Job 5:8–9: “But as for me [Eliphaz], I would seek God, / And to God I would commit my cause— / Who does great things, and unsearchable, / Marvelous things without number.”

November 30th, 2023 by Pastor Ed in devotional

Eliphaz began to praise God’s goodness, and his description of God would have been a good one if he weren’t also using it to point a finger at Job. He gave Job some good advice when he told Job to seek God, but this statement by Job’s “friend” was really just an accusation. He was saying in effect, “Suffering doesn’t just happen, Job; there must be sin in your life.” But let’s focus on the positive in Eliphaz’s words. We do all need to look for and find meaning and purpose in all that God allows to come our way. When suffering, it is all too easy to become trapped in bitterness.

So far 2 questions have already been answered with regard to suffering. Can we avoid suffering? No, even the godly will have trials and suffering in their lives. How should we respond to suffering? Accept it, worship while you mourn, and don’t allow yourself to become trapped in bitterness.

In Thailand, when an elephant is captured, an iron band connected to a heavy chain is placed around the elephant’s foot. The other end of the chain is secured to a large tree. At first, the elephant lifts its leg and pulls, trying with all its strength to break the chain or uproot the tree, but nothing happens. An elephant will try this day after day until it finally gives up. After this, whenever the powerful animal lifts its leg and feels even the slightest tension, it will drop its foot back to the ground in complete submission. It’s then easy to control the huge animal by chaining it just to a small stake. With minimal effort, the elephant could easily pull out the stake and run free, but it doesn’t try because it believes it can never break free. People also become imprisoned simply because they perceive freedom to be impossible. God wants us to conquer events rather than be conquered by them.

“LORD, we need You to help us stay pliable in Your hands. We chose to trust You even through the hard times.”

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Job 5 KJV

¹ Call now, if there be any that will answer thee; and to which of the saints wilt thou turn?  ² For wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth the silly one.  ³ I have seen the foolish taking root: but suddenly I cursed his habitation. ⁴ His children are far from safety, and they are crushed in the gate, neither is there any to deliver them . ⁵ Whose harvest the hungry eateth up, and taketh it even out of the thorns, and the robber swalloweth up their substance. ⁶ Although affliction cometh not forth of the dust, neither doth trouble spring out of the ground;  ⁷ Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.   ⁸ I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause: ⁹ Which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvellous things without number:   ¹⁰ Who giveth rain upon the earth, and sendeth waters upon the fields:  ¹¹ To set up on high those that be low; that those which mourn may be exalted to safety. ¹² He disappointeth the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform theirenterprise.  ¹³ He taketh the wise in their own craftiness: and the counsel of the froward is carried headlong. ¹⁴ They meet with darkness in the daytime, and grope in the noonday as in the night.  ¹⁵ But he saveth the poor from the sword, from their mouth, and from the hand of the mighty. ¹⁶ So the poor hath hope, and iniquity stoppeth her mouth. ¹⁷ Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty: ¹⁸ For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole. ¹⁹ He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee. ²⁰ In famine he shall redeem thee from death: and in war from the power of the sword.  ²¹ Thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue: neither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it cometh.  ²² At destruction and famine thou shalt laugh: neither shalt thou be afraid of the beasts of the earth. ²³ For thou shalt be in league with the stones of the field: and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee. ²⁴ And thou shalt know that thy tabernacle shall be in peace; and thou shalt visit thy habitation, and shalt not sin.   ²⁵ Thou shalt know also that thy seed shall be great, and thine offspring as the grass of the earth.  ²⁶ Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in in his season. ²⁷ Lo this, we have searched it, so it is; hear it, and know thou it for thy good.