faith – Page 2 – The Georgia Nest

The Study of Job – Post Nine

September 1, 2025August 31, 2025 brookepacheco5

Week Twelve of the Devotional Series

The Study of Job: Week Nine

*Note – As we continue our journey through the Bible in chronological order, this is our 9th week in the book of Job. Though this is Week 12 overall, we’re still walking alongside Job. *

Devotional Format: I Do – We Do – You Do

Focus: Job 32 – 34

Tip: I highly recommend journaling your responses to the questions, prompts, and reflections. Writing them out can help you process more deeply and see how God is working in your life.

This week’s devotion includes:

Chapter 32- “Elihu Speaks”

Chapter 33- “Deliverance from the Pit”

Chapter 34- “God is Always Just”

(Remember: This is a once-a-week devotional that can be broken up over several days.)

Bible Memory:

Did you memorize last week’s Bible verse?

Hiding God’s Word in our hearts is such a valuable practice. Since I’ve been memorizing Scripture, I’ve experienced so many moments where God brings a specific verse to mind just when I need it most. It’s amazing how He uses His Word to speak into our lives right where we are.

This Week’s Memory Verse — “When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble? and when he hideth his face, who then can behold him? whether it be done against a nation, or against a man only.” – Job 34:29

I Do – Watch Me Study

Job Chapter 32

“Elihu Speaks”

(Read Job Chapter 32 First)

In Job 32, Job’s three friends Bildad, Eliphaz, and Zophar stop speaking because they believe Job is only righteous in his own eyes. Then a young man named Elihu joins the discussion. He is upset with Job, thinking Job may be claiming righteousness for himself. At the same time, Elihu is frustrated with Job’s friends because, in his eyes, they have not adequately answered Job or provided true wisdom.

Elihu begins by acknowledging his youth. He says essentially, “I am young and you are old, so I was hesitant to speak at first. But I have been listening carefully, and I cannot remain silent any longer. God has given me understanding, and I must share what I know.”

As you read the next couple of chapters of Job you will see why having discernment is so important. Discernment means listening carefully, considering your words and the words of others with care, and testing everything against God’s Word. Sometimes people may sound confident or wise, but that doesn’t mean everything they say is true. Like Job’s other friends, Elihu does give some truth and wisdom but not always in the right context concerning Job. Elihu’s speech reminds us of the need for discernment.

Reflection Questions / Journal Prompts:

1. How do I usually respond when someone sounds confident or bold? Do I automatically assume they’re right, or do I pause to consider their words?

2. When was a time I believed something that sounded wise but later realized it didn’t align with God’s Word? What did I learn from that experience?

3. What practical steps can I take to grow in discernment? Consider these ideas…

Study and Meditate on Scripture Daily

God’s Word is the ultimate standard of truth. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” – Psalm 119:105

We can practice this by reading, highlighting, and memorizing Scripture regularly to train your mind to recognize truth.

2. Pray for Wisdom and Understanding

God gives wisdom generously to those who ask. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” – James 1:5. We can begin each day with a prayer asking God to guide our thoughts and decisions.

3. Test Everything Against God’s Word

Not every teaching or advice is from God. “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:21. When we hear teaching, compare it to Scripture before accepting it as truth.

4. Seek Godly Counsel

Wise, mature believers can help clarify things. “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.” – Proverbs 11:14. We can ask trusted pastors, mentors, or mature friends for guidance when facing decisions.

5. Keep a Teachable Heart

Pride blocks discernment; humility opens you to God’s guidance. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” –Proverbs 9:10. Try to approach every lesson, correction, or challenge with a willingness to learn rather than defend yourself.

6. Observe Life and Consequences

God often reveals truth through experience and reflection. “But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” – Hebrews 5:14. Reflect on past decisions and notice patterns that confirm God’s principles.

4. How can I tell the difference between my own opinions and the truth of God’s Word?

5. Why is discernment especially important in a world where so many voices compete for my attention?

6. Who in my life can help me test what I hear against Scripture and keep me grounded in truth?

Sometimes silence is wiser. Other times, courage is required to share truth. Today, I encourage you to ask God for discernment in knowing when to speak and when to wait.

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We Do – Let’s Study Together

Job Chapter 33

“Deliverance from the Pit”

(Read Job Chapter 33 First)

In Job 33, Elihu steps forward to speak after Job’s three friends fall silent. Elihu is young, but he believes God’s Spirit has given him understanding. He pleads with Job to listen, assuring him that he is only a man like Job, not God Himself, so Job does not need to fear him. Elihu sees his role as an interpreter who can bring God’s perspective into the conversation.

He reminds Job of something important: God is greater than man. He believes Job had spoken as if God were treating him unfairly, but Elihu challenges that thought. God is not unjust, nor does He need to answer to us. His wisdom far surpasses ours.

Elihu explains that God often speaks in ways people don’t understand. This could be through dreams, through warnings, or through suffering. Verse 16 says, “Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction.” In other words, God knows how to get our attention, and when He does, He impresses His lesson firmly on our hearts. Just as a loving parent disciplines a child to correct them, God sometimes allows hardship to draw us away from sin or pride and back to reliance on Him (v.17). I love the promise in Isaiah 26:3: “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” When I focus my mind on Him, I can experience His perfect peace… even in the middle of trials.

Verses 18–22 describe a person wasting away without God. Maybe they are lost or backsliding, but there is hope: in verses 23–24, Elihu speaks of a messenger, “an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness.” He says God will be gracious and provide a ransom, delivering that person from the pit. This points us toward Christ, the true Mediator and ransom for our sins. 1 Timothy 2:5–6 says “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus: Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” John 14:6 says “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” I am so thankful that through Jesus, anyone who has wandered or feels distant from God can be restored and brought into a right relationship with Him.

The result of God’s saving work is restoration: We can experience renewed strength, answered prayer, joy in God’s presence, and a life transformed by grace. God’s mercy rescues us even though we do nothing to deserve it.

Elihu closes by urging Job to listen and learn wisdom. While Elihu himself is not perfect, this chapter gives us a glimpse of how God uses both discipline and deliverance to bring people back to Himself and how ultimately Christ fulfills the role of the true Ransom and Mediator.

Journal Prompts / Discussion Questions:

1. Can you think of a time when God had to “open your ears” to get your attention? What did He teach you through it?

2. How do you usually respond to God’s discipline? Do you have resentment, fear, or gratitude? Why?

3. Elihu speaks of a ransom (v.24). How does this foreshadow what Jesus accomplished for us on the cross?

4. In what ways has God restored joy, peace, or strength to you after a season of struggle?

5. Where in your life might God be calling you to rely less on yourself and more on Him right now?

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You Do – Apply It Personally

Job Chapter 34

“God is Always Just”

(Read Job Chapter 34 First)

In Job 34, Elihu continues his speech by calling the “men of understanding” to listen. He compares the ear to the mouth by explaining that just as our mouth tastes food to see if it is good, so our ears should discern whether what we hear is good and true (v.3). 1 Thessalonians 5:21 says, “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” That raises an important question for us: Are we discerning about what we take in? Just because someone is speaking about God, or even quoting Scripture, doesn’t mean what they’re saying is true. Like Job’s friends, it can sound wise and yet be misleading. We must measure everything we hear against God’s Word.

Elihu reminds everyone of Job’s complaints: Job insists that he hasn’t sinned, but God has denied him justice. Elihu accuses Job of speaking carelessly, saying his words sound like those of the wicked (vv.5–9). Elihu misrepresents Job’s words, but he does bring up something important: our words matter. In his suffering, Job’s words about God may have been sliding into dangerous territory. The same can happen to us if we’re not careful. In our pain, we can begin to speak in ways that misrepresent God’s character.

Let’s look at two verses about the power of the tongue:

Proverbs 18:21 says “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”

James 3:5 explains, “Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!”

Elihu does speak truth about God’s character. He reminds us that God is always just. This truth is mentioned throughout Scripture. Deuteronomy 32:4 tell us that “He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.” Psalm 89:14 says, “Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face.” The problem is not with Elihu’s view of God, but with how he applies it to Job’s situation. Elihu assumes that Job must have done something wrong because he is suffering. That part was incorrect. We, too, need to be careful not to take a true statement about God and misapply it to someone’s life. God’s justice is perfect, but we don’t always see the full picture of how it works out in His timing.

These statements remind us of something important: we are completely dependent on God for life, justice, and truth.

• “Far be it from God, that he should do wickedness” (v.10).

• God gives each person according to their deeds (v.11)

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. (Galatians 6:7).

• He created the world, He sustains our very breath (vv.13–15), and He rules in perfect justice (v.17).

• No one is hidden from Him; He sees all people the same, whether rich or poor (vv.18–20). Hebrew 4:13 reiterates this. “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.”

One verse that excites me is Job 34:29: “When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble?” What a comfort! If God grants peace, no one can steal it from us. People may try, circumstances may rattle us, but His peace is sure. Philippians 4:7 says “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

On the other hand, if He hides His face, no one can find Him. That’s why repentance and humility are so important! We need God’s presence more than anything else.

Elihu ends harshly, sounding much like Job’s other three friends. He claims Job should be tried more, because his words sound wicked (vv.35–37). This shows Elihu’s error: he was right about God’s justice, but wrong in how he applied it to Job. He failed to offer compassion or recognize Job’s true righteousness, which God Himself later affirms.

Here is a challenge for us this week:

• Discern what you hear. Just as you wouldn’t eat spoiled food, don’t swallow every word spoken about God without testing it against Scripture.

• Guard your words in suffering. Pain can tempt us to say things that misrepresent God. Ask Him for strength to hold fast to His truth, even when life feels unfair.

• Rest in God’s peace. If God has granted you quietness, no one can take it away. Trust Him to be your peace, no matter what surrounds you.

Key Takeaway:

God is always just, but we must be careful not to misapply His truth. Our words matter and our greatest security is found in God’s peace, which no one can take away.

Heavenly Father,

We want to ask You today to help us practice discernment. Thank You for Your Word that we have as an “answer key” to compare what we hear to what You say is correct. Help us to keep a humble, teachable heart so that we are open to Your guidance. Help us discern when to speak and when to wait. Thank You for giving us peace even sometimes in the middle of trials. Thank You for being our ransom and mediator. Help us to remember that what we say matters and we have the power to speak life and death…Help us to always choose to speak life. Thank You for your peace that no one and no circumstance can take away from us. Help us to rest in it.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen

The Study of Job – Post Eight

August 25, 2025August 24, 2025 brookepacheco5

Week Eleven of the Devotional Series

The Study of Job: Week Eight

*Note – As we continue our journey through the Bible in chronological order, this is our eighth week in the book of Job. Though this is Week 11 overall, we’re still walking alongside Job. *

Devotional Format: I Do – We Do – You Do

Focus: Job 29 – 31

Tip: I highly recommend journaling your responses to the questions, prompts, and reflections. Writing them out can help you process more deeply and see how God is working in your life.

This week’s devotion includes:

Chapter 29 – “Don’t Take Your Blessings for Granted”

Chapter 30 – “The Depths of Job’s Grief”

Chapter 31 – “Living with Integrity Before God”

(Remember: This is a once-a-week devotional that can be broken up over several days.)

Bible Memory:

Did you memorize last week’s Bible verse?

This Week’s Memory Verse — “Let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may know mine integrity.” – Job 31:6

I Do – Watch Me Study

Job Chapter 29

“Don’t Take Your Blessings for Granted”

(Read Job Chapter 29 First)

Job continues his speech in chapter 29 by reminiscing about just a few months earlier when his life was good and easy. Reading this made me stop and think how often do I take my own life for granted? On the days when I feel overwhelmed with endless housework and the constant care of everyone around me, it’s easy to lose perspective on how very blessed I am. But oh how things could be much worse. I need to remember this, even on the messy, overstimulating days, and praise God for His protection and blessings.

In verse 4, Job says something that really stood out to me: “When the secret of God was upon my tabernacle.” This is a picture of being in close fellowship with God and walking in His inner circle. Job had intimacy with the Lord. Before tragedy struck, his children were around him. Everything he touched seemed to prosper. Younger men respected him, and older men revered him. He was known for lifting people’s spirits and being a source of help when someone was in need (v.13).

Then verse 14 really spoke to me: “I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgment was as a robe and a diadem.” Job wasn’t righteous in himself. He had to put it on like clothing. That image makes me think of how we get dressed each morning. Just as we put on earthly clothing, we need to “put on” spiritual clothing too. Each day we must invite God to cover our flesh with His righteousness, asking anew for His Spirit to lead us and not our own strength.

Job continues describing his life before suffering. He was eyes to the blind, feet to the lame, a father to the poor. If he didn’t know an answer, he sought it out. He defended the weak and stood against the wicked. In verse 18, he says, “I shall die in my nest, and I shall multiply my days as the sand.” Job thought his life would always remain stable and secure, ending in peace at home.

Then verse 19 paints another picture: “My root was spread out by the waters, and the dew lay all night upon my branch.” Roots make me think of stability, grounding, and protection. Job’s roots weren’t just in the dirt, they were spread out by the water, in the best possible place for nourishment and refreshment. The dew all night long symbolized constant replenishment. What a picture of Christ in us! The true Living Water who sustains and strengthens our roots day and night!

Job goes on to describe the respect others gave him. Verse 23 stood out to me: “They waited for me as for the rain.” To others, his words were refreshing, life-giving, full of truth and wisdom. People longed for his counsel like dry ground longs for rain.

Reading this chapter, I can imagine how Job must have longed to return to that life. But the greater lesson for me is this: don’t take the blessings of today for granted. Even in the ordinary days, even in the tiring days, God’s presence and favor are gifts. My prayer for myself and for you is that we will choose to clothe ourselves in His righteousness daily, root ourselves in His living water, and offer life-giving words to those who need refreshment, just as Job once did.

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We Do – Let’s Study Together

Job Chapter 30

“The Depths of Job’s Grief”

(Read Job Chapter 30 First)

In Job 30, the contrast with the previous chapter could not be greater. In chapter 29, Job remembered the honor, respect, and blessings he once enjoyed. But here, he describes how everything has changed. Now, even the younger people who once looked up to him, laugh at and mock him. These were the same men who used to be outcasts, poor, despised, and driven into the wilderness. Job says he wouldn’t have trusted them even to watch his sheepdogs (v.1). Yet now, in his suffering, they are the ones scorning him.

