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LENT BOOKLET 2015

A Journey Through Lent

With Job

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Welcome to this years Lent booklet

Aims: The aim of this booklet is twofold insomuch as it is

intended as an encouragement to us to read one of the more well known books of the Old Testament and yet per-

haps one of the least read. Within its pages however are many gems that are especially suitable for a Lenten jour-

ney.

The booklet asks us to read one chapter a day but if there are time constraints reading “The Story” and the

“Highlights” sections should be enough to set you think-ing. If you are able to read the whole chapter then these

sections provide a particular focus.

The “Quotations” are by various people and have been

chosen to link with the reading and are there to guide our thinking and occasionally help us to look at things from an

alternative point of view.

Lent is a season of introspection when we are asked to ex-amine our inner most thoughts. “Cause for thought” is

included as an aid to help us do this and is intended to make us think more deeply about our motives and inten-

tions during Lent and beyond.

The “Pray for” section provides a topic for our prayers and the focus varies from ourselves to others.

My prayer is that you will find this booklet a worthwhile

help during your Lenten Journey.

God Bless

Revd. Michael

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Ash Wednesday

The Story: Job a wealthy man, subject to a satanic attack

Bible Reading: Job Chapter 1:

Highlights:

Job and His Family: There was once a man in the land of Uz

whose name was Job. That man was blameless and upright,

one who feared God and turned away from evil. There were

born to him seven sons and three daughters.

Attack on Job’s Character: 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.”

The LORD said to Satan, “Very well, all that he has is in your

power; only do not stretch out your hand against him!” So Sa-

tan went out from the presence of the LORD.

Job Loses Property and Children: While he was still speak-

ing, another came and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house, and

suddenly a great wind came across the desert, struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people, and they are dead.

In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrongdoing.

Quotation: If you think about disaster, you will get it. Brood about death and you hasten your demise. Think positively and masterfully, with confidence and faith, and life becomes more

secure, more fraught with action, richer in achievement and ex-perience.” Swami Vivekananda

Cause for Thought: How do you cope when disaster strikes?

Pray for: Those who have fallen on difficult times.

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Thursday Week 1

The Story: Having lost his property and his children Job is

about to lose his health.

Bible Reading: Job Chapter 2

Highlights

Attack on Job’s Health So Satan[i]went out from the pres-ence of the LORD, and inflicted loathsome sores on Job from the

sole of his foot to the crown of his head Job took a potsherd

with which to scrape himself, and sat among the ashes.

Then his wife said to him, “Do you still persist in your integrity? Curse[ God, and die.” 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’s Three Friends: Now when Job’s three friends heard of

all these troubles that had come upon him, each of them set

out from his home. 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.

Quotation: “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.”

― Corrie ten Boom Cause for thought: How do you cope when faced with the ill-

ness of close friends and family?

Pray for: Those you know who are suffering in body, mind or spirit.

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Friday Week 1

The Story: Job regrets ever having been born, nevertheless

having lost everything he still did not blame God.

Bible Reading: Job Chapter 3

Highlights:

Job Curses the Day He was Born: “Why is light given to one in misery, and life to the bitter in soul, who long for death but it does not

come. and dig for it more than for hidden treasures; who re-joice exceedingly and are glad when they find the grave? Why

is light given to one who cannot see the way whom God has fenced in? For my sighing comes like my bread, and my groan-ings are poured out like water. Truly the thing that I fear comes

upon me and what I dread befalls me. I am not at ease nor am I quiet I have no rest; but trouble comes.”

Quotation: “Sinful heart blames.” ― Toba Beta Cause for thought: Think of a time when you have been

brought to the brink of despair, and ask where God was at the time.

Pray for: Those brought low by the traumas of life.

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Saturday Week 1

The Story: Job’s speech has upset Eliphaz. He knows Job is a

righteous man and cannot understand why he is suffering so. The only explanation is that Job has sinned.

Bible Reading: Job Chapter 4

Highlights:

Eliphaz Speaks: Job Has Sinned? (My question mark)

A spirit glided past my face;

the hair of my flesh bristled. It stood still

but I could not discern its appearance.

A form was before my eyes;

there was silence, then I heard a voice: Can mortals be right-

eous before God?

Can human beings be pure before their Maker? Even in his

servants he puts no trust,

and his angels he charges with error; How much more those

who live in houses of clay,

whose foundation is in the dust,

who are crushed like a moth.

Quotation: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of

God” St. Paul

Cause for thought: Lent is a time of bringing to light those things we have kept hidden in darkness. How are you doing so far?

Pray for: Help in resisting the temptation to jump to conclu-

sions about others.

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Monday Week 2

The Story: Eliphaz knows God is good and is confident Job will

get an answer if he turns to him.

