creator and Saviour now and forever. (Ephesians 1:1-12)
2.Godly (4:1-3)
But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him. (4:3)
God set apart David from the rest of the people, because He knew that he was a godly man, and one who was truly after His heart. This was why time and again, God would hear and deliver David from all his troubles and tribulations, as he cried and called upon Him. Indeed, God knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and testing, and reserves His severe punishment upon the ungodly at the Day of Judgment. (2 Peter 2:1-10)
3.Gladness (4:4-8)
Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased. (4:7)
David was glad and rejoiced in the Lord as he knew that He was with him at the highest as well as the lowest point of his life. Indeed, just like God has anointed His Son, Jesus Christ, with the oil of gladness, He has also anointed us with this gladness in our hearts that surpasses all precious things we can ever possess in our lifetime and throughout all eternity, when we really love Him and His righteousness, and hate evil and wickedness. This gladness in our hearts is to truly know Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour and Lord, and that we shall never die, but live with Him in glorious heaven forever. (Hebrews 1:1-9)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to be the praise of Your glory as You are my glory.
Verse of the Day: (1:2) But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
1.Delight (1:1-6)
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. (1:3)
Do you like to be prosperous and happy in God? King David, inspired by the Holy Spirit, gave us the secret, and it is to flee from ungodly counsel, and to daily delight in and meditate on God’s Word. During the hardest time of David’s life, it was God’s Word that gave him wisdom, strength and encouragement to persevere on to the end. We are like trees beside the rivers that take in the waters, which is God’s Word, so that we shall grow spiritually even in life storms. Even Apostle Paul affirmed that it was only in delighting in God’s law that he could truly overcome life crises as he daily struggled with his flesh. Indeed, we are not just to be happy, but to be holy before the holy God. (Romans 7:15-25)
2.Declare (2:1-8)
I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. (2:7)
Whose father will not love his own son? God, the Father, truly loves His only begotten Son, as He proudly declares that He had begotten Jesus Christ. Though the leaders and the people of this world kept rebelling against God, yet He always declares His great love for them that He sent His Son to die for their sins, and whoever repents his sins, and believes in Him shall never perish in fiery hell but have everlasting life with Him in glorious heaven. Indeed, the greatest declaration that we can ever make is that of the gospel, that Jesus died for our sins and that He was buried and the third day He rose again, and whoever believes in Him shall have eternal life with Him. (1 Corinthians 15:1-8)
3.Dash (2:9-12)
Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel. (2:9)
Though God is loving, yet He is also holy, and He shall punish all sinners in this world unless we confess and repent our sins, and believe and trust in Him. God shall only bless and keep those who put their trust in Him, and serve Him with fear, and rejoice with trembling. He shall judge and dash the wicked and all who reject Him in pieces like a potter’s vessel, and ultimately condemn and cast them into fiery hell. Indeed, let us trust and believe in God, the Almighty, and abide under His mighty shadow, and He shall send His angels to protect us, so that we shall never dash our feet against a stone. (Psalm 91)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to daily delight in Your holy Word amid life storms.
Verse of the Day: (42:10) And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.
1.Leviathan (41:1-28)
Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook? or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down? (41:1)
God asked Job as to whether he could draw out the leviathan or the gigantic whale with a hook from the vast ocean and then made it play with him like a bird. Indeed, the whale is a huge mammal, and its teeth are awesome, and its heart is as hard as a millstone. Many fishermen have tried to catch them, but in vain, as their hooks, cords, swords, spears, darts, habergeons, arrows, etc., have all been destroyed. Indeed, only God makes and destroys all creatures including the leviathans, and let us submit to Him. (Psalm 74:12-14)
2.Laugh (41:29-34)
Darts are counted as stubble: he laugheth at the shaking of a spear. (41:29)
God described to Job the power and majesty of the leviathan as no other mammals could be compared to it. The leviathan seemed to laugh at the people who tried to throw darts and spears to catch it, but in vain, as it laughed off their helpless methods. It seems the animal kingdom is laughing at us, because we, who are made in God’s image, behave worse than the animals, when we make nuclear bombs that can possible exterminate the entire human race on this earth. Indeed, there is a time to every purpose – a time to be born, a time to die, a time to weep and a time to laugh, and let us fully redeem our time, and use it to live for Christ alone, as we have only one precious life. (Ecclesiastes 3:1-11)
3.LORD (42:1-17)
So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses. (42:12)
What a glorious ending! God never fails His people who trust and obey Him. When Job finally prayed for his friends, God blessed him twice as much as he had before. The turning point of Job’s life was when he prayed for his friends. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, prayed for all, including those who crucified Him, even when He suffered and bled at the cross. In His last breath, Jesus prayed, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. (Luke 23:34) Job now realised that even in his intense suffering, God was actually blessing him. Indeed, let us know that God loves us and He shall bless us even when we are going through great crises, because ultimately we shall emerge victoriously as pure gold. Let us thus keep praying for all, including our enemies, and thanking the LORD for everything, until He calls us to His home in heaven. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, my LORD, thank You for everything especially my precious salvation.