He felt deep humiliation. Job once stood in dignity, but now the lowest of society feel free to ridicule him. In verse 11, he says, “Because he hath loosed my cord, and afflicted me, they have also let loose the bridle before me.” Job feels like God has allowed his life to unravel, and since He has lifted His hand of blessing, people don’t even try to hide their disrespect anymore. They insult him openly with taunting and belittling.

From verse 15 onward, Job pours out how much he is suffering. He remembers being revered, but now he is filled with terror and misery. His body is consumed with pain. His bones feel pierced at night, his clothing hurts against his skin, his boils make him miserable. He feels like God has thrown him into the wind, tossing him about until he disintegrates. He longs for the grave, but it feels like his suffering will drag on endlessly. He cries out to God saying, “Didn’t I do good? Didn’t I grieve for the poor? Didn’t I help the troubled?” (v.25). Yet instead of blessing, Job feels only grief, turmoil, and loneliness.

This chapter is heavy. Job is brutally honest about how crushed he feels. And maybe you’ve been there too. Maybe not with boils covering your skin, but with pain that doesn’t let up, with people who mock or misunderstand you, with prayers that seem unanswered, with the weight of loneliness pressing down.

What can we take from Job’s words?

• It’s okay to be honest with God. Job didn’t hide his feelings. He laid out his pain and confusion. God doesn’t rebuke him for this. He can handle our honesty too.

• Seasons change. Job 29 and Job 30 remind us how quickly life can shift. Good days may give way to hard days. But just as seasons change, God is faithful to carry us through until the light shines again.

• God’s silence is not God’s absence. Job felt unheard, but the truth is God was still watching, still present, still writing the rest of Job’s story. The same is true for us.

Maybe today feels like a Job 30 season that’s heavy, painful, and lonely. If so, let this chapter remind you: God has not abandoned you, even if it feels that way. He is still holding the cord of your life, and though you may feel tossed by the wind, He has not let you go.

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You Do – Apply It Personally

Job Chapter 31

“Living with Integrity Before God”

(Read Job Chapter 31 First)

Job 31 is Job’s closing defense of his integrity. He begins by declaring a covenant he made with his eyes. He made a deliberate choice to guard himself from lust and impurity (v.1). He recognized that adultery is destructive, he explains that its like “a fire that consumeth to destruction” (v.12). He understood that righteousness wasn’t just about outward actions but inward purity too.

Throughout the chapter, Job responds to the accusations of his friends. He makes it clear: he hasn’t oppressed the poor, ignored the widow, or taken advantage of the fatherless. Why? Because he knows he is accountable before the same God who formed every human being (v.15). To disregard or dismiss the complaints of the vulnerable would be to sin against his Maker.

Job also didn’t let his heart be drawn away from God. He didn’t place his hope in riches, rejoice in wealth, or worship the creation of the sun, moon, or stars. His confidence was in God alone. He refused to rejoice at the downfall of his enemies (v.29–30) and was generous in opening his home to the poor (v.32).

By the end, Job wishes there were a written record of his case. He’s so confident of his innocence that he would carry the accusations like a crown (v.35–36). His life was an open book before God. He essentially says, “If I have sinned in these ways, let judgment fall on me. But I know I have walked with integrity.”

Job 31 challenges us deeply: Can we say the same? Do we live in such a way that if something false were said about us, no one would believe it?

Let’s look at how we can apply what we’ve learned into our own lives:

Like Job, we are called to live with integrity before God. Integrity means wholeness or being the same person in private as we are in public. Job wasn’t perfect, but he pursued righteousness intentionally.

For us today, this could look like:

• Guarding our eyes and hearts from impurity.

• Treating others with dignity, especially the poor, the weak, and the overlooked.

• Refusing to put our trust in money, status, or success.

• Choosing kindness over vengeance, even toward enemies.

• Keeping our lives “an open book” before God.

Living this way doesn’t guarantee people won’t misunderstand or accuse us. Even Job’s friends thought the worst of him. But it does mean we can stand before God with a clean conscience.

Journaling Prompts:

1. Have I made any “inner covenants” with God to guard my heart and walk in purity? If not, what is one I could begin today?

2. In what ways do I need to shift my trust away from wealth, possessions, or self-reliance and back onto God?

3. Is there anyone I’ve despised, ignored, or treated as “less than” whom God is calling me to see through His eyes?

4. Could I honestly say my life is an “open book” before God? What areas might I be hiding?

I challenge us this week to…

Choose one specific way to practice integrity. Maybe that means setting a boundary for what you watch or read, committing to speak truth even when it’s uncomfortable, giving to someone in need without telling anyone, or praying daily for someone who has hurt you. Write it down, commit it to God in prayer, and take one intentional step each day to follow through. Here’s some examples of what that could look like.

• Guard your eyes: Write it down, pray for self-control, identify and avoid triggers, and pause to ask God before engaging with anything that might pull your heart away from Him.

• Speak truth even when it’s hard: Pray for courage, find one opportunity to speak honestly and kindly, act on it, and reflect on what God taught you.

• Give quietly to someone in need: Ask God to show you who needs help, bless them without seeking recognition, and journal how it felt to give secretly.

• Pray for someone who has hurt you: Commit to praying for them daily, ask God to soften your heart, and note any changes in your own attitude or peace.

Write your chosen challenge down, commit it to God in prayer, take one intentional step each day, and reflect on how He is working in your heart.

Key Takeaway:

Job’s final defense reminds us that integrity isn’t about being perfect but about being wholehearted before God. Its about guarding our hearts, treating others with dignity, and keeping our confidence in Him alone. When we live this way, even if others misunderstand us, we can stand before God with a clean conscience.

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for the many blessings that you’ve given to us so freely even though we are undeserving and may sometimes take them for granted. I pray we would be more mindful and appreciative of all you’ve done for us. Lord, we desire for the the secret of God to be upon our tabernacle as it was for Job, so that we may experience that close fellowship with You everyday. Lord, help us to ‘put on’ Your righteousness like we do our clothing. We can’t rely on our own strength, but we need You guiding us through each day. We desire to be rooted by Your living water so that you can nourish and sustain us and give us life giving words to give to others. Help us in our challenge this week to build our integrity. I pray that you will guide us in an area that needs work in our lives. Help us to make those intentional steps to grow.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen

The Study of Job – Post Seven

August 18, 2025August 18, 2025 brookepacheco5

Week Ten of the Devotional Series

The Study of Job: Week Seven

*Note – As we continue our journey through the Bible in chronological order, this is our seventh week in the book of Job. Though this is Week 10 overall, we’re still walking alongside Job. *

Devotional Format: I Do – We Do – You Do

Focus: Job 24 – 28

Tip: I highly recommend journaling your responses to the questions, prompts, and reflections. Writing them out can help you process more deeply and see how God is working in your life.

This week’s devotion includes:

Chapter 24 – “When Justice Feels Delayed”

Chapter 25 – “God Is Great, We Are Small”

Chapter 26 – “Job Declares God’s Greatness”

Chapter 27 – “Job’s Final Defense of His Integrity”

Chapter 28 – “The Treasure of True Wisdom”

(Remember: This is a once-a-week devotional that can be broken up over several days.)

Bible Memory:

Did you memorize last week’s Bible verse?

This Week’s Memory Verse — “And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom: and to depart from evil is understanding.” – Job 28:28

I Do – Watch Me Study

Job Chapter 24

“When Justice Feels Delayed”

(Read Job Chapter 24 First)

Job 24 opens with Job wrestling with a deep question: If God sees and knows all, why does it seem like He delays His justice? Job is struggling with what many of us have felt watching people live in sin and selfishness while their lives appear to flourish, and wondering why God doesn’t step in right away.

In verses 2–11, Job lists the wicked acts of people who oppress, neglect, and exploit the poor. They take what isn’t theirs, push aside the vulnerable, and even profit from their suffering. And yet, the cries of these oppressed people seem unanswered.

Can you relate to that? Have you ever prayed for God to act in a situation of injustice and felt like He stayed silent? Maybe you’ve tried to live in obedience, only to see others who ignore God’s ways seemingly prosper. That’s exactly where Job’s heart is here. He’s torn between his trust in God’s justice and his struggle to understand God’s timing.

This chapter challenges us to understand the tension that Job felt. It’s not wrong to bring these hard questions to God. In fact, it can deepen our faith when we do. As we read, we’re invited to notice how Job is brutally honest in prayer and that’s something God can handle from us, too.

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Job Chapter 25

“God Is Great, We Are Small”

(Read Job Chapter 25 First)

In Job 25, Bildad gives his final speech, and he packs it with truths about God’s greatness and our smallness. He reminds Job that God is the source of fear, dominion, and peace. His power is unmatched, His armies are countless, and His sight misses nothing. No one is hidden from Him.

While Bildad’s words about God’s majesty and man’s unworthiness are true, we must remember his speech comes in the context of wrongly accusing Job. Even truth can be misused when applied without compassion or discernment.

Bildad’s main point is: If even the moon and stars, creations we see as pure and beautiful, are not pure in God’s sight, then how much less is man, who is sinful by nature? Bildad compares humanity to a worm, highlighting how enormous the gap is between God’s holiness and our fallen state.

When we really think about this truth, it humbles us. It takes away any illusion that we can “plead our case” before God based on our own goodness. We are reminded that only through His mercy and grace, not our goodness, can we stand before Him. This is why Jesus’ sacrifice is everything for us. Without Him, we are unworthy; with Him, we are made righteous.

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We Do – Let’s Study Together

Job Chapter 26

“Job Declares God’s Greatness”

(Read Job Chapter 26 First)

Job begins by challenging Bildad’s supposed wisdom with some sarcastic questions. Essentially, he’s asking, “If you know so much, how have you actually helped the weak or the helpless? How have you saved those without strength? How have you counseled those with no wisdom?” It’s a good moment for us to pause and think…when we speak to others about God, are our words truly helping them, or are we just showing off what we know?

From there, Job turns our attention to God’s unmatched power. Nothing is hidden from Him. Nothing in the depths of the earth and nothing in the vast heavens. Job paints picture after picture of God’s authority: He hangs the earth on nothing, holds oceans in their boundaries, and stores water in clouds without them bursting. He commands the seas, marks the horizon, and has authority over all creation.

Together, we can let this passage stir our awe. The God who can do all these things is the same God who sees us, hears us, and holds our lives. And yet, Job says we’re only catching a tiny glimpse of His greatness.

So what does that mean for us this week? It means we can trust Him even when life feels uncertain because His power is limitless, His wisdom is perfect, and His vision sees far beyond our own. It means when we feel weak or without answers, we don’t need clever speeches from friends; we need to go straight to the One who hangs the earth on nothing. And it means we should speak to others from a place of compassion and truth, pointing them to God’s greatness instead of our own knowledge.

This week, I challenge you to do two things:

1. Spend intentional time reflecting on God’s greatness. Each day, take a few minutes to read Job 26:5–14 slowly. Let your mind picture the images Job describes…the earth hanging on nothing, the seas contained, the horizon set in place. Then thank God for His unmatched power and the fact that He cares for you personally.

2. Be mindful of how you speak into someone else’s struggle. Before you offer advice, pause and pray. Ask yourself, Will my words bring help, hope, and truth? Or will they simply display what I know? Let compassion and God’s truth guide your conversations.

By doing these two things, you’ll be practicing what Job’s words invite us to do which is keeping our eyes fixed on God’s power while also keeping our words and actions full of grace.

“Job’s Final Defense of His Integrity”

(Read Job Chapter 27 First)

Job begins this chapter acknowledging that God has allowed all his trouble, yet he affirms that God’s Spirit still lives within him. Even in his pain, Job pledges not to speak wickedness or deceit, even though he longs to justify himself to his friends. He will not lose his integrity.

Do we still care about integrity today?

Integrity is a choice we make to remain innocent, upright, morally whole, and consistent in character.

For Job, “mine integrity” means:

• Moral uprightness before God. He has lived in obedience and reverence.

• Honesty about the truth.He refuses to falsely admit guilt just to end the argument.

• Inner wholeness. Staying true to himself before God without hypocrisy.

In other words, Job is saying:

“I will never lie and say you are right about me being a secret sinner. I will hold fast to my innocence and honest walk with God until the day I die.”

This is not pride. It’s a commitment to truthfulness and righteousness under pressure.

Let’s break down Verses 8–10: The Hypocrite’s Hopelessness

Verse 8 – “For what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul?”

• A hypocrite lives a double life. They pretend to serve God while secretly in sin.

• Any earthly gain is worthless when God requires his life.

Verse 9 – “Will God hear his cry when trouble cometh upon him?”

• When hardship strikes, the hypocrite can cry out, but God may not respond favorably because the relationship wasn’t real to begin with.

This implies that God listens to those who are sincere, but may not to those who only turn to Him when desperate.

Verse 10 – “Will he delight himself in the Almighty? will he always call upon God?”

• The hypocrite does not truly love God. He seeks Him only for benefits.

• He will not continually seek God in both good times and bad.

Here’s the big picture:

Job contrasts himself with the hypocrite. His friends’ accusations don’t fit him. He has a genuine relationship with God, which is why he refuses to let go of his integrity.

Now, let’s break down verses 11–23: The Ultimate End of the Wicked

In these verses, Job will try to teach his friends what they should already know…that the end of the wicked is destruction.

• Their children may be many, but some will die by violence, others will go hungry.

• They will not be mourned when they die.

• Their riches and fine clothing will end up in the hands of the righteous.

• Their homes are flimsy and temporary.

• Fear and judgment from God will overtake them, and they will be cast away.

I want to point out one thing that confused me, so I did some research for clarification…

Job is speaking of the ultimate outcome of the wicked and not necessarily what their life looks like here and now. Earlier (Job 21) he observed that the wicked can prosper temporarily and even die peacefully. Here, he affirms that God’s justice will still come in His timing.

What is Wickedness?

Hebrew (Old Testament):

• (Rashaʿ) – lawlessness, injustice, guilt; actively turning from God’s ways.

• (Avon) – moral crookedness, guilt; the sin and its consequences.

Greek (New Testament):

• (Ponēria) – depravity, deliberate evil, harmful intent flowing from an evil heart.