Bible Reading: Job Chapter 5 Highlights:

Job Is Corrected by God

“As for me, I would seek God,

and to God I would commit my cause. He does great things and

unsearchable marvellous things without number. He gives rain

on the earth and sends waters on the fields; He sets on high

those who are lowly. and those who mourn are lifted to safety.

He frustrates the devices of the crafty, so that their hands

achieve no success. He takes the wise in their own craftiness;

and the schemes of the wily are brought to a quick end.

Quotation:“People that have trust issues only need to look in

the mirror. There they will meet the one person that will betray them the most.”

― Shannon L. Alder Cause for thought: Do you trust God enough to accept that

he knows your inner most thoughts?

Pray for: The confidence to be totally honest with God.

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Tuesday Week 2

The Story: Job does not know that the Devil is behind his suf-

fering and neither do his friends consequently they are unable to help. Other friends have already deserted him.

Bible Reading: Job Chapter 6

Highlights Job Responds

“Those who withhold kindness from a friend

forsake the fear of the Almighty. My companions are treacher-

ous like a torrent bed, like freshets that pass away, that run

dark with ice. turbid with melting snow. in time of heat they

disappear, when it is hot, they vanish from their place. The car-

avans turn away from their cours

they go up into the waste, and perish. The caravans of Tema

look the travellers of Sheba hope. They are disappointed be-

cause they were confident they come there and are confound-

ed.

Quotation: A best friend is the only one that walks into your life when the world has walked out.”

― Shannon L. Alder

Cause for thought: Have you ever let down a friend in need or been let down by one in your own time of trial. If so how did that feel?

Pray for: The opportunity to be a “Best Friend” to someone.

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Wednesday Week 2

The Story: Job can see no end to his suffering. He could see no

reward for his good deeds. He wrongly assumed that death was the end. Job thought God had caused his troubles but he was

wrong. Bible Reading: Job Chapter 7

Highlights

Suffering without End

“Remember that my life is a breath;

my eye will never again see good. The eye that beholds me will see me no more while your eyes are upon me, I shall be gone. As the cloud

fades and vanishes. so those who go down to Sheol do not come up; they return no more to their homes nor do their plac-

es know them any more. Quotation: “Illness is the night side of life, a more onerous cit-

izenship. Everyone who is born holds dual citizenship, in the kingdom of the well and in the kingdom of the sick. Although

we all prefer to use the good passport, sooner or later each of us is obliged, at least for a spell, to identify ourselves as citi-zens of that other place.”

― Susan Sontag, Illness as Metaphor

Cause for thought: Illness befalls us all at some time in our lives, that, however, is not the point of concern, it is how we deal with it that matters.

Pray for: The wisdom “to meet with triumph and disaster and

treat those two imposters just the same”. Kipling

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Thursday Week 2

The Story: Bildad, the second of Job’s friends, advises him to

pray he is sure of God’s goodness but his words do not bring relief to Job.

Bible Reading: Job Chapter 8

Highlights

Bildad Speaks If you will seek God and make supplication to the Almighty,

if you are pure and upright, surely then he will rouse himself for you

and restore to you your rightful place. Though your beginning was small, your latter days will be very great.

Quotation: “Men are never convinced of your reasons, of your

sincerity, of the seriousness of your sufferings, except by your death. So long as you are alive, your case is doubtful; you have

a right only to their skepticism.” ― Albert Camus, The Fall

Cause for thought: Bildad offers Job good advice on this occa-sion but can we honestly say that our first port of call when suf-

fering comes is to approach God in prayer?

Pray for: The recognition that prayer is the most potent medi-

cine regardless of what kind of suffering we may be experienc-

ing.

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Friday Week 2

The Story: Job realises that God is the greatest judge and

wants to explain his problems to him but he did not know what to say. Job doesn’t realise that God cares about him.

Bible Reading: Job Chapter 9

Highlights You Cannot Argue With God

“God will not turn back his anger;

the helpers of Rahab bowed beneath him. 14 How then can I answer him, choosing my words with him?

15 Though I am innocent, I cannot answer him; I must appeal for mercy to my accuser.

16 If I summoned him and he answered me, I do not believe that he would listen to my voice. 17 For he crushes me with a tempest,

and multiplies my wounds without cause; 18 he will not let me get my breath,

but fills me with bitterness. 19 If it is a contest of strength, he is the strong one! If it is a matter of justice, who can summon him?[

Quotation:“If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.”

― C.S. Lewis

Cause for thought: When you can’t find the right words to say to God are you content just to be in his presence and allow Je-sus to intercede for you?

Pray that: Jesus knowing your every need will intercede for

you when your own words fail to come.

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Saturday Week 2

The story: Job begins to question why God would cause him to

suffer.

