ESOCS Devotional 5 November 2025 – When Things Don’t Work Out As Expected
MEMORY VERSE: “If thou wert pure and upright; surely now he would awake for thee, and make the habitation of thy righteousness prosperous.” Job 8:6
TEXT: JOB 8:1-10
Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said,
2 How long wilt thou speak these things? and how long shall the words of thy mouth be like a strong wind?
3 Doth God pervert judgment? or doth the Almighty pervert justice?
4 If thy children have sinned against him, and he have cast them away for their transgression;
5 If thou wouldest seek unto God betimes, and make thy supplication to the Almighty;
6 If thou wert pure and upright; surely now he would awake for thee, and make the habitation of thy righteousness prosperous.
7 Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase.
8 For enquire, I pray thee, of the former age, and prepare thyself to the search of their fathers:
9 (For we are but of yesterday, and know nothing, because our days upon earth are a shadow:)
10 Shall not they teach thee, and tell thee, and utter words out of their heart?
Read Other ESOCS Devotional Here
Making assumptions can quickly ruin the trust built up in long-term friendships. These speculations lead us to make wrong conclusions, resulting in hurtful words. Let’s see how Bildad was vulnerable to a misconception that spoiled his friendship with Job. More likely than not, you have experienced such pain. “I didn’t expect that!” Bildad’s assumptions influenced his attempt to expose Job’s sins in chapter 8. His argument centres on timing. Bildad assumes that God would have restored him if there was actual innocence with Job or his children. Look what Bildad says: “If you are pure and upright, surely now He would rouse Himself for you and restore your righteous estate” (Job 8:6).
Is this true? Does God always immediately restore those unjustly accused, robbed, hurt or otherwise ruined? I think many of us can see the problem with Bildad’s assumption. The issue is not with restoration. God will ultimately restore the righteous; God is just; it’s His duty to do so. But Bildad assumed that the restoration of the righteous, if indeed Job and his sons were righteous, would happen right away.
When we read the end of the Book of Job, we find that God restores Job and Bildad apologizes (Job 42:7-17). We need to allow for delays in correcting the unjust treatment of the righteous on earth. True, it’s not fair – by human reasoning. Correct, that’s why we call it unfair. God cares, but we should not conclude that the restoration is immediate. The Bible is filled with persecuted characters, including Jesus. But often, things are difficult for a while. Bad things can happen to the godly. It did with Job, and it happens again and again in this sin-infested world. God eventually restored Job (Job 42). But God did it in His timing. In other words, we must soften our demands for God to help our loved ones or us; we must be patient. God often, as in Job’s situation, delays restoration.
Bildad was wrong to judge Job’s guilt from his tragic circumstances. Instead of blindly judging a person who faces extreme difficulty, we need to step back and carefully assess the possibilities. For example, Jesus suffered unjustly and only found His reward true restoration after His death. While God will judge the unrighteous, complete judgment does not occur in this era nor does restoration. God is returning for judgment and awarding the righteous. NOTE: Accusation and deception are the specialties of the evil one. We discover this in the Bible as early as Genesis 3. The Book of Job greatly expands this, don’t be a victim!
CHALLENGES
- In all circumstances, be patient with the Lord. He will heal your wounds at the right time.
PRAYER POINT
- Lord Jesus, help me to be patient with you and never to use my words wrongly.
FURTHER READING: Job 8:11-22; 2 Thessalonians 1:1-End; 2:1-End
ESOCS Devotional 5 November 2025
