ESOCS Devotional 11 November 2025 – Man’s Life in Phases
MEMORY VERSE: “So man wastes away like something rotten, like a garment eaten by moths.” Job 13:28
TEXT: JOB 13:13-28
“Hold your peace with me, and let me speak,
Then let come on me what may!
14 Why do I take my flesh in my teeth,
And put my life in my hands?
15 Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.
Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him.
16 He also shall be my salvation,
For a hypocrite could not come before Him.
17 Listen carefully to my speech,
And to my declaration with your ears.
18 See now, I have prepared my case,
I know that I shall be vindicated.
19 Who is he who will contend with me?
If now I hold my tongue, I perish.
20 “Only two things do not do to me,
Then I will not hide myself from You:
21 Withdraw Your hand far from me,
And let not the dread of You make me afraid.
22 Then call, and I will answer;
Or let me speak, then You respond to me.
23 How many are my iniquities and sins?
Make me know my transgression and my sin.
24 Why do You hide Your face,
And regard me as Your enemy?
25 Will You frighten a leaf driven to and fro?
And will You pursue dry stubble?
26 For You write bitter things against me,
And make me inherit the iniquities of my youth.
27 You put my feet in the stocks,
And watch closely all my paths.
You set a limit for the soles of my feet.
28 “Man decays like a rotten thing,
Like a garment that is moth-eaten.
Read Other ESOCS Devotional Here
The primary philosophy of Job’s friends has been that God punishes the wicked and rewards the righteous. Job has argued his innocence with his friends, but he seems to agree with their basic premise. Job’s complaint is that God is punishing him when, in his mind, he has earned reward by living a righteous life. He essentially accuses God of being unjust, since he has done nothing to deserve such punishment.
A prevalent message in our culture is the idea that God will grant you all your hopes and dreams if you have enough faith and righteousness. Preachers fill stadiums with the message that faith in God brings health, wealth, & prosperity. There’s only one problem: That is not the message of the Bible! Job is commended as a man of great faith (Job 1:8; Job 42:7), yet he suffered some of the greatest tragedies imaginable. Many faithful followers of God endured suffering and painful deaths in the New Testament. Of the eleven faithful apostles, church history tells us that ten were put to death for their faith. The eleventh (John) was tortured and eventually died in exile.
We are not entitled to a comfortable life of luxury, nor have we earned it. When we face suffering, we must not let a spirit of entitlement cause us to resent God. There are times that we will face suffering without knowing why. God does not promise us that we will never suffer, but He does promise to comfort us in our suffering (2 Cor. 1:3-5). Instead of accusing God of injustice, seek to trust God in the storm.
The Big Question: Do you feel that you have earned your blessings from God or that your sufferings are punishments from God? If greater faith leads to greater comfort and material blessings, why did God allow the apostles, early Christians and many faithful Christians throughout the ages to be persecuted, punished and often martyred?
Conclude your time in prayer and silence, reflecting on God’s Word.
CHALLENGES
- Understand that undue comfort zone sometimes makes many Christians slide away from heaven’s way. Sometimes, we need trials and temptations to keep fit for the Kingdom race.
PRAYER POINT
- Father, help me to always see you in all situations of life. Amen.
FURTHER READING: Job 15:1-26; 2 Timothy 2:1-26
ESOCS Devotional 11 November 2025