Bible Reading: Job Chapter 10 Highlights

We are wonderfully made

You clothed me with skin and flesh, and knit me together with bones and sinews.

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

Quotation: “We are not necessarily doubting that God will do

the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be.”

― C.S. Lewis Cause for thought: We sometimes have to accept that we live

in an unfair world. How do you deal with that idea?

Pray for: The willingness to accept that sometimes good peo-ple suffer and bad people seem to sail through life without a care.

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Monday Week 3

The Story: Zophar doubts Job’s goodness, he is convinced that

God is good so the only explanation is that Job is not and he advises him accordingly.

Bible Reading: Job Chapter 11

Highlights Zophar tells Job to put away his iniquity

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

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. 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 You will lie down, and no one will make you afraid; many will entreat your favour. 20 But the eyes of the wicked will fail;

all way of escape will be lost to them, and their hope is to breathe their last.”

Quotation: “My imperfections and failures are as much a

blessing from God as my successes and my talents and I lay them both at his feet.” Mahatma Gandhi

Cause for thought: Are you able to see your limitations and

failures as much a blessing as your successes?

Pray for: The ability to see good in all things.

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Tuesday Week 3

The Story: Job remains unimpressed by his friend’s advice and recognises that he is just as likely to be right.

Bible Reading: Job Chapter 12

Highlights Then Job answered:

2 “No doubt you are the people, and wisdom will die with you.

3 But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you.

Who does not know such things as these? 4 I am a laughingstock to my friends; I, who called upon God and he answered me,

a just and blameless man, I am a laughingstock. 5 Those at ease have contempt for misfortune,

but it is ready for those whose feet are unstable. 6 The tents of robbers are at peace, and those who provoke God are secure,

who bring their god in their hands.

Quotation: “Each patient carries his own doctor inside him.” ― Norman Cousins, Anatomy of an Illness

Cause for thought Do you sometimes do yourself an injustice by putting the ideas of others before your own?

Pray for: A better understanding of your own gifts and quali-

ties.

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Wednesday Week 3

The Story: Job rejects his friends advice and then prays to

God. Bible Reading: Job Chapter 13

Highlights

Job’s rejects his friends advice Look, my eye has seen all this,

my ear has heard and understood it.

2 What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you.

3 But I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to argue my case with God. 4 As for you, you whitewash with lies;

all of you are worthless physicians. 5 If you would only keep silent,

that would be your wisdom!

Job’s Prayer

Only grant two things to me,

then I will not hide myself from your face: 21 withdraw your hand far from me,

and do not let dread of you terrify me. 22 Then call, and I will answer; or let me speak, and you reply to me.

Quotation: “Every sickness has an alien quality, a feeling of

invasion and loss of control that is evident in the language we use about it.” ― Siri Hustvedt, The Shaking Woman, or A History of My

Nerves Cause for thought: Do you always know when to speak and

when to keep quiet?

Pray for: The wisdom to remain silent when you have nothing of value to say.

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Thursday Week 3

The Story: Job continues to pray and starts to have a new

hope for his future. He asks God if a dead man can live again. Bible Reading: Job Chapter 14

Highlights

“A mortal, born of woman, few of days and full of trouble, 2 comes up like a flower and withers, flees like a shadow and does not last.

3 Do you fix your eyes on such a one? Do you bring me into judgment with you?

4 Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? No one can. 5 Since their days are determined,

and the number of their months is known to you, and you have appointed the bounds that they cannot pass, “For there is hope for a tree,

if it is cut down, that it will sprout again, and that its shoots will not cease. 8 Though its root grows old in the earth,

and its stump dies in the ground, 9 yet at the scent of water it will bud

and put forth branches like a young plant. 10 But mortals die, and are laid low; humans expire, and where are they?

Quotation: “You are not your illness. You have an individual

story to tell. You have a name, a history, a personality. Staying yourself is part of the battle.” ― Julian Seifter

Cause for thought: Have you ever let an illness or situation

define who you are?

Pray for: Hope in all situations of suffering.

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Friday Week 3

The Story: Eliphaz speaks again and refutes Job’s assertion

that sometimes good people can suffer and there is perhaps no explanation.

Bible Reading: Job Chapter 15

Highlights ..because they have covered their faces with their fat, and gathered fat upon their loins,

28 they will live in desolate cities, in houses that no one should inhabit,

houses destined to become heaps of ruins; 29 they will not be rich, and their wealth will not endure, nor will they strike root in the earth;

30 they will not escape from darkness; the flame will dry up their shoots,

and their blossom will be swept away by the wind. 31 Let them not trust in emptiness, deceiving themselves;

for emptiness will be their recompense. 32 It will be paid in full before their time, and their branch will not be green.

