The Book of Job Chapter 19

The Book of Job 

Chapter 

19

1. Then Job answered: 2. How long will you torment me, and break me in pieces with words? 3. These ten times you have cast reproach upon me; are you not ashamed to wrong me? 4. And even if it is true that I have erred my error remains with me.



(The Book of Job Chapter 19 verses 1 to 4)


Oh God my Father when we experience hard times we turn on You and ask You the reason why You permitted the village in Italy to be destroyed which resulted in alot of people dead and many other personal or global events that have taken place. Since we do not have the answers we end up blaming You. It is only when such events take place that we acknowledge You as being the sole Master Creator. It is a pity that we do not accept You as God our Father even when the going is good Amen



5. If indeed you magnify yourselves against me, and make my humiliation an argument against me, 6. know then that God has put me in the wrong, and closed his net around me.




(The Book of Job Chapter 19 verses 5 to 6)


Oh God my Father during times of pain and anguish we may think that You are using us as a dart board and that all the bad and negative things are happening only to us. However, Your love and protection never ends. It is like a force field that protects us that only we can permit to be there or even not to be there by means of our choices. When we decide to go against You, my God and Father we turn off our protective shield.




7. Even when I cry out, "Violence! I am not answered; I call aloud, but there is no justice.



(The Book of Job Chapter 19 verse 7)




Oh God my Father many times we may be under the impression that You do not listen to our prayers, however in truth not one of our prayers which are healthy and positive go to waste. However, if we pray that negative things happen to others, such as war, violence or death we do not expect a positive reply from You my God and Father. With You my God it is like the basic model of communication that is used in everyday life. I invite you all to click on the following video clip which gives a detailed account of this model.


The basic communication model




8. He has walled up my way so that I cannot pass, and he has set darkness upon my paths.



(The Book of Job Chapter 19 verse 8)




At times oh God my Father it seems that life is hopeless. As if I am with my back to the wall, the victim of my own consequences. During such moments when I focus on myself and my self-pity, I can see nothing all seems black and gloomy or depressing. However oh God my Father, when I remember your grace and mercy, I realize that all is happening for a reason and that You are in total control of my life, and whatever happens You will not let me perish Amen.




9. He has stripped my glory from me, and taken the crown from my head. 10. He breaks me down on every side, and I am gone, he has uprooted my hope like a tree.



(The Book of Job Chapter 19 verse 9 to 10)



Oh God my Father during intense moments of stress and depression we tend to blame You for all that happens to us, even though in truth we know that You had nothing to do with what actually happened. We feel broken and dejected, with no means of hope or security, we feel scared and lonely. However if we look beyond the problem You are there calling us to You with outstretched arms waiting for us to turn to Him so that You can kiss and hug us as Your children and give us the needed comfort and support Amen. 



11. He has kindled his wrath against me, and counts me as his adversary. 12. His troops come on together; they have thrown siegeworks against me, and encamp around my tent.


(The Book of Job Chapter 19 verses 11 to 12)



Oh God my Father You love me so much. It is not You but the enemy that is all out against me. The evil spirit is at work in the block of flats where I live. My family and that of my neighbour are constantly under siege. The evil one is trying to make us break down our marriages, by causing alot of trouble. I pray for Your protection my God and Father Amen.



13. "He has put my family far from me, and my acquaintances are wholly estranged from me. 14. My relatives and my close friends have failed me; 15. the guests in my house have forgotten me;  my serving girls count me as a stranger; I have become an alien in their eyes.