Verse of the Day: (39:27) Doth the eagle mount up at thy command, and make her nest on high?
1.Eggs (39:1-26)
Which leaveth her eggs in the earth, and warmeth them in dust, (39:14)
The Almighty asked Job as to who was the Creator of the entire ecosystem of the universe. He then asked him whether he knew the exact time that the wild goats of the rock would actually bring forth their young, or the exact time that the hinds would calve. God also asked him as to whether the unicorn or wild ox would actually serve man and stay and sleep in his crib. He further asked him as to who gave the peacocks the goodly and beautiful wings, or who gave the ostriches the large and majestic wings and feathers. He further asked Job who gave the ostriches the instinct to leave their eggs in the earth warming them in the dust hiding from the attack of the wild beast. He asked him as to who gave the horses the strength, and clothing their neck like the power of the thunder. God gives breath and strength to all creatures and He is the real source of power behind the entire ecosystem of the universe. Let us trust in God, and He shall bless and grant us with fishes and eggs, and not serpents or scorpions, for our own good. (Luke 11: 1-13)
2.Eagle (39:27-30)
From thence she seeketh the prey, and her eyes behold afar off. (39:29)
God asked Job as to who command the eagle to mount up into the sky and nest on high, and see her prey from afar off and then swiftly swooped and captured it. Indeed, God commands His creatures including the majestic eagles to mount up high on the mountain seeking their prey from afar off with their perfect eyesight and swooping down and catching them. Let us therefore wait upon God by renewing our strength and mounting up with wings like the eagles, catching the powerful winds of God beneath our wings so that we shall soar above life storms, and we shall run and never be weary, and we shall walk and never faint, worshipping and serving Him for His glory and praise. (Isaiah 40:31)
3.Excellence (40:1-24)
Deck thyself now with majesty and excellency; and array thyself with glory and beauty. (40:10)
God reiterated to Job that He made the first animal, the behemoths or the dinosaurs of great strength, and their bones were like bars of iron, though they only eat grass and drink tons of waters. Finally Job humbled himself, and repented of his self-righteousness, acknowledging God as the Almighty. God then encouraged him to move on by worshipping and serving Him with excellence and beauty, so that all the people shall know that He is the true God. Let us thus invite God, the Holy Spirit, into our lives, and we shall have His excellent power amid all our troubles and trials. (2 Corinthians 4:1-10)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to have Your power like the eagle mounting up on high.
Verse of the Day: (37:14) Hearken unto this, O Job: stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.