33 They will shake off their unripe grape, like the vine, and cast off their blossoms, like the olive tree.

34 For the company of the godless is barren, and fire consumes the tents of bribery. 35 They conceive mischief and bring forth evil

and their heart prepares deceit.”

Quotation: “Without knowing the cause of illness, any treat-ment must be considered a guess.” ― Richard Diaz

Cause for thought: Do you need to have an explanation for everything that happens or are you content to accept some

things happen for no reason at all?

Pray for: An open mind regardless of the situation you might find yourself in.

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Saturday Week 3

The Story: Job is fed up with his friends platitudes and the as-

sertion that he has brought his troubles on himself and answers back.

Bible Reading: Job Chapter 16

Highlights: Then Job answered:

2 “I have heard many such things;

miserable comforters are you all. 3 Have windy words no limit? Or what provokes you that you keep on talking?

4 I also could talk as you do, if you were in my place;

I could join words together against you, and shake my head at you. 5 I could encourage you with my mouth,

and the solace of my lips would assuage your pain.

Quotation: “True regret is knowing you missed your only op-

portunity to be simply a good friend to someone that was ex-

actly like you.” ― Shannon L. Alder Cause for thought: Job’s friends had tried to comfort Job but without knowing all the facts and consequently had done more

harm than good. Do you always make sure that you know all the facts before offering advice?

Pray that: You might be a true friend to others bringing com-

fort as and when it is needed.

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Monday Week 4

The Story: Job thinks he is dying. His friends are with him,

but they do not bring him comfort instead they accuse him of doing evil things.

Bible Reading: Job Chapter 17

Highlights:

My spirit is broken, my days are extinct, the grave is ready for me.

Surely there are mockers around me, and my eye dwells on their provocation.

“He has made me a byword of the peoples, and I am one before whom people spit.

My eye has grown dim from grief, and all my members are like a shadow.

Quotation: “Regaining health is more difficult an objective

then becoming ill. Becoming ill is a random act of ignorance and regaining health is an intentional effort in frustration.”

― Richard Diaz Cause for thought: Have you ever been called to minister to

those who have lost all hope? If so from where did you get the ability to do so?

Pray for: Those who have lost all hope of ever returning to full health again and those who minister to them.

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Tuesday Week 4

The Story: The wicked man tries to make trouble for other

people; but only causes trouble for himself.

Bible Reading: Job Chapter 18

Highlights:

“Surely the light of the wicked is put out, and the flame of their fire does not shine.

6 The light is dark in their tent, and the lamp above them is put out. 7 Their strong steps are shortened,

and their own schemes throw them down. 8 For they are thrust into a net by their own feet,

and they walk into a pitfall. 9 A trap seizes them by the heel; a snare lays hold of them.

Quotation: “Nothing is easier than to denounce the evildoer;

nothing is more difficult than to understand him.” ― Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Cause for thought: Have you ever been the victim of the evil intent of others? If so how did that make you feel?

Pray for: Those who are captive to the wickedness in their hearts that they will be set free by the grace of God.

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Wednesday Week 4

The Story: Job wants the fact that he is innocent recording for

posterity.

Bible Reading: Job Chapter 19

Highlights:

“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! 25 For I know that my Redeemer lives,

and that at the last he[c] 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! 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 judgment.”

Quotation: “Most people do not listen with the intent to un-

derstand; they listen with the intent to reply.” ― Stephen R. Covey, Cause for thought: We all have a need to be heard and our point of view taken seriously. How good are you at listening to

the point of view of others?

Pray for: The ability to be a better listener and that you

are able to give what you hear its true worth.

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Thursday Week 4 The Story: A mans evil deeds are like sweet tasting poison

they might seem good at the time but they lead to disaster.

Bible Reading: Job Chapter 20 Highlights:

“Though wickedness is sweet in their mouth,

though they hide it under their tongues, 13 though they are loath to let it go, and hold it in their mouths,

14 yet their food is turned in their stomachs; it is the venom of asps within them.

15 They swallow down riches and vomit them up again; God casts them out of their bellies. 16 They will suck the poison of asps;

the tongue of a viper will kill them. 17 They will not look on the rivers,

the streams flowing with honey and curds. 18 They will give back the fruit of their toil, and will not swallow it down;

from the profit of their trading they will get no enjoyment.

19 For they have crushed and abandoned the poor, they have seized a house that they did not build.

Quotation: “There is a charm about the forbidden that makes

it unspeakably desirable.” ― Mark Twain Cause for thought: Have you ever given in to the temptation

to do something you know to be wrong and suffered the conse-quences? What did you learn from the experience?

Pray for: The ability to resist temptation.

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Friday Week 4

The Story: Job recognises that it often seems as if the wicked

prosper whilst the good suffer.