Let’s explore what the Bible says about wickedness.

• Psalm 10:4 says “The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.”

• Proverbs 6:16–19 says “These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: a proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, an heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, a false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.”

• Isaiah 55:7 says “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.”

• Romans 1:29 says “Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,”

According to God’s Word, wickedness is not just outwardly evil actions, but a heart that rejects God. It shows up in pride, lying, violence, deceit, lust, envy, selfish ambition, and hatred. The wicked may prosper for a season or even die in peace, but their lives are marked by separation from God. They will ultimately face God’s righteous judgment. Yet, in His mercy, the Lord invites the wicked to forsake their ways and return to Him, promising abundant mercy and forgiveness.

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You Do – Apply It Personally

Job Chapter 28

“The Treasure of True Wisdom”

(Read Job Chapter 28 First)

Job begins this chapter by painting a picture of human skill and determination. Men dig into the earth, braving dark, dangerous places, even controlling underground waters, just to uncover silver, gold, iron, and precious stones. They explore places unseen by birds, animals, or any human foot to bring what was hidden into the light. Job uses this imagery to make a powerful point: while man can uncover earthly treasures, true wisdom is far more precious and cannot be mined or bought.

Wisdom is not found in the land of the living for us to dig up. Its value surpasses even the finest jewels, yet its source is entirely from God. God knows the way to wisdom; He measures the winds, weighs the waters, controls the rains, and brings order to the world. In the end of this chapter, Job told us God’s own definition of wisdom:

“Behold, the fear of the Lord is wisdom: and to depart from evil is understanding.” – Job 28:28

Let’s see how we can apply Job 28 to our own life:

1. Seek wisdom from God and not the world.

• Just as miners labor to find treasure, we must be intentional in seeking God through prayer, Scripture, and listening to His Spirit. But unlike earthly wealth, wisdom comes as a gift from the Lord when we surrender our lives to Him.

2. Value what is eternal over what is temporary.

• True wisdom surpasses gold and silver. Pause and ask yourself: Are you chasing your “right now” desires or are you seeking God’s perspective in your decisions and relationships?

3. Fear the Lord daily.

• The “fear of the Lord” is a reverent awe, a recognition of His power, and a willingness to obey Him. This daily routine opens our hearts to understanding and guides us away from sin.

4. Trust God’s timing and guidance.

• Wisdom cannot be rushed or manufactured. As we grow in relationship with God, He gently reveals insight for the choices, challenges, and opportunities of each day.

Reflection Questions:

• What areas of your life do you need God’s wisdom for right now?

• Are there decisions or problems you’re trying to “figure out” on your own instead of seeking God?

• How can you cultivate a daily fear of the Lord that leads to understanding?

• Do you value God’s wisdom more than worldly success or possessions?

Key Takeaway:

Trust God’s timing, hold fast to integrity, and seek His wisdom above all else. Remember…what is hidden from the world is revealed to those who fear the Lord.

Heavenly Father,

I want to thank you for another week of us coming together to study and learn from You through the book of Job. We saw this week that we must trust Your timing even when we feel that justice is not being done in our eyes. We must bring those hard thoughts to you when we have questions. We see just how worthy You are of our praise as Your majesty and greatness are revealed to us in Your Word. We thank You for Your mercy, grace, and sacrifice for us. Lord, help us with this week’s challenge to keep us in awe of your greatness and to pray about our intentions before we offer others words of advice. Let compassion guide us this week. Help us to seek wisdom from You through a surrendered life, keep our minds focused on eternal things, fear and obey You, and trust Your timing and guidance.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen

The Study of Job – Post Six

August 11, 2025 brookepacheco5

Week Nine of the Devotional Series

*Note – As we continue our journey through the Bible in chronological order, this is our sixth week in the book of Job. Though this is Week 9 overall, we’re still walking alongside Job. *

Devotional Format: I Do – We Do – You Do

Focus: Job 21 – 23

Tip: I highly recommend journaling your responses to the questions, prompts, and reflections. Writing them out can help you process more deeply and see how God is working in your life.

This week’s devotion includes:

Chapter 21 – “The Prosperity of the Wicked”

Chapter 22 – “Eliphaz’s Final Rebuke”

Chapter 23 – “Reflecting on Your Connection with God”

(Remember: This is a once-a-week devotional that can be done in one day or broken up over several days.)

Bible Memory:

Did you memorize last week’s Bible verse?

This Week’s Memory Verse — Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. – James 4:8

I Do – Watch Me Study

Job Chapter 21

“The Prosperity of the Wicked”

(Read Job Chapter 21 First)

Job begins by asking his friends to really listen carefully to what he’s saying. He’s exhausted, misunderstood, and trying to explain a deep frustration many of us can relate to: “You’re not hearing me.”

That immediately made me ask:

Have I ever felt unheard or misjudged by people who were supposed to support me?

Yes. And it helped me empathize more with Job.

Then Job shifts. He challenges their assumptions: that the wicked always suffer and the righteous always prosper. Job essentially says, “Look around. We’ve all seen wicked people live long, successful, peaceful lives. He’s pointing out some hard truth.

When Job says in verse 7, “Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power?”This was Job deconstructing a false belief: that suffering is always a direct result of sin.

From there, I noticed a key shift in verse 16:

“Lo, their good is not in their hand: the counsel of the wicked is far from me.”

Even though Job sees the wicked prospering, he doesn’t want to follow their path. That stood out to me. It’s easy to envy success, but Job keeps his heart aligned with God, even when life feels unfair.

Then I came to verse 17:

“How oft is the candle of the wicked put out! and how oft cometh their destruction upon them! God distributeth sorrows in his anger.”

That verse humbled me. God may allow some to prosper for a time, but ultimately He judges with perfect justice. And when it is time for Him to distribute sorrow, it’s not random. He always has a purpose.

This made me ask:

What makes God angry?

I took time to look that up in Scripture, and here’s what I found:

• Idolatry

They provoked him to jealousy with strange gods, with abominations provoked they him to anger – Deuteronomy 32:16

• Injustice

Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed;

To turn aside the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless!

And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation which shall come from far? to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory? Isaiah 10:1-3

• Complaining

And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it; and his wrath was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp – Numbers 11:1

• Rebellion

For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king – 1 Samuel 15:23

• Pride

These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood Proverbs 6:16-17

• Sexual sin

Even the souls that did after the filth of those things, and the souls that did abominable things,

I will even blot out of my people that day, and ye shall bear your iniquities, and shall know my breach of promise Leviticus 18:27-28

• Religious hypocrisy

Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting.

Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them.

And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood– Isaiah 1:13-15

• Breaking covenant

The Shepherds that feed my people wrongfully, that cause them to err, my

people, that hear not my word; yea, they that cause them to forget my law,

must be sprinkled with blood, and punished with burning flame – Jeremiah 22:9

It reminded me that I need to examine what pleases or displeases the Lord.

In verses 23–26, Job contrasts two people who live and die very differently but end up in the same grave. That truth hits hard. Our external lives may look very different, but God alone knows the heart and handles the judgment.

Let’s Reflect:

• Am I more focused on appearances or on the state of my soul?

• Do I trust that God will deal justly, even when I can’t see it yet?

Lastly, Job calls out the false thinking of his friends and yet stays humble, letting God be his defender. He doesn’t let their flawed views define his reality.

That’s a model for me. I want to respond with honesty, but also with restraint. Let God speak for me.

Final Thought for This Chapter:

Job teaches us that real wisdom doesn’t come from assumptions. It comes from listening, seeking truth, and trusting God’s justice.

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We Do – Let’s Study Together

Job Chapter 22

“Eliphaz’s Final Rebuke”

(Read Job Chapter 22 First)

In Job 22, Eliphaz speaks for the last time in this debate, condemning Job and calling him to repentance with promises of blessing if he turns back to God. He begins with rhetorical questions:

• Can a wise man truly benefit God?

• Does God gain anything if a man chooses to live righteously?

• Does God judge because He fears someone’s power?

Eliphaz’s implication is that Job’s righteousness (if real) doesn’t make God indebted to him, so his suffering must have another explanation like hidden sin.

Let’s dig deeper into these questions:

God Doesn’t Need Us, but He Delights in Us

In Job 22:2–3, Eliphaz asks, “Can a man be profitable unto God, as he that is wise may be profitable unto himself? Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that thou art righteous? or is it gain to him, that thou makest thy ways perfect?”

Eliphaz’s tone is harsh, and his aim is to accuse Job, but tucked inside his words is a truth: God is entirely self-sufficient. As Paul preached in Acts 17:24–25, “God that made the world and all things therein… neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things.”

The Almighty does not depend on our strength, wisdom, or righteousness for His existence or power. Yet, in His grace, He takes pleasure in His people when they walk in obedience. Psalm 147:10–11 reminds us, “He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man. The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.”

God’s delight isn’t in what we can “give” Him but in our humble, faithful hearts. Micah 6:8 says, “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”

Reflection Prompt:

Take a moment to consider if you serve God with the quiet joy of knowing He delights in you, or are you secretly trying to earn His favor as though He needs what you have? Rest today in the truth that while God doesn’t need you, He chooses to love you.

Eliphaz’s Accusations Against Job:

Without proof, Eliphaz accuses Job of “great wickedness” and “infinite sin,” listing offenses that cut deep:

1. Unjust loans – Taking pledges (collateral) without cause, burdening those who didn’t deserve it.

2. Exploiting the poor – Stripping the needy of clothing, leaving them exposed.

3. Withholding kindness – Refusing food and drink to the weary and hungry.

4. Abusing influence – Using power and wealth to secure land, pushing aside those without.

5. Neglecting widows and orphans – Turning away the most vulnerable in society without help.

Eliphaz paints Job as a man who gained wealth by oppressing people. We know this is a complete contradiction to Job’s real character.

The Consequences Eliphaz Describes:

According to Eliphaz, because of these supposed sins:

• Job is surrounded by traps.

• He lives in fear and darkness.

• His troubles are drowning him.

• He thinks God can’t see him, but God sees all from heaven.

Eliphaz reminds Job of history and how the wicked have faced judgment before:

• Their lives were cut short.

• The flood destroyed those who claimed they didn’t need God.

• Even if their houses were once filled with good things, their end came.

He insists that the righteous rejoice when the wicked fall (again implying Job should accept his suffering as deserved judgment).

Eliphaz’s Call to Repentance:

In the final portion of his speech, Eliphaz urges Job to:

• “Acquaint yourself with God” and return to Him fully.

• “Stop sinning” so that good will return to his life.

• Enjoy restored blessings like riches, God’s protection, answered prayers.

• Teach others that purity and humility lead to God’s favor.

God’s grace isn’t a simple formula: “Repent, and blessings come.” Sometimes, suffering isn’t punishment but part of a deeper process of growth and faithfulness.

So, while Eliphaz’s call to repentance contains biblical truth (we all need to turn to God), we must balance it with compassion, humility, and trust that God’s ways are higher than ours.

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You Do – Apply It Personally

Job Chapter 23

“Reflecting on Your Connection with God”

(Read Job Chapter 23 First)

Job openly expresses how heavy his heart feels, how distant God sometimes seems, and his deep longing to reach Him. Have you ever felt that way? Like you’re crying out, but God feels far away, or maybe you wonder if He even hears you?

That’s a very real part of many believers’ journeys. Job’s story encourages us that feeling distant doesn’t mean God has abandoned us. Instead, it’s often an invitation to examine our hearts and take steps to reconnect.

Take a moment to ask yourself:

• When have I felt closest to God? What was happening in my life or in my heart during those times?

• When have I felt distant or burdened? What might have contributed to that feeling?

Practical Steps to Draw Near to God:

Review the reasons listed below and honestly consider your current walk. Which ones are you actively pursuing? Which might you need to focus on more?

Ways to Draw Near to God:

Obedience to God’s Word

If ye love me, keep my commandments – John 14:15

• Regular, heartfelt prayer

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded – James 4:8

Praise and worship

But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel – Psalm 22:3

Fellowship with other believers

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching – Hebrews 10:25

Meditating on Scripture daily

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee – Psalm 119:11

This Week’s Challenge:

After looking at these ways to draw near to God, I want to challenge you to begin weaving them into your daily habits and routines.

• Set aside time for prayer every day.

For me, this often happens in the morning during my devotion time, and a lot of times in the evening on my walk. Find a time that works for you and guard it carefully.

Commit to regular church attendance.

If you don’t have a home church yet, make it your goal this week to visit one and see if it’s the right fit for you. Being part of a body of believers is an important way to stay encouraged and accountable. If you already have a church then commit to being there every week.

Spend time in God’s Word daily.

I personally love reading from my physical Bible first thing in the morning, before the day gets busy. You might prefer reading at night before bed. The exact time isn’t as important as making it a daily habit.

The goal is not to “check the boxes,” but to intentionally create space in your life for God. As you draw near to Him, He promises to draw near to you.

Things That Can Hinder Our Connection:

• Unconfessed sin

If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me – Psalm 66:18

• Neglecting prayer

And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint – Luke 18:1

• Worldly distractions

He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful – Matthew 13:22

• Doubt or lack of faith

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him – Hebrews 11:6

• Spiritual laziness or complacency

That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises – Hebrews 6:12

Reflect on these truths:

• Proverbs 21:1 “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will” reminds us that God directs our hearts like a river’s flow. Sometimes God softens hearts; other times, He troubles them to bring us back to Him.

God influences not only our hearts but also how we present ourselves to the world.

Ecclesiastes 8:1- Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? a man’s wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed.

Numbers 6:26 – The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

Yet, God invites us to respond by drawing near to Him and guarding our hearts carefully.

Reflect and Journal

Consider these questions:

• What might God be doing in your heart right now? Is He drawing you near, convicting you, or giving you peace amidst hardship?

• Can you recall a time when God changed your heart? Maybe softening it toward Him or troubling it to bring you back? How did that experience shape your faith and walk with God?

Journal Prompt:

Write about a moment when God worked in your heart in a powerful way. How did you respond? What did you learn about God and yourself through that experience?

Key Takeaway:

Even when life feels unfair and God seems distant, our calling is to stay faithful, trust His justice, and draw near to Him. Job reminds us that prosperity or suffering is not always a measure of righteousness. God’s ways are higher, His justice is perfect, and His presence is worth seeking above all else.