1.Works (37:1-24)
Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice: he will not afflict. (37:23)
Elihu, Job’s young friend, reiterated God’s great and wondrous works on the face of this earth as well as the entire universe. He counselled Job to be still and silent and acknowledge that God is the Almighty and Saviour of his life. Elihu praised God that by His very breadth He makes the loud thunders, the shining lightning, the incredible snow, the great rain, the strong whirlwind, the misty frost and the bright clouds. Elihu advised Job to trust God even when He had afflicted him as He never make a mistake. Let us thus hold fast our faith in God even in hard times, and keep doing His wondrous works of sharing the Gospel that all shall come to know that Jesus truly saves. (Hebrews 10:23-25)
2.Words (38:1-35)
Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? (38:2)
Finally, God spoke. After listening to all the conversations and arguments of Job and his 4 friends, God answered Job out of the whirlwind and put him where he should be – a creature. God sharply rebuked Job that he did not know why he was complaining of his suffering when it was actually for his own good. God described Himself as the Almighty Creator of this entire universe as He lays the cornerstone of the foundations, the songs of the morning stars, the garments of the clouds, the springs of the seas, the treasures of the snow, and before man even names the stars, He already had names for them the likes of Pleiades, Orion, Mazzaroth and Arcturus. Though God loves His wondrous creation, yet He loves His people most, as He creates them in His own image, and is always with them even in time of trouble and the day of battle. Indeed, let us trust God and share His Words, as only His Words are able to save, edify and revive souls for His glory. (1 Timothy 6:1-5)
3.Wisdom (38:36-41)
Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts? or who hath given understanding to the heart? (38:36)
God humbled Job by describing His infinite creation and sustenance of the ecosystem of the universe that are beyond the imagination and finite mind of man. God creates the lions such that they can hide, wait and kill their prey for food and feed their cubs. God creates the ravens such that they can search for food and feed their young. Let us humbly ask God for His wisdom so that we can fully understand that the trials of our lives are for our benefits, preparing us to be with Him in His eternal home in heaven. (James 1:1-12)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You for Your wondrous works in my life including my salvation.
Verse of the Day: (36:26) Behold, God is great, and we know him not, neither can the number of his years be searched out.
1.God (35:1-16)
Thinkest thou this to be right, that thou saidst, My righteousness is more than God’s? (35:2)
Elihu, Job’s friend, advised Job to humble himself before God as His righteousness surpassed that of Job’s. Though Job believed he was righteous before God yet he did not realise that he must give up everything and everyone including his loved ones before he could be righteous in His sight. Job must reach the rock bottom before he knew Christ, the Rock of the bottom, his Saviour, who gave him songs in the night to comfort him. (1 Corinthians 10:1-4) Job learnt that in the darkest storm of his life that he drew closest to his God. Indeed, let us yield to God as His instruments of righteousness by worshipping and serving Him, even when we face the hardest trial of our lives. (Romans 6:1-13)
2.Gold (36:1-25)
Will he esteem thy riches? no, not gold, nor all the forces of strength. (36:19)
Elihu exhorted Job that God’s wisdom and strength was more valuable than precious gold, and surpassed that of the wisest or the most powerful man on earth. He counselled Job that though he might not fully understand God’s way, yet he must acknowledge Him as his Maker and Teacher who knew exactly what he needed to live an obedient life. Elihu reminded him that though God seemed to preserve the wicked, but He shall eventually judge and punish their souls in fiery hell, and while He seemed to allow the righteous to suffer, but He shall eventually bless and promote their souls to glorious heaven, where they shall enjoy His presence forever. Indeed, let us worship God, and love His Word and teaching, as they are more precious than gold and sweeter than honey. (Psalm 19:1-10)
3.Great (36:26-33)
For by them judgeth he the people; he giveth meat in abundance. (36:31)
Elihu encouraged Job to surrender and submit to the great God, who truly loved and cared for him and all His precious people who trusted and believed in Him. Elihu reminded him that God who made the rain to cover the earth, spread the light over it, fed the people with abundance of meat, and eventually judge them was the same God who shall abundantly and generously bless him as well as faithfully and miraculously deliver him out of his despair and depression. Indeed, let us look forward to the joyful day of the blessed hope of the glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour who shall call us to His eternal home in heaven where there shall be no more death, sorrow, crying or pain, but where we shall worship, glorify, praise and serve Him for all eternity. (Titus 2:1-15)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to yield to You knowing that You are my great God.
Verse of the Day: (34:5) For Job hath said, I am righteous: and God hath taken away my judgment.