(The Book of Job Chapter 19 verses 13 to 15)



Oh God my Father I also feel like a stranger in my own home. My relationship with ny wife has technically ended even though we still in the same house. The only two reasons why I am still married is that I still value the 'Yes' that I gave to You at the time of marriage. The second reason is because I do not want to break my daughter's heart whom I greatly love. I am sorry oh God my Father that she ends up being present and hurt by moments of arguments and stress, but I have no control over such situations. I have been praying alot for You to intervene in the situation but for now it seems You have not given Your consent either for the relationship to improve, or that I die, or that some extraordinary circumstances happen that compel me to leave home in a peaceful and legitimate manner. I place my case in Your hands as I have done many times my God and Father Amen,



16. I call to my servant, but he gives me no answer; I must myself plead with him.


(The Book of Job Chapter 19 verse 16)




Oh God my Father, how nice it would be to treat all on an equal level, regardless of one's role or status. How nice it is to focus on our relationships and seek a healthy balance between work and home. I thank You oh God for intervening in my life and restoring the much-needed peace and tranquillity in my family. Even though this may not be long lasting due to our humanity, however, I still thank You for the needed break and decrease in my stress level Amen.



17. My breath is repulsive to my wife: I am loathsome to my own family. 18. Even young children despise me; when I rise, they talk against me.



(The Book of Job Chapter 19 verses 17 to 18)



Oh God my Father and Job my friend, we are rowing the same boat, for I am also despised in the confines of my own family. There are those who love to praise themselves and place others such as myself in an inferior position under their heels. Even children may be affected by such an attitude. However, if we place our focus on God my Father, He will always reach out to us and raise us from the lower plains up on to higher ones that have more dignity and value and that will last forever Amen.



19. All my intimate friends abhor me, and those whom I loved have turned against me.


(The Book of Job Chapter 19 verse 19)



Oh God my Father we can have no intimate friend but You, for the people of the world one cannot trust, for today I am on their good side and they shower me with praise for doing a good job and sharing my time and love, and when I wrong them or for some reason come to disagreement over some intimate issue, the same people turn against me and become indifferent. Therefore I have learnt to trust nobody but You my, God and Father.


20. My bones cling to my skin and to my flesh and I have escaped by the skin of my teeth.


(The Book of Job Chapter 19 verse 20)






Oh God my Father when we are in such a state our bodies go on a diet because we tend not to eat, however when we are lacking in our relationship with You even our spirit becomes lacking so our diet becomes on a bio-psycho-spiritual level, which is unhealthy for both mind and body. I pray for Your mercy during such moments of desolation Amen.






21. Have pity on me, have pity on me, O you my friends, for the hand of God has touched me! 22. why do you, like God, pursue me, never satisfied with my flesh?


(The Book of Job Chapter 19 verses 21 to 22)








Oh God my Father, many times we end up barking up the wrong tree. Instead of pleading to You for mercy we start pleading and bargaining with the world which can never give us mercy. Amen




23. " O that my words were written down! O that they were inscribed in a book! ²⁴ O that with an iron pen and with lead they were engraved on a rock forever!


(The Book of Job Chapter 19 verses 23 to 24) 



Oh God my Father who would have told Job that in truth his request was to be really fulfilled and not only in ink but also on the internet to remain there until google remains in existence, or until I die and someone may delete this blog (hopefully someone will decide to follow Amen).




Oh God our prayers never go to waste. I thank You for answering them in one way or another Amen. Please give me the faith and patience to wait on You for Your answers Amen even if the answer takes a long time to be passed on to me Amen.  




25. For I know that my Redeemer lives, and that at the last he will stand upon the earth;  26. and after my skin has been thus destroyed, then in my flesh I shall see God, 27. whom I shall see on my side, and my eyes shall behold, and not another.  My heart faints within me!


(The Book of Job Chapter 19 verses 25 to 27)




Oh God my Father, You are my only hope, the reason why I am still alive. Within me the flame of faith and the firm conviction that one day I will experience Your salvation, even though in this world I experience tribulations and persecutions for loving You and for sharing these prayers online. I thank You for our relationship my God and Father Amen. 




28. If you say, 'How we will persecute him!' and, "The root of the matter is found in him'; 29. be afraid of the sword, for wrath brings the punishment of the sword, so that you may know there is a judgement." 




(The Book of Job Chapter 19 verses 28 to 29)



Oh God my beloved Father it is useless of us to point our finger at You in judgement when the root of the blame is in us and not in You. In order to justify ourselves we often take this stand, however this is not fair, for all righteousness and justice is found in You alone my God and Father. Amen.



