Job 35 (Listen)

35:1 And Elihu answered and said:

  “Do you think this to be just?
    Do you say, ‘It is my right before God,’
  that you ask, ‘What advantage have I?
    How am I better off than if I had sinned?’
  I will answer you
    and your friends with you.
  Look at the heavens, and see;
    and behold the clouds, which are higher than you.
  If you have sinned, what do you accomplish against him?
    And if your transgressions are multiplied, what do you do to him?
  If you are righteous, what do you give to him?
    Or what does he receive from your hand?
  Your wickedness concerns a man like yourself,
    and your righteousness a son of man.
  “Because of the multitude of oppressions people cry out;
    they call for help because of the arm of the mighty.
10   But none says, ‘Where is God my Maker,
    who gives songs in the night,
11   who teaches us more than the beasts of the earth
    and makes us wiser than the birds of the heavens?’
12   There they cry out, but he does not answer,
    because of the pride of evil men.
13   Surely God does not hear an empty cry,
    nor does the Almighty regard it.
14   How much less when you say that you do not see him,
    that the case is before him, and you are waiting for him!
15   And now, because his anger does not punish,
    and he does not take much note of transgression,
16   Job opens his mouth in empty talk;
    he multiplies words without knowledge.”




Devotional:

People cry out because of severe oppression; they shout for help because of the power of the mighty.  But no one asks, “Where is God my Maker, who provides us with songs in the night?” (Job 35:9-10a CSB)

Elihu goes on to say how easy it is to cry to God when we need help, but how forgetful we are of God when things are going well. Do you think this is true? Do you spend more time in prayer when you’re desperately in need of God’s help or when things are going well? This is a good reminder to be intentional at praising and thanking God just because of who He is. Thank Him for giving us those days when we joyfully sing in the night. Thank Him for His beautiful creation and for the ability to experience the seasons change, the flowers bloom, and the birds sing. May we praise Him and thank Him always!

Pray it: Father, I thank you for being an ever present help, that you are there in the difficult times but that you are also when things are going well. Help me stay close to you and depend upon you in all seasons. Amen. 

Share it: Who is someone you can share a verse or thought from this passage with today?