BOOK OF
JOB
CHAPTER
5
1."Call now; is there anyone who will answer you? To which of the holy ones will you turn?
(Job Chapter 5 verse 1)
To whom can I ever turn if not to You. You are my father and my salvation. Even though I am a sinner You still give me Your love and support. You made me and therefore You are more than aware of my weaknesses and my shortcomings as a human, however even so You never rejected me.
2. Surely vexation kills the fool, and jealousy slays the simple. 3. I have seen fools taking root, but suddenly I cursed their dwelling.
(Job Chapter 5 verses 2 to 3)
When we wonder away from You oh God we are open prey. Our selfish and evil natural self can easily get the better of us. Moreover the evil one may easily make profit of the state of anger or sin that we are in and create in us feelings of jealousy and more anger that sinful bondage that help us remain in this dreadful state.
4. Their children are far from safety, they are crushed in the gate, and there is no one to deliver them.
(Job Chapter 5 verse 4)
I thank You God that You Yourself chose to be the means of my salvation. I am oppressed but not overcome for even though I am oppressed by my world, we walk together triumphantly like two allies in battle against the forces of evil.
5. The hungry eat their harvest, and they take it even out of the thorns; and the the thirsty pant after their wealth.
(Job Chapter 5 verse 5)
Oh Job how right you are. The poor always earn their living with much agony and strain, and the rich are always planning how to become richer and increase their earnings. However what is really important is our relationship with god our Father. We can be rich and happy with God, but on the other hand we can be rich and end up being unhappy people, for although we may be rich in possessions if we do not have God we are still empty. There will come a time when all the riches of the world will never be able to replace Your presence and will never satisfy the wishes of humanity. It is like pouring water into a bucket that has a hole in it. Water will always leak out and the bucket of our lives our thirst will never be satisfied if not with You oh God.
6. For misery does not come from the earth, nor does trouble sprout from the ground; 7. but human beings are born to trouble just as sparks fly upward.
(Job Chapter 5 verses 6 to 7)
Indeed oh God from the moment of our birth we have inherited a sinful nature, but a holy soul that is Your presence dwelling in us. Throughout each day of our lives our soul is in conflict with the wishes, needs and desires of the flesh within us that at many times are in conflict with the presence of the Holy Spirit of God who dwells in us. Now that it is winter in Malta every morning my body which craves for the warmth of comfort of my bed with my family, however every morning at 6.00 am You wake me up oh God to spend time with You in prayer. Amen. There are moments oh God when the body gets the better of me and I wake up later thus sacrificing this bounty of time that we spend together which I really miss during such moments. I thank You oh God for these moments of fellowship with You every day of my life.
8. As for me, I would seek God, and to God I would commit my cause.
(Job Chapter 5 verse 8)
Oh God to You I commit my case. As a human I face persecution both internally and externally. Each day I wage the battle of choosing between my feelings, the ways of the world, and acting according to Your will which is the best decision of all. I am faced with a situation in relation to the accident that I had where the guilty party is not claiming responsibility for the damages and I am constrained to keep on waiting till the person is convinced by all parties to do so. I thank You for resolving the issue with the Water and electricity Company which has now reimbursed us with the credit that we previously had. Amen.
9. He does great things and unsearchable, marvelous things without number. 10. He gives rain on the earth and sends waters on the fields; 11. he sets on high those who are lowly, and those who mourn are lifted to safety.
(Job Chapter 5 verses 9 to 11)
Oh God when we are feeling depressed we tend to focus on the negative however when we do so, we take for granted the many acts of goodness as mentioned that You do on our behalf, such acts such as sending the rain that we may consider as being trivial that we cannot survive without them. I thank You oh God for these simple but important things Amen.
12. He frustrates the devices of the crafty, so that their hands achieve no success.
(Job Chapter 5 verse 12)
Oh God even though as sinners we have the capacity to make negative plans, out of that same evil plan or negative intention You have the power and capacity to turn the planned negative outcome into a positive one in our favour.
13. He takes the wise in their own craftiness; and the schemes of the wily are brought to a quick end.
(Job Chapter 5 verse 13)
Oh God even though we have greatly advanced in artificial intelligence and the sciences, so much that we think we are as good as You and are meddling in areas that we should not, Your knowledge surpasses all human intelligence and knowledge and that we can never out mach You no matter what and how!
14. They meet with darkness in the daytime, and grope at noonday as in the night.
(Job Chapter 5 verse 14)
Oh God have mercy on us, for although we think we have become wiser and advanced on many levels we are still living a life of confusion. On the one hand we say that we believe in social justice on the other hand we demand that the people of Africa, the same people whom in the course of time we have plundered their resources.
15. But he saves the needy from the sword of their mouth, from the hand of the mighty. 16. So the poor have hope, and injustice shuts its mouth.