Oh God my beloved Father, I would like to end the nineteenth chapter of the book of Job with the following prayer:-



Oh brothers and sisters who may be experiencing bitter times of pain and anguish or even persecution in different forms. I pray on you to be strong and bold, for the Lord my God is with You. Even though You may think that You are alone, You are not, for He is closer to You than Your own skin, Amen Trust in Him. Those who have placed their trust in God my Father have never been disapointed Amen. God is in control. Thank You God my beloved Father.  
 

The book of Job Chapter 2

The book of Job 

Chapter

2

1. One day the heavenly beings came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them to present himself before the LORD.

(Job Chapter 2 verse 1)

It seems oh Jesus that You hold meetings with Your angels and evaluate their progress since the time of their last meeting. As humans oh Jesus it is also healthy for us to stop and evaluate our lives, in order to see what is going well and what needs to to be taken care of. On the same criteria that we do spring cleaning and maintenance routines of our vehicles and homes we are also to stop and evaluate our spiritual well being. 

In order to reach this goal our source has the following recommendation:-

Recommendation for evaluation

Once we have evaluated our lives comes the second stage of the process which is that of confessing our sins and praying to God to help us be strong in our commitment to make the necessary changes in our lives.

2. The LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered the LORD, "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it." 3. The LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man who fears God and turns away from evil. He still persists in his integrity, although you incited me against him, to destroy him for no reason."


(Job Chapter 2 verses 2 to 3)

Oh Jesus my father even though You asked the evil one for feedback You were fully aware of what harm had been inflicted on Job's property. You are aware of our doings during every second of our lives. Nothing is hidden from You and we are accountable for all that we do both in private and in public. However as in the case of Job, although we may be tried, tested and even persecuted we are to remain firm to the very end for the victory is always of God.

4. Then Satan answered the LORD, "Skin for Skin! All that people have they will give to save their lives. 5. But stretch out your hand now and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse you to your face."

(Job Chapter 2 verses 4 to 5)


It seems that Satan is familiar with human nature. He knows our greatest needs and desires, and even our weak and strong points, that is why this evil spirit knows when and where and how to hurt us.


6. The LORD said to Satan, "Very well, he is in your power; only spare his life."

(Job Chapter 2 verse 6)


Oh God You love us so much that although You permit us to be tried and tested by the forces of evil, You protect our souls from being harmed.


7. So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD, and inflicted loathsome sores on Job from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. 8. Job took a postsherd with which to scrape himself, and sat among the ashes.

(Job Chapter 2 verses 7 to 8)

Instead of being angry at You oh God for the loss of his children, property and for the physical ailments that he was experiencing Job sat down in a state of humility to You oh God, that is in the ashes which is a very humble state and did what he could in the given circumstances instead of swearing and mopping about his awesome and disgraceful situation.


9. Then his wife said to him, "Do you still persist in your integrity? Curse God and die."

(Job Chapter 2 verse 9)


Once the evil one starts harassing us, this negative spirit will use any body in order to persecute us from doing what is according to Your will oh God. You may even permit the evil one to persecute us by means of those who are closest to us, people such as our family and friends or colleagues at work.


10. But he said to her, "You speak as any foolish woman would speak. Shall we receive the good at the hand of God, and not receive the bad?" In all this Job did not sin with his lips.

(Job Chapter 2 verse 10)


Although for humans this is very hard, however as Job declared to his wife as much as we accept all the goodness that we receive from You oh God we are all also to accept the trials and tribulations that take place in our lives as also coming from You. Amen.


11. Now when Job's three friend's heard of all these troubles that had come upon him, each of them set out from his home- Eliphaz the Temanite, Rildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. They met together to go and console and comfort him.

(Job Chapter 2 verse 11)


The expression a friend in need is a friend indeed is appropriate to the given context, however in truth we have no better friend than You oh Jesus and moreover there is no other than You and Your Word that can truly of consolation to us.