1.Ransom (33:1-33)
Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom. (33:24)
Though Elihu, Job’s friend was younger than him and his 3 friends, Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar, yet he was wiser and godly in his counsel to Job than the rest of them. Elihu counselled Job to submit to God, and not to be self-righteous. He reminded Job that their very breath were from God, and there was nothing they could do to resist His plan for their lives. He exhorted Job to trust God, who was their Ransom, who paid with His life for the sins of the whole world including their sins. Indeed, let us be still, and know that God is our Ransom who died and shed His precious blood for our sins. (1 Timothy 2:1-6)
2.Righteous (34:1-36)
Therefore hearken unto me ye men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity. (34:10)
Elihu advised Job to cease from self-righteousness, and to trust God who created and loved him. Job almost came to the conclusion that it was not profitable for him to serve God as he was now suffering from the tragic loss of his loved ones and possessions. However, Elihu reminded Job that God never sin or make a single mistake, and He knew best what was best for him. Elihu exhorted Job to keep trusting God knowing that his intense trials were beneficial to his spiritual growth, though presently he might not fully understand the causes of his suffering. Elihu reiterated to Job the attributes of God that He is omnipresent, omniscience and omnipotent, and He knew what He was doing in his life. Let us therefore humble ourselves knowing that no one is righteous before God except through the righteousness of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. (Romans 3:1-20)
3.Rebellion (34:37)
For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth his hands among us, and multiplieth his words against God. (34:37)
Elihu’s main thrust of his counsel to Job was stop complaining and submit to God’s sovereign will. It was tough for Job, but with God, nothing shall be impossible. Elihu reproved Job that all his murmuring and complains were acts of rebellion against God, and that he should immediately cease from them. Let us therefore trust God knowing that He truly loves us, and that He allows the trials of our lives to increase our faith in Him, and for His glory. Indeed, God desires and delights in our obedience than our sacrifices, as rebellion against Him is compared to that of the sin of witchcraft. (1 Samuel 15:22-23)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to humble myself and flee from self-righteousness.
Verse of the Day: (31:1) I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?
1.Covenant (31:1-32)
If I have made gold my hope, or have said to the fine gold, Thou art my confidence; (31:24)
Immorality and covetousness are two of the most deadly and devastating sins that had caused even godly and good men and women to fall from God’s grace. This was why Job covenanted with his eyes never to lust over women as it would eventually lead him into immorality. He was also contented with God’s great blessings upon his life, and would flee from covetousness and greed. He had never made gold his hope, or wealth his pursuit, but only in God did he trust. He had been doing good works and helping many especially the poor and the widows. He kept telling his friends that he had never committed immorality or covetousness, and his suffering was God’s test on his faith. However, his friends kept refusing to believe in him and continued with their tirade of false accusations. Indeed, let us look to Jesus Christ, our Mediator of the new covenant, who shall vindicate us as He was once falsely accused, shamed and mocked, and eventually He was crucified for the sins of the whole world, thus fulfilling God’s great prophesy. (Hebrews 12:18-29)
2.Cover (31:33-40)
If I covered my transgressions as Adam, by hiding mine iniquity in my bosom: (31:33)
Job kept insisting that he did not cover his sins, as Adam, God’s first created man, covered his sins from God when he hid behind the trees of the Garden of Eden, after he and his wife had disobeyed Him by eating the forbidden fruit. Job kept sharing with his friends that his suffering was actually God’s testing, and he had never committed any secret sins. Let us thus believe in God, and repent and not cover our sins, and keep loving Him and others so that His love and forgiveness shall cover all our sins. (1 Peter 4:1-8)
3.Condemnation (32:1-22)
Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job. (32:3)
Elihu spoke to Job and his three friends only when they ceased from talking, as he was younger than them. He had heard all their conversations, and was really angry with them. He rebuked Job’s friends that they should never had condemned Job without finding the real cause of his suffering. He also reproved Job that he should humble himself, and reflect on his life, instead of murmuring against God, arguing with his friends and justifying himself. Indeed, let us humble ourselves, and thank God for His love that we are bound for glorious heaven instead of being condemned to fiery hell. (Romans 8:1-10)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to covenant my life to You that I will only live for You.
