– Today’s Community Scripture – 7/24/2025
Job answered:
“I’m sure you speak for all the experts, and when you die there’ll be no one left to tell us how to live. But don’t forget that I also have a brain— I don’t intend to play second fiddle to you. It doesn’t take an expert to know these things. “I’m ridiculed by my friends: ‘So that’s the man who had conversations with God!’ Ridiculed without mercy: ‘Look at the man who never did wrong!’ It’s easy for the well-to-do to point their fingers in blame, for the well-fixed to pour scorn on the strugglers. Crooks reside safely in high-security houses, insolent blasphemers live in luxury; they’ve bought and paid for a god who’ll protect them. “But ask the animals what they think let them teach you; let the birds tell you what’s going on. Put your ear to the earth learn the basics. Listen the fish in the ocean will tell you their stories. Isn’t it clear that they all know and agree that God is sovereign, that he holds all things in his hand Every living soul, yes, every breathing creature? Isn’t this all just common sense, as common as the sense of taste? Do you think the elderly have a corner on wisdom, that you have to grow old before you understand life? “True wisdom and real power belong to God; from him we learn how to live, and also what to live for. If he tears something down, it’s down for good; if he locks people up, they’re locked up for good. If he holds back the rain, there’s a drought; if he lets it loose, there’s a flood. Strength and success belong to God; both deceived and deceiver must answer to him. He strips experts of their vaunted credentials, exposes judges as witless fools. He divests kings of their royal garments, then ties a rag around their waists. He strips priests of their robes, and fires high officials from their jobs. He forces trusted sages to keep silence, deprives elders of their good sense and wisdom. He dumps contempt on famous people, disarms the strong and mighty. He shines a spotlight into caves of darkness, hauls deepest darkness into the noonday sun. He makes nations rise and then fall, builds up some and abandons others. He robs world leaders of their reason, and sends them off into no-man’s-land. They grope in the dark without a clue, lurching and staggering like drunks.”
Job 12:1-25 (MSG)
– Reflection:
Put Your Ear to the Earth
Zophar’s assumptions, like those of many who speak from a place of comfort and certainty, overlook the depth of lived experience. Job’s reply serves as a powerful reminder that wisdom isn’t reserved for the elite or the aged; it’s accessible to anyone who has faced suffering with open eyes. His words challenge the arrogance of those who believe they have all the answers, especially when they’ve never had to ask the tough questions themselves. Job reminds us that God’s right to govern is shown not just in theology but also in the rhythms of creation, the instincts of animals, the patterns of nature, and the rise and fall of nations. It’s a call to humility—to recognize that true understanding doesn’t come from credentials or status, but from reverence, observation, and a heart tuned to God’s hand in all things. This passage speaks to me as a leader and a believer: to never assume I’ve arrived, and to always seek wisdom from the One who holds all things together.
– Where do we go from here?
As we step into new roles, promotions, or opportunities that come with perks and recognition, we must remember that those benefits are only for this world. Job reminds us that true wisdom and power belong to God—not to titles, salaries, or influence. The world may reward us with corner offices and applause, but heaven doesn’t recognize résumés. God isn’t impressed by what we’ve built if we’ve forgotten who built us. The same God who “strips experts of their credentials” and “fires high officials from their jobs” is the One who holds our eternity in His hands. So while we celebrate the blessings of a new job, let’s not confuse temporary favor with eternal security. Let’s keep our hearts aligned with the One who gives us purpose beyond the paycheck.
– Our Prayer for Today
Father, thank You for this sacred time of reflection and truth. As we’ve studied the words of Job, we’re reminded that wisdom, power, and purpose come from You alone. We acknowledge that the titles we hold, the perks we enjoy, and the recognition we receive in this world are temporary. They may serve us here, but they cannot carry us into eternity. Lord, help us to keep our hearts anchored in what truly matters—Your authority, Your truth, and Your will for our lives. As we move forward in our work, let us not be swayed by status or applause, but instead be guided by humility, integrity, and a desire to honor You in all we do. Teach us to lead with compassion, to serve with excellence, and to live with eternity in mind. May the seeds planted in this devotional bear fruit in our decisions, our relationships, and our walk with You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Job Answers Zophar