(Job Chapter 5 verses 15 to 16)
Oh God I thanking You for saving me from my own self, for at times I am not in control of what I say and think. I thank You for those situations when You saved me by intervening on my behalf by means of others, who at the time had a clearer vision than myself. I also thank You for giving me the appropriate words during particular circumstances by which I can be of help to others instead of causing harm and pain.
17. "How happy is the one whom God reproves; therefore do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. 18. For he wounds, but he binds up; he strikes, but his hands heal. 19. He will deliver you from six troubles; in seven no harm shall touch you.
(Job Chapter 5 verses 17 to 19)
Oh God what a torrent of consolation and love. Even though we are sinful by nature, You use the trials of life as discipline so that we can continue growing as humans and as Your sons and daughters. As it is written although You permit us to experience tribulations You also give us the needed support love and consolations at the right time. Therefore when we are experiencing such a negative time, do not consider it negative but positive for it is not an act of hate but an act of love, the holy discipline of God who inflicts but also heals. Amen.
20. In famine he will redeem you from death, and in war from the power of the sword. 21. You shall be hidden from the scourge of the tongue, and shall not fear destruction when it comes.
(Job Chapter 5 verses 20 to 21)
Oh God if You would also protect me from my own tongue and even from that of others. At times the environment at both home and work are so hectic that I cannot control my tongue and end up saying and doing things that later on I will forever regret. I pray for self control by the power of Your Holy Spirit amen.
22. At destruction and famine you shall laugh, and shall not fear wild animals of the earth. 23. For you shall be in league with the stones of the field, and the wild animals shall be at peace with you.
(Job Chapter 5 verses 22 to 23)
Oh God when we wander away from You we also wander away from civilisation and start living a life that is far from the accepted norms of civilisation as we know it. Gradually we start breaking one norm after another and start degenerating to a state of nature, thus leading to the loss of human dignity.
24. You shall know that your tent is safe, you shall inspect your fold and miss nothing. 25. You shall know that your descendants will be many, and your offspring like the grass of the earth. 26. You shall come to your grave in ripe old age, as a shock of grain comes up to the threshing floor in its season. 27. See, we have searched this out; it is true. Hear, and know it for yourself."
(Job Chapter 5 verses 24 to 27)
When placing our trust in You I know that we lack in nothing. As in the case of Abraham and even Job they were promised and given in abundance, however we are to be faithful to You even during moments when the going appears to be tough as in the case of Job. It is a real pity that when we are experiencing such bitter moments our focus instantly shifts on to ourselves and not on God.
Oh my God and Father I would like to end this chapter with the following prayer that is dedicated to those of us who are experiencing feelings of depression and suicidal thoughts.
I invite all readers of this chapter to join me in this prayer by clicking on the following link:-
Prayer for depression anxiety and stress
2. Surely vexation kills the fool, and jealousy slays the simple. 3. I have seen fools taking root, but suddenly I cursed their dwelling.
(Job Chapter 5 verses 2 to 3)
When we wonder away from You oh God we are open prey. Our selfish and evil natural self can easily get the better of us. Moreover the evil one may easily make profit of the state of anger or sin that we are in and create in us feelings of jealousy and more anger that sinful bondage that help us remain in this dreadful state.
4. Their children are far from safety, they are crushed in the gate, and there is no one to deliver them.
(Job Chapter 5 verse 4)
I thank You God that You Yourself chose to be the means of my salvation. I am oppressed but not overcome for even though I am oppressed by my world, we walk together triumphantly like two allies in battle against the forces of evil.
5. The hungry eat their harvest, and they take it even out of the thorns; and the the thirsty pant after their wealth.
(Job Chapter 5 verse 5)
Oh Job how right you are. The poor always earn their living with much agony and strain, and the rich are always planning how to become richer and increase their earnings. However what is really important is our relationship with god our Father. We can be rich and happy with God, but on the other hand we can be rich and end up being unhappy people, for although we may be rich in possessions if we do not have God we are still empty. There will come a time when all the riches of the world will never be able to replace Your presence and will never satisfy the wishes of humanity. It is like pouring water into a bucket that has a hole in it. Water will always leak out and the bucket of our lives our thirst will never be satisfied if not with You oh God.
6. For misery does not come from the earth, nor does trouble sprout from the ground; 7. but human beings are born to trouble just as sparks fly upward.
(Job Chapter 5 verses 6 to 7)
Indeed oh God from the moment of our birth we have inherited a sinful nature, but a holy soul that is Your presence dwelling in us. Throughout each day of our lives our soul is in conflict with the wishes, needs and desires of the flesh within us that at many times are in conflict with the presence of the Holy Spirit of God who dwells in us. Now that it is winter in Malta every morning my body which craves for the warmth of comfort of my bed with my family, however every morning at 6.00 am You wake me up oh God to spend time with You in prayer. Amen. There are moments oh God when the body gets the better of me and I wake up later thus sacrificing this bounty of time that we spend together which I really miss during such moments. I thank You oh God for these moments of fellowship with You every day of my life.