Bible Reading: Job Chapter 21

Highlights:

7 Why do the wicked live on, reach old age, and grow mighty in power?

8 Their children are established in their presence, and their offspring before their eyes. 9 Their houses are safe from fear,

and no rod of God is upon them. 10 Their bull breeds without fail;

their cow calves and never miscarries. 11 They send out their little ones like a flock, and their children dance around.

12 They sing to the tambourine and the lyre, and rejoice to the sound of the pipe.

13 They spend their days in prosperity, and in peace they go down to Sheol. 14 They say to God, ‘Leave us alone!

We do not desire to know your ways. 15 What is the Almighty,[a] that we should serve him?

And what profit do we get if we pray to him?’ 16 Is not their prosperity indeed their own achievement?[b] The plans of the wicked are repugnant to me.

Quotation:“Resentment is like drinking poison and waiting for

the other person to die. ” Carrie Fisher

Cause for thought: Do you ever look at others and envy what they have especially if you think they don’t deserve it?

Pray for: The willingness to be content with what God has giv-

en us.

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Saturday Week 4 The Story: Eliphaz accuses Job of having sinned and says this

is why he is suffering, but he is wrong, Job is innocent.

Bible Reading: Job Chapter 22

Highlights:

Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered: 2 “Can a mortal be of use to God? Can even the wisest be of service to him?

3 Is it any pleasure to the Almighty[a] if you are righteous, or is it gain to him if you make your ways blameless?

4 Is it for your piety that he reproves you, and enters into judgment with you? 5 Is not your wickedness great?

There is no end to your iniquities. 6 For you have exacted pledges from your family for no reason,

and stripped the naked of their clothing. 7 You have given no water to the weary to drink, and you have withheld bread from the hungry.

8 The powerful possess the land, and the favored live in it.

9 You have sent widows away empty-handed, and the arms of the orphans you have crushed. .

Quotation: We must learn to regard people less in the light of

what they do or omit to do, and more in the light of what they suffer.”

― Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Letters and Papers from Prison Cause for thought: If God doesn’t cause suffering, what or who has been the cause of suffering in your life?

Pray for: A greater understanding of the suffering of others.

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Monday Week 5

The Story: Job does not know where God is but God knows

where he is. Bible Reading: Job Chapter 23

Highlights: “If I go forward, he is not there; or backward, I cannot perceive him;

on the left he hides, and I cannot behold him; I turn[c] to the right, but I cannot see him.

But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I shall come out like gold. My foot has held fast to his steps;

I have kept his way and have not turned aside. I have not departed from the commandment of his lips;

I have treasured in my bosom the words of his mouth.

Quotation: He whispered, "My precious child, I love you and will never

leave you Never, ever, during your trials and testings.

When you saw only one set of footprints,

It was then that I carried you." From Footprints by Mary Stevenson

Cause for thought: Have you ever felt that God has deserted you when you needed him most, only to look back later and re-

alise he was with you all the time.

Pray for: An awareness of God’s presence with you in difficult times.

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Tuesday Week 5

The Story: There are those who prefer the darkness to the

light so they can do their evil deeds in secret.

Bible Reading: Job Chapter 24

Highlights:

“There are those who rebel against the light, who are not acquainted with its ways,

and do not stay in its paths. 14 The murderer rises at dusk to kill the poor and needy,

and in the night is like a thief. 15 The eye of the adulterer also waits for the twilight,

saying, ‘No eye will see me’; and he disguises his face. 16 In the dark they dig through houses;

by day they shut themselves up; they do not know the light.

17 For deep darkness is morning to all of them; for they are friends with the terrors of deep darkness.

Quotation: “We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the

dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.”

― Plato Cause for thought: Like the moon all of us have a dark side the question is where does our soul dwell for most of the time?

Pray for: All those who choose darkness over light.

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Wednesday Week 5

The Story: Bildad believes that God controls all things, Job

says God does many good deeds but he is much greater than we can understand.

Bible Reading: Job Chapter 25 & 26

Highlights: Then Bildad the Shuhite answered:

2 “Dominion and fear are with God;[a] he makes peace in his high heaven.

3 Is there any number to his armies? Upon whom does his light not arise? 4 How then can a mortal be righteous before God?

How can one born of woman be pure?

Job replies He has described a circle on the face of the waters,

at the boundary between light and darkness. 11 The pillars of heaven tremble, and are astounded at his rebuke.

12 By his power he stilled the Sea; by his understanding he struck down Rahab.

13 By his wind the heavens were made fair; his hand pierced the fleeing serpent. 14 These are indeed but the outskirts of his ways;

and how small a whisper do we hear of him! But the thunder of his power who can understand?”