12. When they saw him from a distance, they did not recognize him, and they raised their voices and wept aloud; they tore their robes and threw dust in the air upon their heads. 13. They sat with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his suffering was very great.

(Job Chapter 2 verses 12 to 13)

As in the case of Job my God and Father, from a distance we may not recognise You, however when You draw us closer to You we will experience great love, Joy and even sorrow, for although You love us so much we still as humans keep on sinning. During the time of Your passion You endured such pain that your face was not recognisable as in the case of Job. I pray that during our moments of pain and sickness and even experiences of death You will stay beside me day and night and even send human contacts by means to console me.


I would like to end this chapter with the following prayer:-


Oh God and loving father, I would like to pray for all those people who are experiencing pain and anguish due to the loss of their loved ones and even for those of us who are experiencing chronic pain as in the case of cancer and other illness or disease whether terminal or not, so that You will help them in enduring such a painful situation. I also pray for their relatives, who are also sharing the pain even though at the time they may not be in a position to express their feelings. I also pray for the family, especially those families who are passing through a hard time and may even be on the verge of divorce or separation. May Your loving mercy flow and heal the wounded hearts and spirits and bring new life to them in Your Name Amen. 

Book of Job Chapter 10

Book of  Job 

Chapter

 10

" I loathe my life; I will give free utterance to my complaint; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul. 2. I will say to God, Do not condemn me; let me know why you contend against me.

(Books of Wisdom Job Chapter 10 verses 1 to 2)

Oh God, it becomes evident that our sufferings can bring us close to You. Throughout these ten chapters, I have observed that during his proclamation of his woes and bitterness he has developed in his perception of You. In the beginning, when the devil chose to strike and test him Job addressed You as God, however later on he started addressing you in the abstract using 'him' and 'he' in order to refer to You. However in verse 2 of the tenth chapter Job addresses You as God again. 


3. Does it seem good to you to oppress, to despise the work of your hands and favor the schemes of the wicked?

(Books of Wisdom Job Chapter 10 verse 3)



Oh my, God and Father, You are a God of wisdom and justice, therefore You can never be corrupted in favour of evil people and their schemes. Although at times it seems that evil people are getting the upper hand in many situations, evil stands no chance when compared to You.


4. Do you have eyes of flesh? Do you see as humans see? 5. Are your days like the days of mortals, or your years like human years, 6. that you seek out my iniquity and search for my sin, 7. although you know that I am not guilty, and there is no one to deliver out of your hand?


(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 10 verses 4 to 7)


Oh God, my Father I thank You for becoming human so that You could experience life on earth from a human perspective. You understand us much more than we understand ourselves. Oh God, Your intentions are pure unlike our own, You seek to understand and not to condemn us. Amen. If there is anybody who is doing the condemning is ourselves.


8. Your hands fashioned and made me; and now you turn and destroy me. 9. Remember that you fashioned me like clay; and will you turn me to dust again? 10. Did you not pour me out like milk and curdle me like cheese? 11. You clothed me with skin and flesh, and knit me together with bones and sinews.


(Book of Wisdom Chapter 10 verses 8 to 11)


Oh my, God, Job addresses a very important issue, this is that of death. You created us according to Your form, why do we need to die? For those of us who think that death is the end of all, this life has no real meaning whatsoever, however for those of us who believe in You my, God, death is then end of one phase of life and the beginning of a better one in Your presence.


12. You have granted me life and steadfast love, and your care has preserved my spirit.

(Book of Wisdom Chapter 10 verse 12)



Oh God, this is the greatest of truth that, life comes only from You. Men can produce many cells, and women can fertilize many eggs in their tubes, but if it is not Your will that life is given there will be no offspring. Moreover, I thank You for the life that You have given me even though it has become a tough challenge to take. I pray that You keep on loving and caring for me so that I will remain firm in my love for You and even my family which show me no feeling of love so that after this life on earth I will be worthy to appear before You in heaven. Amen.



13. Yet these things you hid in your heart; I know that this was your purpose. 14. If I sin, you watch me, and do not acquit me of my iniquity. 15. If I am wicked, woe to me! If I am righteous, I cannot lift up my head, for I am filled with disgrace and look upon my affliction.


