He shall pray to God, and He will delight in him, He shall see His face with joy, for He restores to man His righteousness.
It may surprise you to know that “joy” was called for on behalf of Job, even amid his devastating circumstances. Words translated “joy” in the English are used six times throughout the book, each using a different variation of the word. For instance, Job 8:19 speaks of the feeling of joy, Job 20:5 uses the word with its clearest understanding, but it is referring to hypocrites, whose joy (i.e., “delight”) is only momentary. Job 29:13 uses a word that indicates singing for joy, Job 41:22 uses another word entirely which indicates dancing for joy. In Job 38:7 the word “joy” is inferred in the context of the sentence, and in our verse for today, the word used infers that one will “shout” for joy once one gains some level of understanding of what is happening in his life.

For nearly 24 chapters, Job’s three “friends” (the word being cautiously used!), Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar have attempted to give a reason philosophically and theologically for Job’s tremendous suffering and loss. They each draw the same conclusion: Job has sinned, so now he’s suffering. Even Job himself agrees that what he is suffering materially, relationally, and physically must indeed be the result of something he did to make God angry.

Another assumed acquaintance, Elihu, standing in the shadows of the room now steps forth, full of disgust at what he has been hearing from these so-called friends of Job (Job 32:1-3). For six chapters Elihu, who may agree that sin can bring its own suffering, speaks forth a different conclusion, ringing with the incredible truth desperately needed by any innocent sufferer today. His first thought is at the heart of our verse for today: God has not been silent amid Job’s suffering. He speaks through the pain to open an opportunity for Job to see God’s righteousness beyond the pain. Read carefully the beautiful poetic phrases of chapters 32 and 33 to realize that God often afflicts the body for the good of the soul. Indeed, pain is the fruit of sin’s rampage throughout the world, and we would always choose to not suffer its destructive ravages. But by God’s grace, the pain of the body can spiritually reveal the deeper dimensions of life that draw one closer to God for both life in the present and in eternity.

Pain draws us to prayer—all kinds of prayer—from many different angles. The constant “asking, seeking, knocking” prayer of one suffering is promised an ”open door” (Matthew 7:7-8), an opportunity to see something of God working behind the scenes to bring about results that are honoring to Him and best for us (even though we may not realize it at the time). Can we imagine that if we see God’s “face” from this perspective that our souls will be filled with joy? This kind of attitude provides the greatest opportunity for God to restore that sense of righteousness—that sense of living in a right relationship with God.

Speaking regarding all seasons of life, A.W. Tozer stated: “When a person, yielding to God and believing the truth of God, is filled with the Spirit of God, even his faintest whisper will be worship.” In our worship of God, we find our best opportunity to express joy—unspeakable joy!

By Bill Niblette, Bible League International staff, Pennsylvania USAOld Testament Reading
Nehemiah 7, 8

Nehemiah 7 -- Census of Returned Exiles

  NIV   NLT   ESV   NAS   GWT   KJV   ASV   ERV   DRB

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Nehemiah 8 -- Ezra Reads the Law, Restores the Feast of Tabernacles

  NIV   NLT   ESV   NAS   GWT   KJV   ASV   ERV   DRB

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New Testament Reading
Acts 3

Acts 3 -- Peter Heals the Lame Beggar, Speaks to Onlookers

  NIV   NLT   ESV   NAS   GWT   KJV   ASV   ERV   DRB

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Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library.