Sunday 11 Jun 2023

June 11: Job 29:11-16

Key Verse: Job 29:16
I was a father to the needy; I took up the case of the stranger.

Devotion:
What does it mean to love your neighbour? Well, Job had a rough time as the evil one tried to get him to turn against God, but he never forgot what it was all about in his heart. Yes we give in to things in our lives and when the going gets too tough we ask for help or even give in, but that does not change our core beliefs; and this is what I see when I read Job’s final defence against the aggravation he was receiving on all fronts.

He turned back to examine himself to make sure he had not missed anything and in doing so remembered what he was doing for all of his neighbours. Those who knew him or met him would talk fondly of him and would commend him for the work he did, something I’m sure he took in his stride and played down. But it was to the people whom were directly affected by what he did his memories turned here.

The poor who cried out for help would be the ones he would target for help and support. Those orphans and families who had lost parents would be there on the list to help. Those who were reaching their end of life would praise him – so he must have been doing something for them too! The widows who were shunned by others would be helped by him. The disadvantaged would be supported wherever he could help…

It did not have to be friends or friends of friends before he would step forward and help, he stepped out and helped before people came to him asking for help. This is the righteousness he was talking about – the righteousness according to God’s standards and not to man’s standards. He chose to actively be active for the needy rather than waiting to see who falls before he stepped forward to help!

Points to Ponder:
Do you count yourself as a good person?

How often do you help the needy before they ask for help?