“After the Lord had finished speaking to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite: “I am angry with you and your two friends, for you have not spoken accurately about me, as my servant Job has. 8 So take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and offer a burnt offering for yourselves. My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer on your behalf. I will not treat you as you deserve, for you have not spoken accurately about me, as my servant Job has.” 9 So Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite did as the Lord commanded them, and the Lord accepted Job’s prayer. 10 When Job prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes. In fact, the Lord gave him twice as much as before! 11 Then all his brothers, sisters, and former friends came and feasted with him in his home.” Job 42:7-11 NLT
Father God,
You led Jobs friends to acts of repentance and saying sorry. You led them all away from a wrong theology of only the wicked suffer, and turned them from their judgement and unforgiveness. Even Jobs brothers and sisters, who never came near or showed compassion, feel welcomed to his feasts.
And when Job stopped playing God and judging his friends, You God, took over and rebuked them. Job forgave them and bore no resentment, annoyance or anger. Help us to let go of unforgiveness and let You deal with others sin. We remember what it cost You to forgive us at the cross. Help us to say sorry when we need to. As Paul writes in Colossians, “Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” (3:13).
We know that it does not mean we will become rich or have everything restored. But we will be restored to a right relationship with You. Sometimes forgiveness costs us dearly and sometimes we need to move out of danger as we forgive. But we know You will take over and judge and we will find peace and rest for our souls. (Matthew 11:29)
In Jesus name we pray, Amen
Worship Friday 30th January 2025
So simple, so profound, so true . . .
Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea
A great High Priest whose name is love
Who ever lives and pleads for me
My name is graven on His hands
My name is written on His heart
I know that while in heav’n He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart
No tongue can bid me thence depart
When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end to all my sin
Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free
For God the Just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me
To look on Him and pardon me
Behold Him there, the risen Lamb
My perfect, spotless Righteousness
The great unchangeable I Am
The King of glory and of grace
One with Himself, I cannot die
My soul is purchased by His blood
My life is hid with Christ on high
With Christ my Savior and my God
Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea
A great High Priest whose name is love
Who ever lives and pleads for me
Lyrics: Charitie Lees Bancroft 1863
Revived with new arrangement by Vikki Cook 1997