Principles and Values
Even young children despise me; I arise, and they speak against me.All my close friends abhor me, and those whom I love have turned against me” (Job 19: 18, 19)
Even though Job was blameless, righteous, God-fearing, and turned away from evil, he still suffered a series of misfortunes that caused him extreme pain and suffering. He did not know that God had allowed Satan to test his limits. He only knew that though he was faithful to God, he still suffered the worst misfortunes one could imagine.
First, a group of nomads from Arabia raided his fields, took all his oxen and donkeys and killed his servants. Second, his sheep and their shepherds were set ablaze and died in a hu c fire. Third, three bands of Chaldeans (Semitic people in the south of Mesopotamia robbed all his camels and killed the servants who were with them. Fourth, when his seven sons and three daughters were having a celebration in the house of the older son, a strong wind from the desert struck the four corners of the house, causing the structure to topple over, killing them all. Fifth, Satan caused Job to suffer from terrible boils that covered his entire body, from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head, causing him misery and intense itching.
Even the greatest losses can be endured when loved ones surround us, and we have the support of sensitive and caring people who help us to go through tough trials. However, Job did not have this fundamental supportive factor. In t e mi t of his terribly suffering, his wife told him, «Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!» (Job 2:9). His three best friends started a dialogue with Job, not to support him but to blame him and point out his wrongdoings. They accused him of dreadful evil deceptions. Everybody turned away from him as we can see in his speech found in Job 19. His brothers moved away from him; his relatives and friends avoided him; his maids believed him to be strange; his servants did not answer when Job called them; and his closest friends abhorred him. Today’s text tells us that even children despised him.
Losing everything and also being rejected by our closest loved ones is a horrendous tragedy. Perhaps you have experienced something similar or know someone who has gone through this situation. But you can be sure of one thing: even if your loved ones abandon you, God will support you through any and every tribulation. That’s the wonderful promise He makes when He declares that He will be with you «always, even to the end of the age» (Matt. 28:20).
#AdultsDevotional
#RadioJovenAdventista
#MeditacionesDiarias
Taken from: Daily Devotions for Adults 2020
“A Cheerful Heart Is Good Medicine”
From: Julian Melgoza-Laura Fidanza
Colaboradores:Ricardo Vela & AlejandraZavala
