READING: Job 22-24, Acts 11
“I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food.”
Job 23:12
When a student comes into my office, I often take advantage of that opportunity to ask him how his spiritual life is going. The question sometimes catches the student off guard, but never have I had anyone not answer my question. Generally, the response is something like this: “I’m doing okay, but I could be doing better. I could especially do better in (whatever discipline is weakest).” Sometimes that discipline is Bible study or prayer. Occasionally, the student is dealing with a sin issue, and my question opens the door to talk about repentance. In some cases, the conversation leads deeply into confession and forgiveness.
In more than 20 years of teaching, seldom have I had a student respond with an affirmation as strong as Job’s words when he described his own walk with God: “My foot has held fast to his steps; I have kept his way and have not turned aside. I have not departed from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food” (Job 23:11-12). Job was struggling to find God in the midst of his anguish, but he was nevertheless convinced of his innocence. He had, like Joshua was commanded (Josh. 1:7-8), followed God’s commands without departing to the right or the left. God’s Word was so important to him, in fact, that it mattered more than food. It was, like the psalmist said, “sweeter than honey, which comes from the honeycomb” (Psalm 19:10) – a word to be treasured in one’s heart (Psalm 119:11).
That’s the prayer for my life: that the Word would be more important to me than food, and that I would follow that Word without exception. I pray that’s your desire, too – and that you and I would follow God fully even when we don’t understand where God is in our difficulties.
ACTION STEPS:
- Enjoy your time in the Word today.
- Even if your life is a struggle today, recognize that God is still sovereign. He has a plan.
PRAYER: “God, help me to walk with You and never turn aside.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Job 25-27, Acts 12