Quotation: “Of what did Job repent? His wonder was too

small.” ― Leighton Ogg Cause for thought: Has your God ever been too small?

Pray for: Forgiveness for the times when you have behaved

as if you worship a God who is too small.

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Thursday Week 5 The Story: Job has suffered much and even though he be-

lieves God is the author of his troubles he still trusts him.

Bible Reading: Job Chapter 27

Highlights:

Job again took up his discourse and said: 2 “As God lives, who has taken away my right, and the Almighty, who has made my soul bitter,

3 as long as my breath is in me and the spirit of God is in my nostrils,

4 my lips will not speak falsehood, and my tongue will not utter deceit. 5 Far be it from me to say that you are right;

until I die I will not put away my integrity from me. 6 I hold fast my righteousness, and will not let it go;

my heart does not reproach me for any of my days.

Quotation: “When you can't see God's hand, trust His heart.” ― Emily Freeman, Making it Through the Middle

Cause for thought: Do you find it difficult to keep trusting God

during difficult times? If you do from where does your help come?

Pray for: Greater faith in God’s goodness when experiencing difficult times.

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Friday Week 5 The Story: The man is stupid who puts his trust in material

wealth rather than acquiring wisdom.

Bible Reading: Job Chapter 28

Highlights:

“But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding? 13 Mortals do not know the way to it,

and it is not found in the land of the living. 14 The deep says, ‘It is not in me,’

and the sea says, ‘It is not with me.’ 15 It cannot be gotten for gold, and silver cannot be weighed out as its price.

16 It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, in precious onyx or sapphire.

17 Gold and glass cannot equal it, nor can it be exchanged for jewels of fine gold. 18 No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal;

the price of wisdom is above pearls. 19 The chrysolite of Ethiopia cannot compare with it,

nor can it be valued in pure gold.

Quotation: “Don't Gain The World & Lose Your Soul, Wisdom Is Better Than Silver Or Gold.”

― Bob Marley

Cause for thought: Where do you look for your security, to your bank balance or to God?

Pray for: Discernment regarding where true value lies in the things of this world or of heaven.

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Saturday Week 5

The Story: There had been those who had loved Job and had

enjoyed listening to him. Bible Reading: Job Chapter 29

Highlights: “They listened to me, and waited,

and kept silence for my counsel. 22 After I spoke they did not speak again,

and my word dropped upon them like dew.[c] 23 They waited for me as for the rain; they opened their mouths as for the spring rain.

24 I smiled on them when they had no confidence; and the light of my countenance they did not extinguish.[d]

25 I chose their way, and sat as chief, and I lived like a king among his troops,

like one who comforts mourners.

Quotation:“People will walk in and walk out of your life, but

the one whose footstep made a long lasting impression is the one you should never allow to walk out.”

― Michael Bassey Johnson Cause for thought: Spend a some time counting your friends and then separate them into two lists in one put those you deem to be true friends and in the other, all the rest.

Pray for: Your true friends and thank God for them they may

be rarer than you think.

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Monday Week 6

The Story: Job did not deserve his misfortune. Good people do

not always have good lives. Bible Reading: Job Chapter 30

Highlights: “Surely one does not turn against the needy,[d]

when in disaster they cry for help.[e] 25 Did I not weep for those whose day was hard?

Was not my soul grieved for the poor? 26 But when I looked for good, evil came; and when I waited for light, darkness came.

27 My inward parts are in turmoil, and are never still; days of affliction come to meet me.

28 I go about in sunless gloom; I stand up in the assembly and cry for help.

29 I am a brother of jackals, and a companion of ostriches. 30 My skin turns black and falls from me,

and my bones burn with heat. 31 My lyre is turned to mourning,

and my pipe to the voice of those who weep.

Quotation: “Do you not see how necessary a world of pains and troubles is

to school an intelligence and make it a soul?” ― John Keats, Letters of John Keats

Cause for thought: What are the lessons you have learned through your sufferings?

Pray that: God will bring knowledge and understanding out of our suffering.

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Tuesday Week 6

The Story: Money can become a false God to many but this was not the case with Job.

Bible Reading: Job Chapter 31

Highlights:

“If I have made gold my trust, or called fine gold my confidence;

25 if I have rejoiced because my wealth was great, or because my hand had gotten much;

26 if I have looked at the sun[d] when it shone, or the moon moving in splendor, 27 and my heart has been secretly enticed,

and my mouth has kissed my hand; 28 this also would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges,

for I should have been false to God above.

Quotation: “As much money and life as you could want! The

two things most human beings would choose above all - the trouble is, humans do have a knack of choosing precisely those things that are worst for them.”

― J.K. Rowling, Cause for thought: Have you ever fallen into the trap of put-ting wealth and material things before God?