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the many little nuggets of truth in Your Word that You teach us each day that we can apply in our lives. Like Job, we know we will face difficult people and hard circumstances we don’t understand. I pray that even when life seems unfair, our hearts would stay aligned with You. Help us understand what grieves Your heart so we can avoid those things.

When we face difficult people, give us honesty but also restraint and help us speak wisely and trust You to defend us. And God, when we feel distant from You, remind us to examine our hearts and see what might be causing that loss of connection.

Thank You for Your Word, which guides us every step of the way. Help us reflect on and apply these truths from today’s study, so we grow closer to You each day.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen

The Study of Job – Post Five

August 4, 2025 brookepacheco5

Week Eight of the Devotional Series

*Note – As we continue our journey through the Bible in chronological order, this is our fifth week in the book of Job. Though this is Week 8 overall, we’re still walking alongside Job. *

Devotional Format: I Do – We Do – You Do

Focus: Job 17 – 20

Tip: I highly recommend journaling your responses to the questions, prompts, and reflections. Writing them out can help you process more deeply and see how God is working in your life.

This week’s devotion includes:

Chapter 17 – “You, My Friends, Have No Wisdom”

Chapter 18 – “Truth Without Love Hurts: The Wrong Way to Help”

Chapter 19 – “My Redeemer Lives”

Chapter 20 – “Search Me, O God”

(Remember: This is a once-a-week devotional that can be done in one day or broken up over several days.)

Bible Memory:

Did you memorize last week’s Bible verse?

This Week’s Memory Verse — Psalm 139:23–24

“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:

And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

I Do – Watch Me Study

Job Chapter 17

You, My Friends, Have No Wisdom

(Read Job Chapter 17 First)

As I read Job 17, I notice right away that Job feels completely spent. He says his spirit is broken and the grave is ready for him. That tells me just how low he’s feeling emotionally and physically. Job is expressing despair and weariness.

Then, I see that even in that place of suffering, Job is still dealing with his friends’ accusations. In verse 3, he turns to God and asks Him to “put me in a surety.” He’s saying, “God, please vouch for me.” Job asks God to be his advocate because no one else believes him.

In verse 4, Job says that God has “closed the minds” of his friends. I wonder why would God allow that? I think Job is recognizing that wisdom is a gift from God, and maybe he’s saying his friends don’t have that insight right now. We can use this lesson to help us remember to pray that the Lord can help us not to be blind like Job’s friends. Help us understand with grace, not just with opinion.

Let’s explore what God’s word has to say about wisdom:

1. Wisdom Comes from God

• James 1:5

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”

Wisdom is available through prayer. God gives it generously when we seek it.

• Proverbs 2:6

“For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.”

True wisdom doesn’t originate from man, but from the Lord Himself.

2. The Fear of the Lord Is the Foundation

• Proverbs 1:7

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

• Job 28:28

“And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.”

Reverent awe of God is the starting point for a wise life. It’s not just knowing what is right but wanting to live in light of who God is.

3. We Must Seek It Diligently

• Proverbs 4:7

“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.”

• Proverbs 2:3–5

“Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.”

Wisdom requires intentional pursuit like searching for treasure.

4. Wisdom Is Shown in How We Live

• Ecclesiastes 7:12

“For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.”

James 3:17

“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.”

Wisdom isn’t just smart words. It shows up in gentleness, peace, and godly behavior.

How to Obtain Wisdom:

1. Ask God for It – James 1:5

2. Fear the Lord – Proverbs 1:7; Job 28:28

3. Read and Apply Scripture – Psalm 119:98

“Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.”

4. Walk with the Wise – Proverbs 13:20

“He that walketh with wise men shall be wise…”

5. Humbly Receive Correction – Proverbs 9:9

“Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser…”

When I get to Job 17:9, it feels like a shift. Job says that the righteous will hold to their way and grow stronger. That’s encouraging. Even when everything falls apart, I can grow stronger if I hold tightly to what’s right.

But then verses 11–16 hit hard again. Job swings back into hopelessness. He talks about the end of his plans, the darkness, the grave. This is grief. Job is going back and forth between hope and despair. That’s actually kind of comforting. It shows me that even the most faithful people can feel both at once. Job doesn’t give up, but he doesn’t hide how hard this is either.

So as I close the chapter, here’s what I’m walking away with: Job’s pain is real, his hope flickers for a moment, but his desire to stay righteous is unwavering. That gives me permission to be honest with God when I’m struggling, and to keep clinging to Him even when I don’t feel hopeful.

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We Do – Let’s Study Together

Job Chapter 18

“Truth Without Love Hurts: The Wrong Way to Help”

(Read Job Chapter 18 First)

In Job 18, Bildad speaks again and wow, does he come in hot. He doesn’t just offer a rebuttal to Job’s perspective; he starts with insults:

“Are you ever going to stop talking, Job? Are we nothing more than unclean animals to you?”

He mocks Job’s grief and anger, as if Job’s suffering is offensive to him. Bildad’s whole speech is one long assumption: that Job is wicked and getting exactly what he deserves. He paints a terrifying picture of the fate of the wicked. They shall live in darkness, fear, weakness, abandonment, destruction, and drives it home with one clear implication: This is you, Job.

Take a moment to reflect:

Have you ever felt wrongly accused by someone who claimed to be helping you?

What emotions did that stir in you? Did you feel hurt, shame, frustration, defensiveness?

Bildad’s words are said with cruelty, not compassion. Honestly, this doesn’t even qualify as “tough love.” It’s more like jealousy wrapped in moral superiority, with a bitter undertone of “I can’t believe this happened to you, but I’m not sad about it.”

Reading this made me stop and ask myself:

How do I talk to people especially when they’re hurting?

Sometimes, even with good intentions, we can come across as harsh or condescending. We want to correct, to teach, to “help”, but our tone makes the other person feel small instead of seen. I especially think of this when I talk to my kids. What I mean as a life lesson can easily come off as criticism.

Journal Prompt:

Think about someone you’ve recently tried to “correct” or teach. Maybe your child, a friend, or a spouse. How do you think your tone came across?

Is there anything you wish you had said differently or not at all?

Let’s try something together. Here are a few “Say this instead of that” examples to reflect on:

Instead of saying this… “Why do you always do this?”

Try saying this… “I’ve noticed this keeps happening. Can we talk about why?”

Instead of saying this… “You’re being ridiculous.”

Try saying this… “I hear that you’re upset. Help me understand.”

Instead of saying this…“Well, maybe if you had listened…”

Try saying this…“I’m here for you. Is there something you need from me right now?”

Reflection Question:

How might changing your tone and word choice help bring healing instead of shame to someone in your life?

Let’s use Bildad’s failure as a mirror to learn from his mistake. We are called to speak truth in love not in sarcasm, not in superiority, and not in bitterness. Jesus shows us how to correct with compassion, confront with humility, and comfort with gentleness. Ephesians 4:15 says, “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:”

This verse reminds us that truth must be delivered in the context of love, not harshness or pride. The goal is growth, for ourselves and the person we’re speaking to, into Christlikeness.

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Job Chapter 19

My Redeemer Lives

(Read Job Chapter 19 First)

Job responds to Bildad with raw honesty. He doesn’t hold back. He says, in essence:

“How long will you keep wounding me with your words? Aren’t you supposed to be my friend? Even if I have sinned, that’s between me and God. You don’t have the right to tear me apart.”

He’s heartbroken by his physical suffering and by the way people close to him have responded. He feels abandoned, judged, and completely alone.

Reflection Question:

Have you ever felt misunderstood or hurt by someone who was supposed to support you? How did that affect your view of God or yourself?

Job says that God has torn down everything in his life, including his hope. He describes crying out to God and hearing nothing in return.

“He hath fenced up my way that I cannot pass, and he hath set darkness in my paths.” (v.8)

“He hath destroyed me on every side, and I am gone: and mine hope hath he removed like a tree.” (v.10)

His grief is so thick that he feels like even his ability to hope is gone.

I wonder if you’ve ever felt like something important was removed from your life? I know I have…Something you used to carry with ease, but now feels out of reach. Maybe it was a sense of peace, the ability to rest, joy in worship, or the strength to pray and believe like you once did.

Job says that his hope has been uprooted, and there are seasons where many of us can relate to that feeling. No matter how hard we try to grasp what we once had, it seems distant like it slipped through our fingers without explanation.

Journal Prompt:

What’s something in your life you feel has been “removed”? Is there something you once had…hope, peace, trust, connection…that now feels far off? Write about it honestly. Talk to God about it like Job did.

Job goes on to describe how every relationship has crumbled. He says his own wife and close family members are disgusted by him. He feels like he’s barely hanging on to life.

“My bone cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh, and I am escaped with the skin of my teeth.” (v.20)

But then Job’s tone shifts. Despite all of this pain, he proclaims something bold and faith-filled:

“For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth.” (v.25)

What a declaration! He may not understand why he’s suffering, but he knows his Redeemer is alive. He trusts that one day, God will make things right, and he will see Him with his own eyes, even after his body has wasted away.

Reflection Question:

Can you recall a time when your faith in God stood firm even when your circumstances made no sense? If not, how can Job’s faith encourage you to trust that redemption is still coming?

At the end, Job turns the focus back to his friends. He warns them not to be so quick to judge, reminding them that they don’t see his heart, but God does. He urges them to consider their own motives and to beware of judgement coming upon them.

“But ye should say, Why persecute we him, seeing the root of the matter is found in me?” (v.28)

*Side Note – We will see that Job was right here and God does judge and discipline the friends later in Job Chapter 42

Reflection Question:

Have you ever assumed something about someone’s situation without knowing their heart? How can Job’s story remind you to lead with compassion instead of conclusions? In Job 42, God rebukes Job’s friends for misrepresenting Him and falsely accusing Job. What does that teach us about the seriousness of speaking on God’s behalf or judging others without full understanding? How can you practice more grace and humility in how you view someone else’s suffering?

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You Do – Apply It Personally

Job Chapter 20

Search Me, O God

(Read Job Chapter 20 First)

Job Chapter 20 Summary:

Zophar’s harsh speech in Job 20 paints a sobering picture of the fate of the wicked. He claims that even if someone seems successful and joyful in their sin for a time, their end will be full of sorrow, loss, and judgment. Though we know Job was not guilty of such wickedness, Zophar’s assumptions stand as a clear warning against jumping to conclusions without truly understanding someone’s heart. This theme keeps surfacing throughout Job, reminding us that God cares deeply about how we treat others and how quickly we judge.

As you reflect on this chapter, take time to consider what Scripture says about true justice, the consequences of sin, and the danger of pride. Zophar may have missed the mark in applying these truths to Job, but the principles still offer insight for our own lives.

Real-Life Application:

• While Zophar was wrong about Job, his words still raise a question: Am I hiding anything in my life that I need to bring into the light?

• It’s easy to see the flaws in others and forget our own need for humility,

repentance, and grace.

• Sometimes, we may even find ourselves assuming that hardship = judgment. But Job’s story reminds us again that suffering isn’t always the result of sin.

Reflection Questions / Journal Prompts:

• Have I ever assumed someone was being punished for something I couldn’t see? What does this reveal about my view of God and suffering?

• In what ways have I been tempted to chase short-lived joy rather than lasting righteousness?

• Is there anything I’m holding onto, like pride, hidden sin, or bitterness, that could be stealing my peace or distancing me from God? If so, what step can I take today to bring it into the light and let God begin healing it?

Psalm 139:23–24

“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:

And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Take a few minutes to quietly ask God to search your heart. Write down anything He brings to mind…attitudes, habits, or thoughts that may be hurting your relationship with Him or others. Then pray over each one, asking for His help to surrender it.

Today’s Challenge:

Today, choose one thing you’ve identified, whether it’s pride, bitterness, or a hidden struggle, and take one intentional step toward healing. That might look like confessing it to God, making peace with someone, or talking to a trusted friend or mentor.

This Week’s Challenge:

Spend time in prayer asking God to reveal any assumptions or judgments you’ve made toward others or even toward yourself.

Then, take one intentional step to show compassion:

• Speak encouragement instead of criticism.

• Offer help instead of assumptions.

• Ask someone how they’re really doing…and truly listen.

Also, ask the Lord to search your own heart:

“Is there anything I’ve been clinging to that seems sweet in the moment but is harming my walk with You?”

Write it down. Bring it to the Lord. And trust Him to replace it with His peace.

Key Takeaway:

God sees beyond appearances. He knows our hearts. As we walk through pain, confusion, or misjudgment like Job, may we respond with humility, seek wisdom from above, and let God search and shape our hearts. While others may get it wrong, God never does, and He invites us to extend to others the same compassion and grace He shows to us.

Heavenly Father,

I’m in awe of your power. You can so easily bestow upon us wisdom if we seek it according to your word. As we go through our day today, help us to mind our tone. Remind us to lead and correct our children and others in love, not harshness. Help us to speak truth in love. As we continue through the book of Job, we keep seeing the same theme pop up. This tells me that You really want us to understand that You care deeply about how we treat others and how quick we are to judge. Help us to surrender anything in our lives that may be hurting our relationship with You and others.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen

The Study of Job – Post Three

July 14, 2025July 12, 2025 brookepacheco5

Week Six of the Devotional Series

*Quick Note:

There won’t be a new post or devotion next Monday, July 21st. Our church is hosting a week-long Bible Camp, and I’ll be serving there all week! Because of that, I won’t have the time or focus needed to write and prepare a full devotion. Thank you for understanding, and I’m already looking forward to jumping back into our study the following week!

*Note – As we continue our journey through the Bible in chronological order, this is our third week in the book of Job. Though this is Week 6 overall, we’re still walking alongside Job. *

Devotional Format: I Do – We Do – You Do

Focus: Job 10 – 13

Tip: I highly recommend journaling your responses to the questions, prompts, and reflections. Writing them out can help you process more deeply and see how God is working in your life.

This week’s devotion includes:

Chapter 10 – When Suffering Doesn’t Make Sense

Chapter 11 – Assumptions Wrapped in Advice

Chapter 12 – When Wisdom Is Twisted and Suffering Is Misunderstood

Chapter 13 – Faith That Speaks Up

(Remember: This is a once-a-week devotional that can be done in one day or broken up over several days.)

