Daily Devotions

Today's eDevotional

for Thursday July 29, 2010

Text for the Day -- Job 23:1-10
Then Job answered: "Today also my complaint is bitter; his hand is heavy despite my groaning. Oh, that I knew where I might find him,
that I might come even to his dwelling! I would lay my case before
him, and fill my mouth with arguments. I would learn what he would
answer me, and understand what he would say to me. Would he contend
with me in the greatness of his power? No; but he would give heed to
me. There an upright person could reason with him, and I should be
acquitted forever by my judge.

"If I go forward, he is not there; or backward, I cannot perceive
him; on the left he hides, and I cannot behold him; I turn to the
right, but I cannot see him. But he knows the way that I take; when
he has tested me, I shall come out like gold."

Devotional
Job defends himself to his friends and is confident that he could
defend himself as faithful before God, but he cannot find God in
order to present his case. God is in hiding to Job, but Job is
confident God will vindicate him in the end. But, he also expresses
some dread at the thought of meeting God face to face. Do you have
experiences like these in your life? How do you face paradox?

Prayer
Help me acknowledge you, O Lord, even when you seem absent to me.
Amen

Richard Beckmen, executive editor of eDevotionals and Announcements
is a Lutheran pastor and writes about prayer and spirituality. He is
author of A Beginners Guide to Prayer, Praying for Wholeness and
Healing, and has developed a daily devotional program for married
couples.

Scripture quotation is from the NEW REVISED STANDARD VERSION of the
Bible, copyright 1989, by the Division of Christian Education of the
National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by
permission. All rights reserved.