(Book of Wisdom Chapter 10 verses 13 to 15)


Oh God as much I wish and aim to be considered as being a good person, I have a particular sin that You know of that is acting against me all the time. I offer You this sin, oh God my Father, for although I do my best to go against my human carnal self I am still experiencing difficulty. I believe oh God that with Your help anything is possible. Amen.


16. Bold as a lion you hunt me; you repeat your exploits against me. 17. You renew your witnesses against me, and increase your vexation toward me; you bring fresh troops against me.


(Book of Wisdom Chapter 10 verse 16)


Oh God instead of sending Your troops against us You protect us by the power of Your Holy Spirit, nonetheless, we cannot avoid experiencing the trials of our life, for these are the tests that we are to be assessed by in our spiritual formation, so that we can be ready to appear before You when You call us.


17. You renew your witnesses against me, and increase your vexation toward me; you bring fresh troops against me.


(Book of Wisdom Chapter 10 verse 17)


Oh God and my Father, in truth You do not need witnesses against me, for You are with me everywhere I am and are aware of everything I do, even before I do such a thing whether it is good or bad. You do your best to make me aware of the sins that I am about to commit but, in the end, the choice is mine! Amen, I thank You for being a God of love and not of hate Amen. Blessed be Your name forever.


18. "Why did you bring me forth from the womb? Would that I had died before any eye had seen me, 19. and were as though I had not been, carried from the womb to the grave.


(Book of Wisdom Chapter 10 verses 18 to 19)


Oh God, this is a very popular question in the sense that many of us address this question to You especially during moments of crisis. However Your reply is that You gave us life instead of death because in all the clouds of the situation You have made a plan leading to our success in life, leading to a better future, that even though may or may not hold great successes according to the standards of the world we will experience a great leap in our relationship with You my, God and Father. God may be preparing a mission for you that if you committed suicide may have been lost because nobody can do this mission better than you because God had planned it for you to accomplish. Therefore instead of asking God why am I still alive, it is better to ask Him oh God what do You want me to do for You or others, I am willing to do what You ask me to do. I am Your man or Your woman, the perfect person for the job Amen.


20. Are not the days of my life few? let me alone, that I may find a little comfort 21. before I go never to return to the land of gloom and deep darkness, 22. the land of gloom and chaos, where light is like darkness."


(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 10 verses 20 to 22)


Oh God, my Father we may never know the days that You have given us to live. Some people say life is short, but this depends on which life they are referring to do if it is that we live on earth, or that which we will live in our heavenly home in Your presence.


Oh God I would like to end this chapter with the following prayer:


Oh God during this time of mourning during which we remember that important event of events that of Your holy passion, I would also like to offer a prayer for those who have recently experienced the death of a loved one, be it a human or even a pet for both leave a feeling of loss in us. I also pray for those who have given up on life or are on the verge of doing so. God loves You!  Even though You may feel alone and defeated by the situation God is with you. Amen

Book of Job Chapter 11

Book of  Job 

Chapter

 11

1. Then Zophar the Naamathite answered: 2. "Should a multitude of words go unanswered, and should one full of talk be vindicated? 3. Should your babble put others to silence, and when you mock, shall no one shame you?

(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 11 verses 1 to 3)

Oh God my Father even during our times there are many who are trying to mock Your name, by their political views, or by spreading a reality that is totally contrary to Your teachings by promising us a heaven on earth that can never be. However as Roman Catholics and even Christians, we are to rise up in a spirit of unity and proclaim the truth so much that these false voices will be silenced. However, another way by which such voices can be silenced is, by the way, we live our daily lives and the decisions that we make, based on Your Will and the message of the 'Good News' and not according to the ways of the world. Amen.



4. For you say, 'My conduct is pure, and I am clean in God's sight.' 5. But O that God would speak and open his lips to you, 6. and that he would tell you the secrets of wisdom! For wisdom is many-sided. Know then that God exacts of you less than your guilt deserves.