Bible Memory:

Did you memorize last week’s Bible verse?

This Week’s Memory Verse — Job 13:15 (KJV):

Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.

I Do – Watch Me Study

Job Chapter 10

When Suffering Doesn’t Make Sense

(Read Job Chapter 10 First)

This chapter really moved me. It feels like Job is praying straight from a place of soul-crushing grief and yet he doesn’t turn away from God. That alone speaks volumes.

Job starts by saying that his soul loathes life. He’s physically suffering and emotionally and spiritually worn down. But even in this dark place, he’s still talking to God. And he says something incredibly brave: “Do not condemn me; show me why You contend with me.” Job is asking God to help him understand what’s going on. Have you ever been in the place where the pain is so thick that you cry out, “God, why?”

He starts asking honest questions:

– “Are You seeing me like man sees me?”

– “Are You judging me without knowing the full picture?”

– “You made me with so much care and love, so why are You destroying me now?”

Job reminds God that He was the one who formed him from the dust, the one who knitted together every part of his being. And then comes verse 13, which stopped me in my tracks…

“And these things hast thou hid in thine heart: I know that this is with thee.”

Job doesn’t understand what’s happening, but he trusts that God does. He believes God has hidden purposes tucked inside His heart.

He says that whether he’s wicked or righteous, the outcome of grief feels the same. He feels hunted and beaten down. He honestly pleas with God again: “Why was I even born? Wouldn’t it have been better to never have existed than to live through this?”

And yet… he keeps talking to God. That, to me, is the most beautiful and powerful part. He’s confused. He’s hurting. He feels God’s silence. But he keeps the line of communication open.

This chapter reminded me that it’s okay to pour out our pain to God. It’s okay to ask Him hard questions. God didn’t strike Job down for saying these things. He listened.

And He still does.

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We Do – Let’s Study Together

Job Chapter 11

Assumptions Wrapped in Advice

(Read Job Chapter 11 First)

Now we hear from another one of Job’s friends, Zophar, and once again, we see the same pattern: assume guilt, offer advice. But Zophar doesn’t hold back. He even starts the conversation with accusation.

Zophar is offended by Job’s words and essentially says, “Should your many words go unanswered? Should your talk make you right?” He accuses Job of lying, mocking God, and pretending to be pure when clearly (according to Zophar) he’s not.

He says something that sounds true on the surface: God’s wisdom is far greater than anything we can comprehend (Job 11:7–9). That truth echoes throughout Scripture (see Romans 11:33), but Zophar misuses it. Instead of using God’s greatness to encourage or comfort, he uses it to accuse and condemn. OUCH!

He claims that Job is actually being punished less than he deserves (v. 6) This is a bold and deeply wrong assumption. We know from Job 1:8 that God called Job “blameless and upright.”

We learn here that there is no simple formula. Zophar offers a theology built on if-then logic: If you suffer, you must have sinned. If you repent, God will bless you. But Job’s story challenges that thinking. His suffering wasn’t the result of wrongdoing, and repentance wasn’t the quick fix his friends claimed it would be.

Instead, we’re reminded that God’s ways are deeper than formulas. There are things happening in our lives that we are not equipped to fully understand. Faith doesn’t mean everything will make sense. It means trusting that God is working, even when it doesn’t.

Let’s pause and reflect together:

• Have you ever been given advice that was based on a false assumption about you or your situation?

• Have you ever made the same mistake of jumping to conclusions about someone else’s suffering?

• Zophar spoke from what he thought he knew. How can we be more thoughtful, gracious, and humble when walking with others through pain?

Zophar’s words remind us that even truth, when misapplied, can wound rather than heal. As we study, let’s not just learn what was said, but consider how we speak to others in their hurt. We would do well to remember that comfort and compassion go hand in hand.

Devotional Thought:

I can’t help but notice that we keep hearing this same cycle over and over…

Job is being accused, again, that the suffering that suddenly invaded his life must be the result of hidden sin or wickedness. And Job, in the depths of his grief, is trying so hard to express that he has not sinned, nor does he have evil in his heart.

His friends offer no compassion, no curiosity, no grace. Just judgment.

It seems like God really wants us to slow down and let this truth sink in: when we walk alongside someone in pain, assumptions hurt but compassion heals. These chapters challenge us to listen better, judge less, and point people to God’s presence, not just our opinions.

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Job Chapter 12

When Wisdom Is Twisted and Suffering Is Misunderstood

(Read Job Chapter 12 First)

Now it’s Job’s turn to respond, and he doesn’t hold back. You can almost hear the sarcasm in his voice when he says, “No doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with you.” (v. 2) In today’s language, that might sound like, “Wow, you must be the only wise people left and when you’re gone, wisdom’s gone too.” After sitting in so much grief, Job is finally standing up and speaking with a spark again.

He reminds his friends that he has understanding, too. He’s not beneath them. In fact, he says, “Who doesn’t know the things you’re saying?” Job is finally speaking to them about his frustration with their hollow theology. He’s been crying out to God, and instead of comfort, his friends mock and shame him.

Job points out something incredibly honest: sometimes the wicked do prosper. He says even those who rob and provoke God seem secure and blessed. His friends have been preaching a very narrow view: that good people are always blessed and bad people are always punished. But Job looks around and says, “That’s just not what I see.”

He challenges their assumptions by saying even the animals, the birds, the fish, and the earth itself could tell you that everything happens under the hand of God. Nothing slips past Him. Every breath we take is in His hands.

Then Job gets to the heart of it: we all have the ability to listen and discern. Just like the tongue tastes food, the ear tests words. And what he’s hearing from his friends? He knows it’s not truth. It’s oversimplified. It lacks compassion. And it completely misunderstands God’s power.

Job reminds them, and us, that wisdom and strength ultimately belong to God alone. Not to man. Not to kings or nations. Not even to those who sound confident when they speak. God alone holds the power to break down, build up, silence, flood, or dry up. He can humble leaders, silence the wise, and cause nations to rise or fall. He is sovereign over all of it.

Let’s Reflect Together:

• Job is frustrated by the assumption that his suffering must be his fault.

Have you ever been misunderstood in a painful season?

• Job says even creation knows that everything is in God’s hands.

Do you find comfort in remembering that God is ultimately in control?

• Job reminds us that God can humble the proud and lift up the lowly.

How does that challenge the way we view success, power, or status?

• How does this chapter help you reframe the idea that blessing = obedience and suffering = disobedience?

• What would it look like for you to trust God’s sovereignty, even when things feel unfair or confusing?

This chapter is a turning point. Job doesn’t have answers yet, but he knows that his friends don’t either. He’s beginning to anchor himself in what is true: God is wise, powerful, just, and always in control. Even when we don’t understand, we can rest in that.

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You Do – Apply It Personally

Job Chapter 13

Faith That Speaks Up

(Read Job Chapter 13 First)

Job Chapter 13 Summary:

In Job 13, Job continues to respond directly to his friends who have been accusing him and claiming to speak for God. He explains again that he is just as knowledgeable as they are and challenges their wisdom. Job expresses his deep desire to plead his case before God Himself, wanting to reason honestly and openly with Him.

He criticizes his friends for giving misleading advice. He compares them to doctors who cannot heal but only cause more harm. Job urges them to be silent so he can speak and explain his situation clearly.

Job boldly questions God, asking why he is being punished so severely, even considering that it’s for sins he committed long ago. He feels trapped and watched closely by God, as if under constant surveillance, suffering and deteriorating under this intense pressure.

Despite his confusion and pain, Job declares his intention to continue trusting God and maintaining his integrity. He is honest about his fear and suffering but still hopes God will listen and receive him.

1. Reflect on Your Response to Others’ Opinions

Job challenges his friends who speak for God but misrepresent Him. Have you ever been quick to judge or give advice without fully understanding God’s perspective?

• Take a moment to ask: Am I speaking words that build up, or am I like Job’s friends who give “useless advice” or speak out of ignorance?

• Action: Practice listening more carefully to others before responding, and ask God for wisdom before you speak.

2. Examine Your View of God

Job calls out those who hold a limited or false view of God’s justice and power.

• Ask yourself: Is my understanding of God shaped by my experiences or cultural views rather than His true character?

• Action: Spend time studying God’s nature in Scripture, especially His justice, mercy, and sovereignty.

3. Invite God into Your Honest Questions and Fears

Job openly pleads with God. He asks why he suffers, what sins might be hidden, and expresses his fear and confusion.

• Consider: Do I bring my doubts and fears honestly before God, or do I hide them?

• Action: Write down your current struggles or questions and pray them honestly to God, trusting that He can handle your doubts.

4. Trust God Even When You Don’t Understand

Despite feeling trapped and under intense scrutiny, Job chooses to keep walking upright before God and trusts He will receive him.

• Reflect: Can I commit to trusting God in my trials, even when I don’t understand why they’re happening?

• Action: Identify one area of difficulty in your life. Pray specifically for trust and perseverance to walk faithfully through it.

5. Seek God’s Guidance and Allow Him to Search Your Heart

Job asks God to search him and reveal anything that needs correction.

• Self-examination: Am I willing to let God search my heart, even if it’s uncomfortable?

• Action: Ask God to reveal any hidden sin or attitude that needs to change, and be ready to respond with repentance.

Key Takeaway:

In the midst of deep suffering and confusion, it is okay to wrestle honestly with God with questioning, pleading, and even expressing our fears. We must choose to trust His wisdom and justice beyond what we can see or understand.

Heavenly Father,

As we continue reading through Job, we’re thankful for all that You’re teaching us. Through his story, we learn what to do and what not to do. Thank You that even when we’re faced with difficult people, You can use those moments to teach us how we don’t want to act.

Lord, when we go through hard times, help us to trust that You still have a plan and that it’s for our good. Thank You for listening when all we can offer is our brokenness. Thank You for caring so deeply for us.

Please guide our words when we speak to those who are hurting. Help us remember that comfort and compassion go hand in hand. Make us better listeners and less quick to judge.

Let our words build up, not tear down. Help us to notice Your character as we read and study Your Word. Give us the courage to bring our hardest questions, doubts, and fears honestly before You.

And Lord, as we examine ourselves, reveal anything in us that needs healing or repentance. We bring it to You, trusting that You are faithful to restore.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen

The Study of Job – Post Two

July 7, 2025July 7, 2025 brookepacheco5

Week Five of the Devotional Series

*Note – As we continue our journey through the Bible in chronological order, this is our second week in the book of Job. Though this is Week 5 overall, we’re still walking alongside Job in his deep sorrow and raw questions.

Job lived long before Abraham, giving us a powerful early glimpse of faith under fire. His story reminds us that even when life feels broken and confusing, God is still present.

In the midst of suffering, Job’s voice echoes some of our own deepest thoughts and God does not shy away. Let’s lean in together and see what God wants to reveal through his word.*

Devotional Format: I Do – We Do – You Do

Focus: Job 6-9

Tip: I highly recommend journaling your responses to the questions, prompts, and reflections. Writing them out can help you process more deeply and see how God is working in your life.

This week’s devotion includes:

Chapter 6 – Feeling Misunderstood in Grief

Chapter 7 – When Life Feels Heavy and Hope Feels Far

Chapter 8 – Bildad Blames Job’s Suffering on Sin

Chapter 9 – It is Futile to Argue with God

(Remember: This is a once-a-week devotional that can be done in one day or broken up over several days.)

Bible Memory:

Did you memorize last week’s Bible verse?

This Week’s Memory Verse — For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. – Isaiah 55:8-9

I Do – Watch Me Study

Job Chapter 6

Feeling Misunderstood in Grief

(Read Job Chapter 6 First)

As I read through Job 6, I felt like Job’s heart was laid bare. He’s absolutely crushed. He says his grief is heavier than the sand of the sea. That’s deep sorrow. I can’t even imagine carrying that kind of weight. He wishes for death because he’s so tired of the pain. But even then, he hasn’t cursed God. That stuck out to me. He’s hurting, but he still knows where his help comes from.

Then he turns his words to Eliphaz, and he’s not quiet about how he feels. “You should have shown pity to your friend,” he says. Wow. I underlined that in my Bible.

Job thought Eliphaz came to comfort him, like a cold stream on a hot day, but instead, his friend turned out to be like a dried-up brook. He gave Job a false sense of loyalty, and Job was left even more empty than before. I could feel his disappointment when he said, “I waited for comfort, but I was ashamed.” How many times have we needed someone, thought they were coming to help, and then felt even more alone?

But Job doesn’t just lash out. He says, “If I’ve messed up, show me, help me understand.” He’s not claiming perfection, but he’s begging for compassion. He reminds his friends that grief changes how a person speaks. He basically says, “You know me. If you really stopped and looked, you’d see I’m telling the truth.”

I thought about that for a while. Grief changes people. It changes what we say, how we feel and how we process. Job is just asking to be seen with mercy, not judgment.

And honestly, I needed that reminder too. Sometimes I rush to assess someone’s response without really pausing to ask what pain is behind it.

________________________________________________________________

We Do – Let’s Study Together

Job Chapter 7

When Life Feels Heavy and Hope Feels Far

(Read Job Chapter 7 First)

Job 7 is one of the most raw and vulnerable chapters so far. Job is not holding anything back. He’s physically suffering, emotionally exhausted, and spiritually drained. We’ve heard his friends offer cold comfort, but now we hear Job himself describe just how deep the ache goes.

He says life feels pointless. He compares his life to a hireling, someone who works and toils just to make it through the day. He feels no progress, no joy, just survival. Maybe you’ve felt that too? Like you’re stuck on repeat, working endlessly, wondering what it’s all for.

He says his nights are “wearisome,” and full of tossing and turning. He’s up all night just waiting for the morning to come. His body is covered in infection, dust, and sores. His mind is anxious. His soul feels empty. He says his life is moving too fast, and yet it feels unbearably long. He sees no purpose in the pain and no light in the future.

And yet…Job talks to God.

Even in despair, he directs his words upward. He doesn’t understand, but he doesn’t forget God. That’s powerful. Even in the bitterness of his soul, he keeps his conversation with God open. Honest. Raw. Desperate. But still open.

Let’s pause and ask some honest questions together:

• Have you ever felt like Job? Like life was more sorrow than joy, and you were just surviving the day-to-day?

• Are you carrying grief or exhaustion in your body, heart, or mind right now?