Verse of the Day: (29:4) As I was in the days of my youth, when the secret of God was upon my tabernacle;
1.Secret (29:1-25)
When the Almighty was yet with me, when my children were about me; (29:5)
Job reminisced the glorious days when he enjoyed the company of the Almighty God in His secret place and under His wings, and the fellowship of his loved ones and relatives. Job was one of the godly and wealthy leaders of his community as he daily offered his sacrifices to God, and generously helped the weak and protect them from the unscrupulous and wicked ones. His sudden tragic loss of his precious children and wealth in just one fatal day were too much for him to bear. His beloved wife, relatives and friends began to distance themselves from him, and his close friends, Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar were falsely accusing him that he had reaped the grave consequences of his secret sins. It was a devastating blow to his self-esteem and confidence, and he was now wallowing in depression crying out to God for comfort and consolation. Indeed, let us hide in God’s secret place and under His mighty wings in time of trouble. (Psalm 91:1-16)
2.Soul (30:1-29)
And now my soul is poured out upon me; the days of affliction have taken hold upon me. (30:16)
In just matter of days, the people began to ostracise Job because he had fallen from grace and they believed in was God’s judgment upon him. Even the children in the community despised and mocked him for his sudden loss of his dearest children and wealth. It was too much for Job to bear as his soul was weary and sorrowful from all the pain and suffering. Let us thus pray to God in time of distress and discouragement as even Jesus Christ, God’s Son, prayed to His Father when His soul was exceeding sorrowful because He was about to be crucified bearing the sins of the whole world. (Mark 14:32-42)
3.Skin (30:30-31)
My skin is black upon me, and my bones are burned with heat. (30:30)
Job suffered much as God not only caused him to lose his dearest children and precious wealth, but He also greatly inflicted his health that his skin became dark, and his bones were burning within him. As he suffered physical, emotionally and even spiritually, he kept questioning God’s dealing, and daily mourned and wept before Him wishing that He would immediately promote him to His home in glorious heaven to be with his loved ones who had gone ahead of him. Indeed, let us trust and obey God, and confess and repent our sins, as only He can heal our skin, forgive our sins, save our wretched souls from eternal condemnation and promote us to His pearly heaven. (Jeremiah 13:22-27)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You for Your secret and holy place that I hide in time of trouble.
Verse of the Day: (28:16) It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire.
1.God (27:1-23)
As God liveth, who hath taken away my judgment; and the Almighty, who hath vexed my soul; (27:2)
Though Job had strong faith in the Almighty God as he believed that his intense suffering was due to His test on his faith, yet he kept complaining and murmuring because it was too much for him to bear it. Job knew that God was in control, and that everyone whether the rich or the poor, the righteous or the wicked would face death, and he was prepared to die, yet his pain was unbearable. He wished he could die, and be with God in heaven where he shall have no more suffering. However, God already knew that Job was able to endure the fiery test. Indeed, let us fully trust Christ, our Rock, and endure His fiery test, as He is faithful, and He knows exactly how much we can bear it. (1 Corinthians 10:1-13)
2.Gone (28:1-4)
The flood breaketh out from the inhabitant; even the waters forgotten of the foot: they are dried up, they are gone way from men. (28:4)
Though it was hard work for man to search and dig for precious metals such as gold, silver, iron, brass and other minerals that God had embedded them in the earth, yet they would all be gone or destroyed when He caused a great flood or earthquake. Job knew that ultimately the whole world is in God’s mighty hands, and His infinite wisdom was more precious than precious gold. Indeed, only God and His wisdom and understanding, and not material wealth and possession, could truly satisfy man’s hungry and thirsty soul. Indeed, unless we truly believe in God and His wisdom, and confess and repent our sins, we shall be eternally condemned in hell, as all have gone out of His way. (Romans 3:1-20)
3.Gold (28:5-28)
The gold and the crystal cannot equal it: and the exchange of it shall not be for jewels of fine gold. (28:17)
Job compared God’s fiery trial to that of the refining of the gold of Ophir in the furnace of fire before it became pure gold. There must be intense heat to burn all the impurities from the raw gold that were dug out from the depths of the earth before it would become refined gold. God was refining and moulding Job as He removed all his sins so that he could be righteous in Him. Indeed, God is more valuable than gold, onyx, sapphire, crystal, coral, pearls, rubies, topaz or any precious stones. Let us therefore trust and obey God, and be zealous, and confess and repent our sins, and endure His fiery test that we shall become the refined gold of Ophir for His glory and honour. (Revelation 3:14-22)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to be like the gold of Ophir by passing Your fiery test.
