Daily Devotionals

Read Acts 5:33-38

PAUL

William Barclay calls Gamaliel an "unexpected ally." In the midst of flaring tempers and irrational thinking, this wise, seasoned teacher calmly rose to his feet and warned, "Take care here. Don't rush to judgment." In his words: "Stay away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or action is of men, it will be overthrown; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found fighting against God (Acts 5:38-39)."

Read Acts 5:29-32; 8:1-3

PAUL

Read Job 42:9-15

JOB

Did you read that too quickly? The end of verse 9? Mark it. "The LORD accepted." And then, "The LORD restored." End of verse 10, "The LORD increased." Beginning of verse 12, "The LORD blessed." Those are words of grace — statements of divine favour. Let them hit with full impact:

Accepted.

Restored.

Increased.

Blessed.

Read Job 42:10-17

JOB

Read Job 42:10-17

JOB

I’d like to offer several tips on how to stay young.

Number one: Your mind isn’t old, keep developing it. Watch less television and read more. Spend time with people who talk about events and ideas rather than sitting around a shop talking about people and how sorry this young generation has become. Nobody wants to be around a crotchety old person who sees only the clouds and talks only about bad weather.

Read Job 42:1-17

JOB

If you return to Job 1:3, you can read what Job originally owned. He had 7,000 sheep, and he winds up with 14,000. So his flocks grow as he feeds them and breeds them. Their numbers increase to twice the original flock. There's plenty to eat. And there's also plenty of land to graze, so the sheep grow in number to14,000.

Read Job 42:1-17

JOB

I find at least two enduring truths for us as I think through these closing scenes in Job's story. First, forgiveness is worth asking for. If there's something that has come between you and your heavenly Father, why wait at a distance? Come. Talk openly with Him. He loves to hear the unguarded confessions of His children. He takes delight in our humble admission of wrong. Just tell Him. As we have seen, He will never turn you away. Forgiveness is worth the asking.

Read Job 42:1-11

JOB

Read Job 42:1-11

JOB

Take special notice of Job's words. He does not reply, "I've got an argument here." On the contrary, He says, "I retract and repent." There's no divine force. There's no threatening rebuke from God. "Job, if you don't get down on your knees and beg for mercy from Me, I'm going to finish you off!"

Read Job 42:1-11

JOB