Pray for: The wisdom to recognise money and material gain for the false gods that they are.

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Wednesday Week 6 The Story: Elihu is only young but speaks only as the Holy

Spirit directs.

Bible Reading: Job Chapter 32

Highlights:

Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite answered: “I am young in years, and you are aged;

therefore I was timid and afraid to declare my opinion to you.

7 I said, ‘Let days speak, and many years teach wisdom.’ 8 But truly it is the spirit in a mortal,

the breath of the Almighty, that makes for understanding. 9 It is not the old that are wise,

nor the aged that understand what is right. 10 Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me; let me also declare my opinion.’

Quotation: “Youth is happy because it has the capacity to see

beauty. Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old.”

― Franz Kafka Cause for thought: Have you ever discounted the wisdom of others simply because of their age? Were you right to do so?

Pray for: The ability to recognise wisdom in people of all ages.

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Thursday Week 6

The Story: Contrary to what Job thought God was always with

him. Bible Reading: Job Chapter 33

Highlights: “But now, hear my speech, O Job,

and listen to all my words.

8 “Surely, you have spoken in my hearing, and I have heard the sound of your words. 9 You say, ‘I am clean, without transgression;

I am pure, and there is no iniquity in me. 10 Look, he finds occasions against me,

he counts me as his enemy; 11 he puts my feet in the stocks,

and watches all my paths.’ “But in this you are not right. I will answer you: God is greater than any mortal.

13 Why do you contend against him, saying, ‘He will answer none of my words’?

Quotation: “And remember, I am with you always, to the

end of the age.” Matthew 28:20b Cause for thought: Are there times in your life when you have

felt that God had deserted you? Pray for: Greater trust in the promises of God.

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Friday Week 6

The Story: God is not capable of wicked deeds he is eternally

good. It was the Devil who caused Job’s troubles. Bible Reading: Job Chapter 34

Highlights: “Therefore, hear me, you who have sense,

far be it from God that he should do wickedness, and from the Almighty that he should do wrong.

11 For according to their deeds he will repay them, and according to their ways he will make it befall them. 12 Of a truth, God will not do wickedly,

and the Almighty will not pervert justice. 13 Who gave him charge over the earth

and who laid on him the whole world? 14 If he should take back his spirit to himself,

and gather to himself his breath, 15 all flesh would perish together, and all mortals return to dust.

Quotation: Sometimes God allows what he hates to accom-

plish what he loves.”

― Joni Eareckson Tada, The God I Love Cause for thought: Look back on the difficult times in your life, can you see how the Devil might have been involved?

Pray for: The ability to recognise the works of the Devil as ap-posed to those of God?

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Saturday Week 6 The Story: Job was saying that God doesn’t care how we be-

have but Elihu disagrees, doing good does not prevent people suffering.

Bible Reading: Job Chapter 35

Highlights:

Elihu continued and said: 2 “Do you think this to be just?

You say, ‘I am in the right before God.’ 3 If you ask, ‘What advantage have I?

How am I better off than if I had sinned?’ 4 I will answer you and your friends with you.

5 Look at the heavens and see; observe the clouds, which are higher than you.

6 If you have sinned, what do you accomplish against him? And if your transgressions are multiplied, what do you do to him?

7 If you are righteous, what do you give to him; or what does he receive from your hand?

8 Your wickedness affects others like you, and your righteousness, other human beings.

Quotation: “Blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall

never be disappointed.” ― Alexander Pope

Cause for thought: Have you ever been tempted to expect to

be treated differently by God because of the good you have done?

Pray for: The wherewithal to do good whilst expecting nothing of God in return.

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Monday Week 7 The Story: Although God is all powerful he does not behave

like a tyrant.

Bible Reading: Job Chapter 36

Highlights:

“Surely God is mighty and does not despise any; he is mighty in strength of understanding. 6 He does not keep the wicked alive,

but gives the afflicted their right. 7 He does not withdraw his eyes from the righteous,

but with kings on the throne he sets them forever, and they are exalted. 8 And if they are bound in fetters

and caught in the cords of affliction, 9 then he declares to them their work

and their transgressions, that they are behaving arrogantly. 10 He opens their ears to instruction, and commands that they return from iniquity.

11 If they listen, and serve him, they complete their days in prosperity,

and their years in pleasantness. 12 But if they do not listen, they shall perish by the sword, and die without knowledge.

Quotation: “Men do not become tyrants in order that they

may not suffer cold.” ― Aristotle, Politics Cause for thought: Have you ever been guilty of letting pow-

er, no matter how limited, go to your head, if so what was the outcome?

Pray for: The ability to use any authority, you may have been given, wisely.

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Tuesday Week 7

The Story: God deserves honour because of his great deeds.