• Job said he felt like life was moving too fast to keep up with. Do you relate to that feeling?

• What areas of your life feel like they’ve lost purpose or joy?

How does it challenge you that Job was brutally honest with God in his pain? Do you talk to God that way, or do you hold back?

This chapter reminds us that God is big enough to handle our grief and our questions. Even our complaints. He’s not distant from our pain. He’s near even when He feels silent.

So as we think about this together, let’s ask: What would it look like to bring our full selves to God? The grief, the mess, the questions…and trust that He still sees us with compassion?

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Job Chapter 8

Bildad Blames Job’s Suffering on Sin

(Read Job Chapter 8 First)

Now we hear from another friend, Bildad, and if you didn’t know better, you might think Eliphaz was speaking again. He tells Job to stop talking like someone without hope and then implies something unthinkable: maybe your children died because of their own sin.

Bildad’s words sting. He’s attempting to speak with wisdom but his words are soaked in assumption.

His belief is simple: If you do good, God will bless you. If you do wrong, He will punish you. He urges Job to return to God, as if Job hasn’t already clung to Him with everything he has left.

Bildad uses the image of plants needing water and mud to survive. He says that those who forget God are like marsh plants cut off from their source of mud and water. They might look strong and thriving for a moment, but they will wither fast if they’re not rooted in God. That part isn’t entirely wrong. The problem is this is not the case for Job.

Let’s pause here and reflect:

Reflection Questions:

1. Have you ever felt judged or misunderstood while going through a hard time?

How did it affect your heart or your view of God?

2. Have you ever jumped to conclusions about someone else’s suffering?

What can this chapter teach us about humility when trying to comfort others?

3. Bildad said that if Job was truly righteous, God would restore him.

Do you ever find yourself believing that right living should automatically equal an easy life?

4. What kind of theology do you carry about blessings and suffering?

Do you believe that trouble in life always means something is wrong between you and God?

5. What does it look like to trust God even when life doesn’t make sense or feel fair?

Bildad meant to help, but he was wrong when assuming comfort comes with conditions: “God will love you again when you get your act together.” We know that God loved Job already. He called him blameless from the beginning.

Oh, how we can learn a big lesson from Bildad…Let’s not speak to others based on assumptions or rush to fill silence with our opinions. Instead, let’s be present with our hurting friends and resist offering words when we don’t have the answers. As we walk through the book of Job, let’s not just observe the conversation, let’s learn from it.

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You Do – Apply It Personally

Job Chapter 9

It is Futile to Argue with God

(Read Job Chapter 9 First.)

Summary of Job 9:

In Job 9, Job responds to Bildad on God’s greatness and the hopelessness he feels in trying to justify himself before such a holy and powerful God.

Job begins by acknowledging that no one can be truly righteous before God (v. 2). He describes God’s power: He can move mountains, shake the earth, command the sun, and set the stars in place. His actions are mighty, mysterious, and beyond human understanding (v. 4–10).

Job feels deeply overwhelmed. He says even if he were innocent, he wouldn’t know how to defend himself before God. God is the Judge, and man has no standing to argue with Him (v. 14–15). Job feels like God is afflicting him for no clear reason (v. 17) and is terrified by God’s power and silence.

He also makes a bold observation that both the wicked and the innocent suffer, and sometimes justice seems invisible. (v. 22–24). Job longs for someone to mediate between him and God, a daysman or mediator, because he feels unable to speak to God directly in his pain (v. 33–35).

Now it’s your turn.

Take some time to think about and journal through the questions below. Ask the Holy Spirit to help show you how to apply them personally to your life.

Reflection Questions:

“How can man be just with God?” (Job 9:2) Job wrestles with the holiness of God and the smallness of man.

– Have you ever felt unworthy or too broken to approach God?

– What does Scripture say about our righteousness through Christ? (see Romans 5:1, 2 Corinthians 5:21)

2. Job says God moves in ways we can’t always see or understand.

– Can you recall a time in your life where God was working, even when you didn’t realize it?

– How does this shape your trust in Him now?

3. Job is honest about his fear and exhaustion.

He says God is too holy and high for him to even speak to.

– Have you ever felt overwhelmed or even afraid of what God might allow in your life?

– What truths from Scripture remind you that God is both powerful and loving?

( See Job 26:14, Jeremiah 32:17, Psalm 147:5, Lamentations 3:22–23, Psalm 86:15, Isaiah 54:10, Psalm 62:11–12, Nahum 1:7)

4. Job believes the wicked and the upright both suffer in this world.

– Do you ever struggle with the fact that life can feel unfair?

– How do you stay grounded in faith when you don’t understand why things are happening?

5. Job ends this chapter expressing his desire for a mediator between him and God.

– How does knowing Jesus is your mediator and advocate change how you relate to God?

– (See 1 Timothy 2:5 and Hebrews 4:14–16.)

After You Reflect:

Job 9 is heavy. Job’s words come from deep grief and spiritual confusion. He knows God is just and holy, but he cannot see past his current suffering. Yet in all this, he doesn’t walk away from God. He brings his pain directly to Him.

When we face seasons of silence, suffering, or fear, God doesn’t ask us to hide our questions. He invites us to bring them to Him in faith, just like Job did. He may not always give us the “why,” but He always offers us His presence.

And where Job longed for a mediator, we now have one, Jesus Christ, who stands between us and God, not with condemnation but with mercy and grace.

Key Takeaway:

Even in our deepest sorrow, when life feels unfair and God seems silent, we are still seen, still loved, and still invited to bring our hard questions to Him. Like Job, we may not get all the answers, but we can anchor our hearts in the character of God who is just, compassionate, and always present.

Heavenly Father,

I want to be the type of friend who is like a cold stream on a hot day. Help me to be that loyal, faithful friend who gives a listening ear instead of judgmental lips. Help me to be a humble friend who doesn’t jump to conclusions. When I feel burdened and life feels heavy help me to remember that your thoughts are above my thoughts and your ways above my ways. Help me to keep our line of communication open and our relationship strong. I’m grateful that we can come boldly unto the throne of grace so we can obtain mercy and find grace to help in our time of need. Lord, I’m so thankful that by faith we can have peace with you through our Lord Jesus Christ and He is our mediator. Thank you for having compassion on us and being the ultimate source of righteousness. Help us to take what we’re reading and learning from the book of Job and apply it to how we live our own lives.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen

The Study of Job: Post One

June 30, 2025June 30, 2025 brookepacheco5

NOTE * As we continue reading the Bible chronologically, we now pause the story of Genesis and step into the book of Job. Job lived long before Abraham and his story gives us an early and powerful look into faith under fire. It’s a book of raw questions, deep suffering, and unwavering trust. It’s a reminder that God is still near even when everything else falls apart. We’ll return to Genesis after completing the book of Job. *

Devotional Format: I Do – We Do – You Do

Focus: Job 1-5

Tip: I highly recommend journaling your responses to the questions, prompts, and reflections. Writing them out can help you process more deeply and see how God is working in your life.

This week’s devotion includes:

Chapter 1 – When the Faithful Suffer

Chapter 2 – The Unseen Spiritual Battle, Suffering, and the Ministry of Presence

Chapter 3 – When Grief Speaks

Chapter 4 – Judging the Suffering: What Eliphaz Got Wrong

Chapter 5 – Misapplied Truth: The Danger of Jumping to Conclusions

(Remember: This is a once-a-week devotional that can be done in one day or broken up over several days.)

Bible Memory:

Did you memorize last week’s Bible verse?

This Week’s Memory Verse — Romans 12:15 (KJV)

Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

I Do – Watch Me Study

Job Chapter 1

When the Faithful Suffer

(Read Job Chapter 1 First)

This chapter opens with a glowing description of Job. He is described as perfect and upright. These words don’t mean sinless, but show us that he was morally innocent, had integrity, feared God, and turned away from evil. Job wasn’t a loud or flashy man, he was quiet and faithful.

He had a large, thriving family and many possessions. He was “the greatest of all the men of the east.” But what stood out most to me was his dedication to God and his children. Job regularly offered burnt sacrifices for his children just in case they had sinned during their feasting.

Then we’re taken into a heavenly scene: the sons of God (likely angels) appear before the Lord and Satan is there, too. When God points out Job’s faithfulness, Satan accuses him. “Job only fears You because You’ve blessed him,” he says. “Take it all away, and he’ll curse You to Your face.”

God permits Satan to test Job. Everything Job owns can be touched, but not Job himself.

Why would God allow this? We’re not given a full answer yet, but we’re invited to wrestle with it. One truth is clear to me…God trusted Job’s heart. He knew Job’s faith wasn’t because he was blessed but because of his relationship with God.

One day the losses begin. Livestock, servants, and finally his children are all taken away from him. One messenger after another brings devastating news. It reminded me of waves crashing over Job with no time to catch his breath.

And yet… what does Job do?

“Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped…” (Job 1:20)

He grieves. And he worships. He says:

“Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return… the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”

That line pierces me. Job recognizes everything he had was a gift, not something he earned. And even in devastation, he doesn’t blame God. He worships Him.

I imagine Job’s heart was absolutely shattered. And I believe God’s heart hurt for him, too. This chapter isn’t just about proving Satan wrong. It’s for us. It’s to show what deep faith looks like when everything else is stripped away.

It makes me ask this question – When life hurts, will I curse or bless? Will I pull away from God or fall at His feet in worship?

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Job Chapter 2

The Unseen Spiritual Battle, Suffering, and the Ministry of Presence

(Read Job Chapter 2 First)

As I studied Job 2, I imagined a courtroom or throne room scene where the sons of God and even Satan had to present themselves before God. It gave me chills thinking that even rebellious, fallen beings like Satan must report to God. This reminds me that God is sovereign over all, including the enemy. Satan cannot act outside of God’s permission. He’s on a leash.

God begins the conversation with Satan and points out Job’s unwavering integrity despite his immense suffering. And then we read something sobering:

“…although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.” (Job 2:3)

This verse makes it clear God is the one allowing Job’s suffering, not because of punishment, but for purposes Job doesn’t understand. Satan suggests, “Touch his bone and flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face.” (v. 5) and God says:

“Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life.” (v. 6)

This is complex but important: Satan could not touch Job until God allowed it. God is sovereign even over suffering. It’s Satan who strikes Job in verse 7, but only within God’s limits. That brings both a sobering and comforting truth: God is always in control.

Verse 8 stopped me in my tracks:

“And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes.”

Job sat in ashes, scraping his sores with broken pottery. He didn’t complain. He just… scraped. This is heart-wrenching.

In the Bible, ashes symbolize grief, loss, humiliation, and mourning. Job was emotionally, spiritually, and physically devastated and yet, he did not sin with his lips.

Then comes his wife’s reaction:

“Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.”

But Job responds with composure:

“Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?” (Job 2:10)

Still, he did not sin with his lips. His pain was real and he must have been confused, but his integrity remained.

What happens next deeply convicted me:

Job’s three friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, set out together when they heard of his suffering. Their initial intentions were good. They didn’t just send a message. They didn’t “like” a sad status. They went. They came to mourn with him and comfort him.

When they saw him from afar, they didn’t even recognize him. Their response was emotional and cultural:

• They wept loudly

• They tore their clothes

• They threw dust on their heads

• And then, they simply sat with him for seven days…

“…and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great.” (Job 2:13)

What an example of the ministry of presence.

Let’s look at how scripture reinforces this:

Ecclesiastes 4:9–10

“Two are better than one… For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow…”

Romans 12:15

“Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.”

2 Corinthians 7:6

“Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus.”

Quotes That Echo This Truth:

Henri Nouwen

“When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives means the most to us, we often find that it is those who… simply were there.”

C.S. Lewis

“Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, ‘What! You too? I thought I was the only one.’”

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together

“The physical presence of other Christians is a source of incomparable joy and strength to the believer.”

My Takeaway

This chapter reminds me that I don’t want to be a shallow friend. I want to show up. Grief isn’t always about words. Sometimes, it’s about just being there and sitting with someone in the ashes of their sorrow. That’s what Job’s friends did at first, and it’s a model of empathy I want to follow.

________________________________________________________________

We Do – Let’s Study Together

Job Chapter 3

When Grief Speaks

(Read Job Chapter 3 First)

Now Job finally speaks. After seven days of silence and grief, his sorrow spills out in raw, honest words. He doesn’t curse God, but he curses the day he was born. And as we read his cry, it feels like we’re sitting beside him, hearing the sound of deep suffering.

He says, “Let the day perish wherein I was born” (v. 3). He wishes he had never existed. That might sound extreme unless you’ve ever been so overwhelmed that even waking up felt heavy. Job is not being dramatic. He’s heart broken.

Job asks questions we’ve maybe asked in our own suffering:

• Why was I even born? (v. 11)

• Why did I live just to experience this pain? (v. 16)

• Why is light given to those who are in misery? (v. 23)

He even imagines death as a peaceful place where the tired finally rest, where the hurting are quieted, where the oppressor can’t reach anymore (vv. 17–19). That stood out to me: Job doesn’t want death because he hates life. He longs for rest. He longs for peace.

Have you ever felt that?

We don’t often talk about these places of the soul, but the Bible does. That tells me that God understands our process of grief or confusion. He put Job’s lament in His holy Word because He meets us there.

Let’s reflect together:

Journal or Discussion Prompts:

•When have you felt like Job? Like your heart was so heavy you didn’t have words for it?

•What do Job’s words teach us about how to process grief and pain with God?

•Do you ever feel like you have to hide your hard emotions from God? Why or why not?

•How does Job’s honesty with God change the way we view “strong” faith?

In verse 25, Job says something especially honest:

“For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.”

That one hit deep. Have you ever feared something happening and then it did? Maybe you’ve been waiting for the other shoe to drop, trying to protect yourself from the “what ifs.” Job reminds us that even those who love and fear the Lord still experience suffering. But God is not gone. He is still with us in the valley.

Reflection:

•What fear have you been carrying that you need to bring into God’s light?

•How can you walk with someone else who is hurting, like Job’s friends did (even if imperfectly)?

•What does this chapter reveal about the importance of showing up for others in their grief, not with answers but just with presence?

Job chapter 3 is a picture of honest grief. It teaches us that lament is not weakness, it’s a way of processing deep pain. Job is still turning to God in faith. He hasn’t walked away. He’s just crying out. And sometimes, that’s the only thing we can do.