8. As for me, I would seek God, and to God I would commit my cause.
(Job Chapter 5 verse 8)
Oh God to You I commit my case. As a human I face persecution both internally and externally. Each day I wage the battle of choosing between my feelings, the ways of the world, and acting according to Your will which is the best decision of all. I am faced with a situation in relation to the accident that I had where the guilty party is not claiming responsibility for the damages and I am constrained to keep on waiting till the person is convinced by all parties to do so. I thank You for resolving the issue with the Water and electricity Company which has now reimbursed us with the credit that we previously had. Amen.
9. He does great things and unsearchable, marvelous things without number. 10. He gives rain on the earth and sends waters on the fields; 11. he sets on high those who are lowly, and those who mourn are lifted to safety.
(Job Chapter 5 verses 9 to 11)
Oh God when we are feeling depressed we tend to focus on the negative however when we do so, we take for granted the many acts of goodness as mentioned that You do on our behalf, such acts such as sending the rain that we may consider as being trivial that we cannot survive without them. I thank You oh God for these simple but important things Amen.
12. He frustrates the devices of the crafty, so that their hands achieve no success.
(Job Chapter 5 verse 12)
Oh God even though as sinners we have the capacity to make negative plans, out of that same evil plan or negative intention You have the power and capacity to turn the planned negative outcome into a positive one in our favour.
13. He takes the wise in their own craftiness; and the schemes of the wily are brought to a quick end.
(Job Chapter 5 verse 13)
Oh God even though we have greatly advanced in artificial intelligence and the sciences, so much that we think we are as good as You and are meddling in areas that we should not, Your knowledge surpasses all human intelligence and knowledge and that we can never out mach You no matter what and how!
14. They meet with darkness in the daytime, and grope at noonday as in the night.
(Job Chapter 5 verse 14)
Oh God have mercy on us, for although we think we have become wiser and advanced on many levels we are still living a life of confusion. On the one hand we say that we believe in social justice on the other hand we demand that the people of Africa, the same people whom in the course of time we have plundered their resources.
15. But he saves the needy from the sword of their mouth, from the hand of the mighty. 16. So the poor have hope, and injustice shuts its mouth.
(Job Chapter 5 verses 15 to 16)
Oh God I thanking You for saving me from my own self, for at times I am not in control of what I say and think. I thank You for those situations when You saved me by intervening on my behalf by means of others, who at the time had a clearer vision than myself. I also thank You for giving me the appropriate words during particular circumstances by which I can be of help to others instead of causing harm and pain.
17. "How happy is the one whom God reproves; therefore do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. 18. For he wounds, but he binds up; he strikes, but his hands heal. 19. He will deliver you from six troubles; in seven no harm shall touch you.
(Job Chapter 5 verses 17 to 19)
Oh God what a torrent of consolation and love. Even though we are sinful by nature, You use the trials of life as discipline so that we can continue growing as humans and as Your sons and daughters. As it is written although You permit us to experience tribulations You also give us the needed support love and consolations at the right time. Therefore when we are experiencing such a negative time, do not consider it negative but positive for it is not an act of hate but an act of love, the holy discipline of God who inflicts but also heals. Amen.
20. In famine he will redeem you from death, and in war from the power of the sword. 21. You shall be hidden from the scourge of the tongue, and shall not fear destruction when it comes.
(Job Chapter 5 verses 20 to 21)
Oh God if You would also protect me from my own tongue and even from that of others. At times the environment at both home and work are so hectic that I cannot control my tongue and end up saying and doing things that later on I will forever regret. I pray for self control by the power of Your Holy Spirit amen.
22. At destruction and famine you shall laugh, and shall not fear wild animals of the earth. 23. For you shall be in league with the stones of the field, and the wild animals shall be at peace with you.
(Job Chapter 5 verses 22 to 23)
Oh God when we wander away from You we also wander away from civilisation and start living a life that is far from the accepted norms of civilisation as we know it. Gradually we start breaking one norm after another and start degenerating to a state of nature, thus leading to the loss of human dignity.
24. You shall know that your tent is safe, you shall inspect your fold and miss nothing. 25. You shall know that your descendants will be many, and your offspring like the grass of the earth. 26. You shall come to your grave in ripe old age, as a shock of grain comes up to the threshing floor in its season. 27. See, we have searched this out; it is true. Hear, and know it for yourself."
(Job Chapter 5 verses 24 to 27)
When placing our trust in You I know that we lack in nothing. As in the case of Abraham and even Job they were promised and given in abundance, however we are to be faithful to You even during moments when the going appears to be tough as in the case of Job. It is a real pity that when we are experiencing such bitter moments our focus instantly shifts on to ourselves and not on God.
Oh my God and Father I would like to end this chapter with the following prayer that is dedicated to those of us who are experiencing feelings of depression and suicidal thoughts.
I invite all readers of this chapter to join me in this prayer by clicking on the following link:-
Prayer for depression anxiety and stress