(Book of  Wisdom Job Chapter 11 verses 4 to 6)


Oh God my Father many times we consider ourselves as being pure and righteous, however in truth we are not as good as we think we are. It is only by means of you my God that we are able to become fully aware of our real self, meaning both the positive aspect and even the not so positive. This is a form of wisdom that  the world cannot give because nobody knows our real self because there are always areas of ourselves that we are not fully aware of. However even though as humans we are guilty of our sins You are so merciful that You decrease the degree of our guilt, but at times, we remain accusing and not forgiving ourselves for the rest of our lives.



7. "Can you find out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limit of the Almighty?


(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 11 verse 7)




Oh God no matter how much we meddle in philosophical and scientific enquiry we can never unravel the mysteries concerning You such as that of the Holy Trinity. We can never know what You are thinking or why particular events happened to that person or even to ourselves.



8. It is higher than heaven-what can you do? Deeper than Sheol-what can you know? 9. Its measure is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea. 10. If he passes through, and imprisons and assembles for judgment, who can hinder him? 11. For he knows those who are worthless; when he sees iniquity, will he not consider it?


(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 11 verses 8 to 11)


Oh God, there is nobody like You. Your wisdom is infinite as is Your love and justice. You never turn Your back or face on anybody who is in need or is in trouble. Either directly or indirectly by means of us, You answer our pleas especially if we are in deep trouble pain or anguish as were Your people when in Egypt. Amen.



12. But a stupid person will get understanding, when a wild ass is born human.


(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 11 verse 12)


Oh God according to the given example a stupid person may never gain understanding, however even to the person who appears to be stupid, You can make that person a professor Amen.



13. "If you direct heart rightly, you will stretch out your hands toward him.


(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 11 verse 13)


Oh God if we are on the right track, following Your ways we cannot fail to experience You in our daily lives, for You are closer to us than our own skin and bone. You speak to me in many ways by means of my conscience, Your message of hope that you give me every day when meditating on Your Good News and even by events that take place for my own good. I thank You for being so close to me and forgive me when I still commit sins, even though You are so close. Amen.



14. If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away, and do not let wickedness reside in your tents. 15. Surely then you will lift up your face without blemish; you will be secure, and will not fear.


(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 11 verses 14 to15)


If you have access to alcohol which may be your weak point or pornography block the sites on Your browser or put Youtube on safe mode and forget the password so that you can never reverse it. Put a lock on the cupboard where you store your alcohol and throw away the key, anything to keep you and me from falling into that particular  sin again Amen



16. You will forget your misery, you will remember it as waters that have passed away. 17. And your life will be brighter than the noonday; its darkness will be like the morning. 18. And you will have confidence, because there is hope; you will be protected and take your rest in safety. 19. 19. You will lie down, and no one will make you afraid: many will entreat your favor. 20. But the eyes of the wicked will fail; and all way of escape will be lost to them, and their hope is to breathe their last."


(Books of Wisdom Job Chapter 11 verses 16 to 20)



Oh God what a perfect description of the outcome of those of us who place our trust in You my God and Father. You wish that we let go of our past hurts and maybe abuses and let the murky waters flow away in the river of life so that fresh new waters of life in the Holy Spirit can move in and take its place. When doing so our lives will change because now our lives are renewed or updated in Your Spirit. It is not my sinful self that is alive even though in the flesh people see me, but it is the power of the Holy Spirit is that dwells in my being. Indeed, this message brings with it new hope and a new fervor for life and thus greatly boosts our confidence, and even though the enemy may confront us from all sides we will remain untouched for we are living in God's confidence empowered by the power of the Holy Spirit of God. Amen.



I would like to end this chapter with the following prayer:-



Oh God, I pray that I also learn to place my total trust in You! If I were to base my self-esteem on the feedback I get from human beings I can consider myself as being a total failure in life. However every time I experience a stab in the back from those around me, every time I am negatively criticized You renew my spirit and give new life to me. I thank You again and again my God and Father in You only do I place my trust Amen.