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Job Chapter 4

Judging the Suffering: What Eliphaz Got Wrong

(Read Job Chapter 4 First)

Now we see Job’s first friend, Eliphaz, speak up.

He starts gently enough by asking permission to speak, but his words soon shift from sympathetic to sharp. Eliphaz reminds Job that he has encouraged many people in the past. He says, “You’ve strengthened weak hands, lifted up those who were falling, and offered wise words to others. But now that trouble has come to you… you’re overwhelmed.”

Then Eliphaz challenges Job’s own beliefs:

“Isn’t your fear of God your confidence? Isn’t your hope based on your righteousness?” (Job 4:6, paraphrased)

And then comes the hard part:

Eliphaz claims that no one is ever destroyed without cause. He suggests that people only suffer when they’ve done something to deserve it. He believes that suffering equals sin and that only the wicked reap sorrow.

At first, it sounds reasonable. After all, the Bible does say we reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7). Sin does bring consequences (Proverbs 13:21). But Eliphaz is missing a deeper spiritual reality.

Eliphaz is wrong in assuming that all pain comes from wrongdoing. He doesn’t know what we as readers know from chapters 1 and 2; That Job’s suffering wasn’t because of sin but because of a greater purpose in the unseen spiritual realm.

God wasn’t punishing Job. He was proving Job’s integrity, strengthening his faith, and displaying His glory.

This teaches us something critical: Not all suffering is punishment.

Yes, there are consequences for sin. No doubt that’s real.

But there’s another truth just as real: Sometimes we suffer for righteousness’ sake. Sometimes the testing of our faith is allowed by God for purposes we cannot yet see.

Let’s look at some scripture on that:

1 Peter 3:14 (KJV)

 But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;

2. Job 1:8–12 (KJV)

Job suffers not because he sinned, but because God allowed a test of his faith, saying:

   …there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil…

3. James 1:2–4 (KJV)

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

4. Romans 8:28 (KJV)

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

So what do we learn from Eliphaz?

Let’s not be quick to play the judge in someone else’s suffering.

Let’s not assume their hardship is the result of sin or disobedience.

Let’s not speak harsh words when someone needs gentle presence.

Instead, let’s offer prayer and grace.

Let’s be a true friend who sits beside someone in sorrow.

Later in chapter 4, Eliphaz tells Job a “secret” he claims came from a spirit in the night. He says:

Shall mortal man be more just than God? Shall a man be more pure than his maker? (Job 4:17)

While that statement is technically true (no one is more righteous than God), Eliphaz uses it to insult Job. He implies that Job is arrogant for thinking he doesn’t deserve this suffering and that humans are basically so fragile and lowly and they perish forever without any regarding it.

But Eliphaz misses something big again: God does care. Deeply. He’s not dismissive of us. We are made in His image. He calls us His children.

Matthew 10:29–31 proves this… “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.”

And our influence doesn’t die with us. Eliphaz says when a man dies, “his wisdom perishes,” but we know that’s not true either because a godly life leaves a legacy that touches generations.

Reflection Questions:

•Have you ever assumed someone was suffering because of something they did wrong?

•When a friend is hurting, do you tend to give advice or simply be present?

•Have you ever misjudged a situation without knowing the full story?

Let’s take this as a reminder to be the kind of friend who offers compassion before correction, and prayer before opinions.

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You Do – Apply It Personally

Job Chapter 5 – Misapplied Truth: The Danger of Jumping to Conclusions

Now it’s your turn.

Read through Job Chapter 5 and take some time to think about and journal through the questions below. Ask the Holy Spirit to help show you how to apply them personally to your life.

Summary of Job 5:

In this chapter, Eliphaz continues to speak to Job, assuming that Job’s suffering is the result of hidden sin. He uses a mix of poetic praise for God’s power and harsh assumptions about Job’s guilt. Eliphaz suggests that God disciplines those He loves, which is true in the right context, but wrongly applies it to Job. His words reveal a limited view of suffering and offer both comfort and judgment in the same breath.

It reminds us that even well-meaning people can misapply truth if they don’t understand our full story.

Reflection Questions:

1. Have you ever been misunderstood while going through something hard?

How did it feel to receive advice that didn’t consider your heart or pain?

2. Have you ever found yourself trying to “fix” someone else’s pain with quick answers or assumptions?

How can we offer comfort without jumping to judgment?

3. In verses 8–16, Eliphaz gives a beautiful description of God’s power, provision, and justice.

Even if his motivation was wrong, what truths about God can you still hold onto?

Example: Verse 13 says, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness…Meaning God sees through human plotting and brings justice in His own way.

(1 Cor. 3:19 echoes this truth).

4. Verse 17 talks about God’s correction and discipline.

Can you think of a time when God used hardship to teach or strengthen you?

What’s the difference between punishment and loving discipline?

Eliphaz says, “Happy is the man whom God correcteth,” but in Job’s case, it wasn’t correction. It was a test. God’s discipline comes from love.

5. Eliphaz assumes that peace, prosperity, and long life are always signs of righteousness.

Do you ever feel tempted to believe that following God should always result in an easy life?

What does the Bible actually say about suffering and growth?

Here are some verses to consider:

Romans 5:3–5
James 1:2–4
1 Peter 5:10
Isaiah 43:2
Psalm 34:18–19
2 Corinthians 4:17
Genesis 50:20
Philippians 3:10
1 Peter 2:21

6. In verse 1, Eliphaz says, “Call now, if there be any that will answer thee…”

What do you think that says about his attitude toward Job?

I believe it was a sarcastic way of saying, “You’re too far gone and no one will listen to you.” Harsh words when Job needed a friend.

7. In verses 3–5, Eliphaz gives an example of seeing a foolish man thrive and then lose everything.

I think he’s implying that Job is that foolish man. But he’s wrong, and it shows how dangerous it is to assume someone’s pain means they’re being punished.

After You Reflect:

Eliphaz spoke without compassion. He assumed that Job’s suffering was punishment for sin, and though some of his theology sounded good, it was misapplied.

But even in his misguided assumptions, we can still learn:

God does bring growth through hardship.

He does rescue the poor, frustrate the wicked, and restore the broken.

But not always on our timeline.

And not always for the reasons we assume.

God’s comfort often comes not in the removal of pain, but in His presence through it.

So as you consider Job 5, let this be your reminder:

Don’t be too quick to explain someone’s pain. Be quick to sit with them in it. And trust that God knows the whole story even when we don’t.

Key Takeaway:

Even well-meaning people can say the wrong things when they don’t understand our full story. Eliphaz tried to apply truth without compassion and assumed Job’s suffering was punishment. But Scripture reminds us that not all hardship is the result of sin. God is near in our pain, growing us through it, and working in ways we cannot see. We’re called to trust even when we don’t understand and to offer others grace, not judgment, in their suffering.

Heavenly Father,

We know scripture tell us to rejoice with those who rejoice and to weep with those who weep. Please help us to have more of your heart and compassion for others. Help us to slow down and be present with the people you put in our paths. Thank you for teaching us through Job’s story of what deep faith looks like in blessings and in testing. God, you are sovereign over all and in control of everything and we trust you. Help us not to judge others who are suffering, but offer our prayer and presence instead. Thank you for being near us always and for growing us in times of pain.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen

The Study of Genesis: Week Three

June 23, 2025June 23, 2025 brookepacheco5

Devotional Format: I Do – We Do – You Do

Focus: Genesis Chapters 6-9

Tip: I highly recommend journaling your responses to the questions, prompts, and reflections. Writing them out can help you process more deeply and see how God is working in your life.

This week’s devotion includes:

Chapter 6 – The Wickedness of the World

Chapter 7 – Trusting God in the Storm

Chapter 8 – God Remembers Us in the Waiting

Chapter 9 – Blessing Beyond Me

(Remember: This is a once-a-week devotional that can be done in one day or broken up over several days.)

I Do – Watch Me Study

Did you memorize last week’s Bible verse?

This Week’s Memory Verse — The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that trust in Him. Nahum 1:7

Genesis Chapter 6 – God’s Covenant with Noah

(Read Genesis Chapter 6 First)

Genesis 6 opens with one of the more mysterious verses in the Bible: “the sons of God” took the daughters of men as wives. I won’t dive into the theological debate on whether the “sons of God” are fallen angels, descendants of Seth, or ancient rulers. But what’s important to see is that God was not pleased with these marriages.

In verse 3, God says His Spirit will not always strive with man. That word “strive” means to plead with or convict. God’s Spirit was actively reaching out to mankind, but humanity was choosing the flesh which we know is weak, sinful, and opposed to God.

Then verse 5 says, “God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” That’s heartbreaking. Imagine living in a world where no one did good. Where evil was always abounding and constant. Can you imagine how on edge and unsafe you’d feel always watching your back and expecting harm?

God saw their hearts and was grieved. But even in His sorrow, He extended grace. He declared that man’s days would be 120 years. This was likely the time He gave for humanity to repent before he would send the flood.

Verses 6 and 7 show us God’s emotional response: “It repented the Lord that he had made man… and it grieved him at his heart.” The word “repented” here means He felt sorrow and deep regret over how far mankind had fallen. God’s heart aches over sin.

But then verse 8: “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.”

Why Noah? Verse 9 tells us he was a just man. He was righteous, obedient, and his heart was fixed on God. He was perfect in his generations, meaning blameless and full of integrity. But most importantly, “Noah walked with God.” That’s the kind of life we’re aiming for and can be achieved with a daily, faithful walk with the Lord.

As I read the rest of the chapter, I was struck by how detailed God’s instructions were. He tells Noah exactly what to do, even the window, which Noah will one day open to release the dove. God knew every part of the storm that was coming, and He equipped Noah with exactly what he’d need to get through it.

The last verse of the chapter is such a simple but beautiful testimony: “Noah did all that God commanded him.” Imagine how hard it was building a massive ark by hand, gathering animals, storing food for people and beasts alike. But Noah obeyed. He trusted. And God carried him through.

We Do – Let’s Study Together

Trusting God in the Storm

(Read Genesis 7)

Genesis 7 shows us a God who is both just and patient, powerful and precise. As we walk through this chapter together, let’s ask ourselves: Are we listening when God speaks? We may not hear an audible voice like Noah might have, but God still speaks through His Word, through conviction, through other Christians, and through peace or unrest in our spirit. Are we paying attention?

God gave Noah specific instructions down to the number of animals, the timing, and even the waiting period before the flood began. What might God be asking you to prepare for? Sometimes obedience means getting to work before we see the storm clouds.

Let’s pause and reflect:

•Is there something God is prompting you to do, even if it doesn’t make sense right now?

•Do you tend to wait until the storm is right overhead before you listen and obey?

•How do you see God’s mercy in His 7-day delay before judgment began?

Even in judgment, God was measured and merciful. He preserved life, made a covenant, and gave Noah everything he needed to endure. Let’s cling to this truth: God’s plans are not rushed or random. They are perfect, even when we don’t understand them.

Together, let’s pray for the faith to obey, the patience to wait, and the trust to enter when He says, “Come.”

(Read Genesis 8)

God Remembers Us in the Waiting

Let’s sit with one of the most hope-filled truths in the story of Noah:

“And God remembered Noah…” (Genesis 8:1)

The storm had lasted 150 days. That’s almost half a year of nothing but water, noise, unknowns, and waiting. But when the time was right, God caused a wind to blow, and the waters began to recede. This was God’s mercy in real life.

Can you think of a time when you were stuck in a long, heavy season? Maybe you felt like the storm would never end. But then one day it did. The heaviness began to lift. The panic settled. A little peace returned.

That wasn’t coincidence. That was God remembering you.

Let’s also notice the dove. She returned to Noah with an olive leaf, a small symbol of hope. She could’ve kept it, but she brought it back. This made me think of how God sometimes sends someone to us in our hardest moments to say, “You’re not forgotten.”

Take a moment to reflect:

• Has God ever sent someone to encourage you during a storm?

• Has He ever used you to bring hope to someone else?

When Noah left the ark, the very first thing he did was worship. He built an altar and offered a sacrifice of gratitude. And Scripture says the Lord smelled a “sweet savour.”

True worship touches the heart of God.

As we think about this, let’s ask ourselves:

• In my seasons of survival, have I made space to worship?

• When God brings me through, do I stop and say thank You?

Together, let’s commit to remembering what Noah knew:

God is faithful in the flood, we can trust Him in the waiting, and He is worthy of our worship.

You Do – Apply It Personally

Now it’s your turn.

Read through Genesis 9 and take some time to think about and journal through the questions below. Ask the Holy Spirit to help show you how to apply them personally to your life.

1. Legacy of Obedience

“And God blessed Noah and his sons…” (Genesis 9:1)

•Why do you think God chose to bless Noah’s sons even though the text doesn’t speak of their faith?

• What are some ways I can be faithful to God as a parent and hope that my children are blessed by my actions?

After you reflect:

When I read that God blessed Noah AND his sons, it made me stop and think that my faithfulness, trust, and obedience to God could trickle down and bless my children. Here are some ways that we can be intentional and live this out:

• Stay rooted in God’s Word and walk in obedience.

• Pray blessings over my children daily.

• Live in a way that my children see what faith looks like.

• Trust that my walk with God impacts them more than I realize.

2. Image-Bearing and Justice

“Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you… even as the green herb have I given you all things.” (Genesis 9:3)

“Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.” (Genesis 9:6)

•What does it mean to you personally that you are made in God’s image?

•How might this truth shape the way you see others, especially those who are hard to love?

•Do you carry any unforgiveness or judgment that needs to be surrendered to God’s justice?

After you reflect:

In these verses, we see both the generosity of God and the value He places on life. God gave humans the right to eat all animals but He also set a clear boundary: human life must not be taken. People are sacred to God because we are made in His image. Let’s look at some ways we can apply this to our everyday lives:

• Treat others with respect, knowing they bear God’s image.

• Teach my children that life is sacred from the womb to the elderly.

• Honor God by how I treat His creation.

3. God’s Promises and His Sign

“I do set my bow in the cloud…” (Genesis 9:13)

•How do you typically remember God’s promises in your everyday life?

•What has God promised you in His Word that you may have forgotten?

