30th October 2025

30th October 2025


Pray (ACts) 


Read (Job 13) 


Message (Scott Woodburn) 


Job freely admitted that the Lord was beyond all understanding but even so he longed to speak with God (v3). His friends had fallen short in their efforts to see their friend restored which caused Job to  describe them as “worthless physicians” who had given no help to their patient (v4). They had attempted to whitewash the situation with lies (v4) speaking deceitfully for God in the process (v7). Job compared the wisdom of his friends to fragile ashes and clay (v12). Would Job’s friends not just be silent (v5)? Would they not be terrified by God and stop speaking (v11)?


Job wanted their silence because he wanted to speak and be heard (v13). Yet he didn’t want the ear of his friends, his desire was to speak to God Himself (v17). What did Job ask of the Lord? Two things. Firstly, that the Lord wouldn’t remove His hand from Job’s life and secondly, that Job wouldn’t shrink back in fear from Almighty God (v21). That’s an interesting prayer isn't it? It combines a desire for relationship with a holy fear. Effectively Job cries “Lord, please don’t leave me and may I not be terrified by your presence.” Job promised that he would answer God if the Lord called or perhaps the Lord would reply after Job had spoken (v22).


What did Job want to know and discuss? In a word “Why?” “How many are my sins?” asked Job (v23). “Why do you hide your face from me?” he cried (v24). Job wanted answers which went far beyond “bad things happen to bad people” He felt like a prisoner whose feet were in stocks and like a rotten moth-eaten garment (v28). Job was in despair and he longed to hear God’s voice. Nevertheless, Job despite his agony remained a man of faith. Blessed assurance met with his broken heart. He was sure that the godless would not see God (v16) but when his own case was heard he would be vindicated (v18).


The book of Job causes us to wrestle with God’s sovereignty and human suffering. It is a book which contains mystery and verses which even the experts struggle to interpret. But there are also numerous examples of soaring faith to fire our weary hearts. In the midst of his pleading Job declared “Though he slay me, I will hope in him” (v15). Isn’t that awesome? Job longed for answers and to see God’s face but even in the absence of such things he was still able to declare “whatever happens, I trust in the Lord.”


I’m reminded of three young men whose lives were about to come to an end at the hand of a wicked king. They were far from home and strangers in a hostile land. Nevertheless, they refused to bend the knee to a false idol and were about to be thrown into a fire. Their response? “If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” (Daniel 3v17-18)


Oh for such a faith! Brothers and sisters, may our faith be proved true in the fire and the storm. No matter what comes, I choose to believe!


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC


Q6 How many persons are there in the Godhead?
There are three persons in the Godhead; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; and these three are one God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory.
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