Bible Reading: Job Chapter 37

Highlights:

“Hear this, O Job; stop and consider the wondrous works of God.

15 Do you know how God lays his command upon them, and causes the lightning of his cloud to shine?

16 Do you know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of the one whose knowledge is perfect, 17 you whose garments are hot

when the earth is still because of the south wind? 18 Can you, like him, spread out the skies,

hard as a molten mirror?

Quotation: “For you are bought with a price: therefore glorify

God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 6:20 Cause for thought: Are you able to glorify God regardless of the situation you find yourself in?

Pray for: The ability to praise and glorify God in everything you

say and do.

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Wednesday Week 7

The Story: God speaks and challenges Job.

Bible Reading: Job Chapter 38

Highlights: Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind:

2 “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?

3 Gird up your loins like a man, I will question you, and you shall declare to me. 4 “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?

Tell me, if you have understanding. 5 Who determined its measurements—surely you know!

Or who stretched the line upon it? 6 On what were its bases sunk,

or who laid its cornerstone 7 when the morning stars sang together and all the heavenly beings[a] shouted for joy?

Quotation: For the word of God is living and active, sharper

than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and

of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts

and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

Cause for thought: Are you ready to hear God’s voice and be challenged by him?

Pray for: The willingness to hear God’s voice and the courage

to accept his challenges.

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Thursday Week 7

The Story: God reiterates his power over creation.

Bible Reading: Job Chapter 39

Highlights: “Is it by your wisdom that the hawk soars,

and spreads its wings toward the south? 27 Is it at your command that the eagle mounts up

and makes its nest on high? 28 It lives on the rock and makes its home in the fastness of the rocky crag.

29 From there it spies the prey; its eyes see it from far away.

30 Its young ones suck up blood; and where the slain are, there it is.”

Quotation: “There is no such thing as a great man of God, only

weak, pitiful, faithless men of a great and merciful God.” ― Paul Washer

Cause for thought: How often do you need reminding of God’s awesome power? When you do what is it that reminds you?

Pray for: Those who are unable to appreciate the awesome

power of God because their senses have been dulled by suffer-ing and pain.

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Friday Week 7

The Story: Job had said some foolish things because of his

pain and he realised this when God pointed out his error. Bible Reading: Job Chapter 40

Highlights: Then Job answered the Lord:

4 “See, I am of small account; what shall I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth.

5 I have spoken once, and I will not answer; twice, but will proceed no further.”

The Lord Replies “Deck yourself with majesty and dignity;

clothe yourself with glory and splendour. 11 Pour out the overflowings of your anger,

and look on all who are proud, and abase them. 12 Look on all who are proud, and bring them low; tread down the wicked where they stand.

13 Hide them all in the dust together; bind their faces in the world below.

14 Then I will also acknowledge to you that your own right hand can give you victory.

Quotation:“Don't change your mind just because people are

offended; change your mind if you're wrong.” ― Criss Jami Cause for thought: Has suffering ever caused you to behave

foolishly, if so what was the outcome?

Pray for: The willingness to accept God’s judgement and the ability to respond to it.

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Saturday Week 7

The Story: God makes a final point and Job regrets his fool-

ishness in blaming God and asks for forgiveness. Bible Reading: Job Chapter 41 & 42

Highlights: Then Job answered the Lord:

2 “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.

3 ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.

4 ‘Hear, and I will speak; I will question you, and you declare to me.’

5 I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you;

6 therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” Quotation: “We all make mistakes, have struggles, and even

regret things in our past. But you are not your mistakes, you

are not your struggles, and you are here NOW with the power to shape your day and your future.”

― Steve Maraboli

Cause for thought: Think of the times when you have been guilty of wrongly blaming others or God for the things that have gone wrong in your life. Seek God’s forgiveness and then wipe

them from your memory.

Pray for: Forgiveness for the times when you have got it wrong. And for the wisdom to put them behind you.

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Easter Sunday

The Story: God restores everything to Job twofold.

Bible Reading: Job Chapter 42

Highlights:

And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job when he had prayed for his friends; and the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. Then there came to him all his brothers and sisters and

all who had known him before, and they ate bread with him in his house; they showed him sympathy and comforted him for

all the evil that the Lord had brought upon him; and each of them gave him a piece of money and a gold ring.

Quotation: You were born a child of light’s wonderful secret—

you return to the beauty you have always been.” ― Aberjhani,

Cause for thought: Resurrection and restoration are both part

of God’s ultimate plan for all of us. For us it is not a one off event but a continual journey. Where are you on that road?

Pray that: The insights learned from the Book of Job will be a valuable part of your spiritual journey.

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Booklet Compiled by Revd. Michael Guest

Scripture passages from NRSV