After you reflect:

God gave a rainbow as a sign of His covenant never to destroy the whole earth by flood again. Here are some ways we can be reminded of God’s promises to us.

•Pay attention to the signs of God’s faithfulness (even in nature.)

•Create my own reminders (journals, scripture cards, or prayers) of God’s promises to me.

•Teach my children to see God’s hand in everyday beauty.

4. Handle the failures of others with honor, not shame.

“And Shem and Japheth took a garment… and covered the nakedness of their father.” (Genesis 9:23)

•How do you usually respond when someone close to you fails or sins?

•Is there anyone in your life right now you’re tempted to talk about instead of cover with grace?

•What would it look like to “walk backward” and cover someone with honor and love?

After you reflect:

Ham exposed his father’s shame, but Shem and Japheth honored him by covering him without looking. For us today, this means:

• When someone falls short, choose compassion

• Respond with grace

• Cover others in love the way Christ covers me.

5. Noah’s Humanity and God’s Mercy

“And Noah lived after the flood three hundred and fifty years… and he died.” (Genesis 9:28–29)

•How do you feel about Noah’s failure being recorded after such great faithfulness?

•What encouragement does it give you to know that even the righteous stumble?

•Where do you need to give yourself grace to keep walking forward?

After you reflect:

Noah was righteous, but he wasn’t perfect. His story doesn’t end in failure.

How can I live this out?

• Be humble. Anyone can stumble.

• Be hopeful that even though I fail, it doesn’t define my future.

• Keep pressing on.

Key Takeaway:

Faithful obedience leaves a legacy, honors God, and invites blessing that reaches beyond you.

Heavenly Father,

I want to thank your Spirit for reaching out to us to do good. You know how weak our flesh is and you continue to help us overcome it’s sinful nature. Your heart aches over sin and yet you still give us grace. Help us to continue in walking daily with you, reading your word, and spending time in prayer. I’m in awe that you know everything about our lives before they even happen and you equip us with exactly what we need. Help us to obey and trust that you will see us through. Thank you for speaking to us, and may we have ears to listen. We know heavy seasons will come in our lives, but we thank you for growing us during those times, remembering us, and eventually lifting our heaviness. Help us to live our lives for you, Lord, and allow those blessings to trickle down to our children. Help us to go through each day treating everyone with honor and respect because we know how important and sacred people are to you because you created us in your own image. Help us to choose compassion, grace, and love in how we treat others and ourselves. Help us to stay humble and obedient.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen

Week Two

June 16, 2025 brookepacheco5

The Study of Genesis: Week Two
Hearts, Sin, and a Faithful God: Lessons from Genesis 3–5

Devotional Format: I Do – We Do – You Do

Focus: Genesis 3–5

Tip: I highly recommend journaling your responses to the questions, prompts, and reflections. Writing them out can help you process more deeply and see how God is working in your life.

This week’s devotion includes:

– Reflection on sin’s subtlety (Genesis 3)

– A study on Cain and Abel (Genesis 4)

– A look at God’s faithfulness through genealogy (Genesis 5)

(Remember: This is a once-a-week devotional that can be done in one day or broken up over several days.)

I Do – Watch Me Study

The Subtle Entrance of Sin

(Read Genesis Chapter 3 First)

Did you memorize last week’s Bible verse?

This Week’s Memory Verse — Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23

In Genesis chapter 3, we first read about the serpent. Were you reminded of sin when you read about this creature? Think about the connection. A snake is incredibly subtle. It moves quietly, low to the ground, hidden beneath grass, leaves, or shadows. It can slip through tight spaces, slide up trees and walls, and remain completely unnoticed until it strikes. You may not even realize it’s there until it’s too late.

It’s no coincidence that this is the creature used to bring deception into the world. In the garden, he approached Eve not with obvious evil, but with twisted truth, suggesting that God was holding something back from her. He planted doubt and misrepresented rebellion as wisdom.

Sin often shows up in our lives the same way: quietly and disguised. For example, maybe you start comparing your life to someone else’s on social media. At first it seems harmless and you’re just scrolling, liking, and observing. But over time, discontentment creeps in. You begin to question your worth, your purpose, maybe even God’s plan for you. That’s how the enemy works: subtly. He doesn’t always tempt us with something clearly wrong. Sometimes, it’s just a seed of doubt, jealousy, or pride that begins to take root in our hearts.

That’s why it’s so important to stay close to God’s Word and keep our hearts guarded. When we walk closely with Him, we can better recognize those sneaky lies and choose truth instead.

Recognizing Sin’s Sneaky Patterns

Let’s look at some other ways sin may creep subtly into our lives:

Bitterness in Relationships

Maybe you’ve been here too. You get hurt by a friend or family member, and instead of addressing it or forgiving, you brush it off and bury it. But over time, that unresolved hurt turns into resentment. It affects how you treat them, how you think about them, and even how open you are with others. Bitterness creeps in quietly, but left unchecked, it hardens the heart. What started as a small offense can become a spiritual stronghold if we don’t let God heal it.

Subtle Entertainment Shifts

I’ve noticed how easily I can fall into this. You start watching a show that seems mostly clean with just a few questionable parts. But gradually, you get desensitized to language, sexuality, or the values it pushes. Before long, things that once made you uncomfortable now seem “normal.” The enemy loves to slowly convince us it’s no big deal.

In Psalm 101:3, God calls us to guard our eyes. David said, “I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.”

The Hebrew meaning of “wicked” in this verse is “worthless.” David is saying that he will not allow himself to look at or focus on anything that would lead him away from righteousness. He hates the evil and sin that people do who turn away from God to pursue a sinful life. He doesn’t want to be around them so that their sinful nature doesn’t “stick” to or influence him.

For us today, we can be intentional about what we watch, read, listen to, or give our attention to so that we avoid things that are impure, empty, or distracting from God.

Justifying Gossip

This is something God has been showing me lately. It starts as “just sharing a concern,” but before you know it, you’re talking negatively about someone behind their back. The words seem small and harmless, but the heart behind them isn’t loving or honoring. The enemy can tempt us with conversations that feel casual but pull us away from honoring God with our speech.

Self-Sufficiency

It happens to us all. Life gets busy, and instead of praying or seeking God, you start relying on your own strength. You stop reading your Bible “just for today,” and soon a week has passed. It doesn’t feel sinful, but it slowly leads to a dry, distant heart. Satan can easily convince us we don’t have time for God today.

These are just a few subtle ways sin can sneak in, and we are all guilty at times. But as we draw closer to God, He helps us see them more clearly and gives us strength to turn from them.

Let’s pause at Genesis 3:3:

“But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.”

This verse made me stop and wonder: Why would God give such a strong command with such a serious consequence… but not explain why? Why didn’t He explain to Adam and Eve the reason behind His forbidding?

But then I thought about parenting. My husband and I (and you probably do too) often give our children rules without going into every reason why. For example, we tell them not to go off with someone they don’t know. We might say, “Because they could take you away from us,” but we don’t go into all the dark and scary details. Why? Because we want to protect their innocence. We just want them to trust that our boundaries are for their good.

In the same way, God didn’t lay out the full weight of what eating the fruit would bring. He simply asked them to trust Him. He wasn’t being unfair. He was being loving. I believe He was shielding them from the burden of knowing evil.

God never wanted us to live in a broken world full of pain, fear, and sin. I imagine heaven as the way things were always meant to be… God’s beautiful creation, living in harmony, worshiping Him, free from the burden of sin and sorrow. That’s the kind of life He invited Adam and Eve into and still invites us into when we trust and follow Him.

After Adam and Eve sinned, Genesis 3:7 says,

“And the eyes of them both were opened.”

Their innocence was gone, and now they knew both good and evil. From that moment on, God knew sin couldn’t be left unchecked, and each act of disobedience would need to be addressed.

That reminds me so much of parenting. Why do our kids obey? Often, it’s because they know there will be consequences. As parents, we give those consequences not to punish in anger, but to lovingly guide and protect our children and to help them grow into wise, thoughtful people. God does the same with us.

The Bible says in Hebrews 12:6:

“For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.”

In other words, God’s discipline is a sign of His deep love. Through the Holy Spirit, He gently convicts us in order to shape us. Just like a good parent, God corrects those He calls His own, because He desires our growth and our good.

We Do – Let’s Study Together

Cain and Abel: Giving with the Right Heart

(Read Genesis 4)

This is the story of Cain and Abel, the first two sons of Adam and Eve.

Cain was a gardener, and Abel was a shepherd. When it came time to bring an offering, Cain brought fruit from the ground, and Abel brought a firstling of his flock and its fat. The Lord respected Abel’s offering but not Cain’s. So let’s explore what God is teaching us here about the heart behind our giving. What does God value from us?

The Bible tells us in Genesis 4:4–5 that “The Lord respected Abel and his offering, but He did not respect Cain and his offering.” That might seem confusing at first. After all, they both brought something, right?

Take a moment to read Genesis 4:3–5 slowly.

What do you notice about Cain’s offering compared to Abel’s?

What might the difference be in how each one gave?

After You Reflect:

Here’s what stood out to me: Abel brought the firstborn of his flock. That means he gave the best and first of what he had. And it was a blood offering, which points forward to Jesus, the Lamb who would one day shed His blood for the forgiveness of our sins.

In the Old Testament, God later required blood sacrifices to atone for sin (Leviticus 17:11), and Hebrews 9:22 says, “Without shedding of blood, there is no remission [of sins].”

Abel gave in faith, trusting and honoring God with his best. That’s confirmed in Hebrews 11:4, which says:

“By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain… and by it he being dead yet speaks.”

Now Cain brought an offering too, but the Bible doesn’t say he brought the first or the best. It just says he brought “some” of the fruit of the ground and remember that’s the same ground that God had already cursed back in Genesis 3. There’s no mention of faith or sacrifice, just something he produced. Maybe he was going through the motions or offering on his own terms instead of God’s.

1 John 3:12 helps us understand even more. It says:

“Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one… because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.”

Cain had the wrong heart motives.

God knew the difference. Abel’s offering was worshipful and pointed toward Christ. Cain’s was prideful and self-directed. And even after Cain’s offering was rejected, God was still merciful. He spoke with Cain and invited him to do better.

So what does this mean for us?

Let’s ask ourselves a few heart questions:

• Am I giving God my best or just what’s convenient?

• Am I acting out of faith or obligation?

• Are my motives truly to honor Him or to check a box or earn approval?

And here’s something to think about:

If we ever feel jealous of someone else’s closeness with God, like Cain did with Abel, it might be a signal to examine our own heart. God wants our love, our trust, and our faith not just our effort.

Journal Prompt:

Write down a recent moment when you “gave” something to God (time, service, worship, finances, etc.).

Was it your best? Was it done in faith?

Be honest. There’s no guilt here. We’re here to grow.

After You Reflect:

God isn’t after perfection. He’s after your heart. He values faith, trust, and a spirit of worship. Just like He invited Cain to do better, He lovingly invites us too. We don’t have to be afraid of correction. He corrects us because He cares.

Even after Cain’s offering was rejected, God didn’t lash out in anger. Instead, He gave Cain a chance to reflect and repent. In Genesis 4:6–7, God asks him:

“Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted?”

It’s like God was gently saying, “You know what to do. If your heart is right, your offering will be too.”

But Cain didn’t respond with humility. He let bitterness take over. Instead of turning back to God, he turned against his brother. In verse 8, we read the devastating moment when Cain murders Abel. The very first human death recorded in the Bible caused by jealousy and pride.

And still… God didn’t destroy Cain.

God confronts him, just like a loving Father would. He asks Cain where his brother is. And it’s not that God didn’t already know, but He was giving Cain a chance to confess. Yet Cain replies, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”

So God delivers judgment: Cain would be cursed from the earth and made to be a wanderer. But even then, we see a glimpse of grace. In verse 15, God places a mark of protection on Cain so that no one would kill him. Even after all that, God preserved his life.

That blows me away. God is holy and just, but He is also unbelievably merciful. Cain deserved severe punishment, but God still cared for him.

And isn’t that just like our God?

He sees every motive, every sinful thought, and yet He continues to extend mercy. Like a loving parent, He corrects us but He never walks away from us.

So today, let’s remember:

• God desires our heart, not just our actions.

• He wants us to worship in spirit and in truth.

• And even when we mess up, He’s there calling us back with both correction and compassion.

Let’s stay close to Him.

Let’s bring our best.

Let’s check our motives.

And let’s be thankful for a God who doesn’t give up on us even when we get it wrong.

You Do – Apply It Personally

Genealogy & God’s Faithfulness

(Read Genesis 5)

Now it’s your turn.

Read through Genesis 5, a chapter full of names and ages of the descendants of Adam.

If we’re being honest, it might not seem like the most exciting read at first glance. But there’s something deeply meaningful here.

Even though it may not feel action-packed, it’s important to let your eyes fall on these names. From Adam, the very first man, to Noah, the man God would later use in a powerful way. This genealogy follows the line of Adam through Seth (not Cain), the son born after Abel was tragically murdered. That detail matters!

This chapter reminds us that the Bible is not a collection of fairy tales. It’s built on the lives of real people who lived real years and real lives.

Personal Reflection & Application

Think about or journal your responses to these questions:

1. Why do you think God included the names and ages of these individuals?

What does that reveal about how He values people and generations?

2. When you read names like Adam, Seth, and Noah, do you see them as real people with real lives?

How does that change the way you approach the Bible?

3. Why is it significant that this genealogy follows the line of Seth (not Cain)?

What do you notice about God’s mercy and His unfolding plan?

4. Have you ever skimmed through a chapter like this, thinking it was “boring”?

What might God be inviting you to slow down and see?

5. How does knowing God worked through generations of flawed and ordinary people give you hope for your own place in His story?

6. What does this chapter show you about God’s faithfulness, even after the heartbreak of sin and death?

Key Takeaway:

God’s love and mercy are constant even in the face of sin. He desires our hearts, corrects us lovingly, and weaves His plan through generations of imperfect people. He is faithful, and He is always working.

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for loving us and correcting us when we sin in order to teach us a better way. Thank you for never leaving us even when we allow our flesh to get in the way of your Spirit. Help us keep our motives pure in everything we do for You. Strengthen us to walk through this week with hearts open to Your leading allowing Your Spirit to work in us and through us.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen