O LORD, I have so many enemies; So many are against me.So many are saying, "God will never rescue him!"But you, O LORD, are a shield around me;You are my glory, the one who holds my head high.I cried out to the LORD, and he answered me from his holy mountain.I lay down and slept, yet I woke up in safety, for the LORD was watching over me.I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies who surround me on e...  Read More

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wickedOr stand in the way that sinners takeOr sit in the company of mockers,But whose delight is in the law of the LORD,And who meditates on his law day and night.That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,Which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither -- Whatever they do, prospers. (Psalm 1:1-3, NIV) A prosperous l...  Read More

When Job prayed for his friends, the LORD restored his fortunes.In fact, the LORD gave him twice as much as before! Then all his brothers, sisters and former friends came and feasted with him in his home. And they consoled him and comforted him because of all the trials the LORD had brought against him. And each of them brought him a gift of money and a gold ring.So the LORD blessed Job in the sec...  Read More

After the LORD had finished speaking to Job, He said to Eliphaz the Temanite: "I am angry with you and your two friends, for you have not spoken accurately about me, as my servant Job has.So take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and offer a burnt offering for yourselves. My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer on your behalf.I will not treat you as you des...  Read More

Then Job replied to the LORD:I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you.You asked, 'Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?'It is I -- and I was talking about things that I knew nothing about,Things far too wonderful for me.You said, 'Listen and I will speak! I have some questions for you,And you must answer them.'I had only heard about you before,But now I have see...  Read More

Then Job replied to the LORD,"I am nothing -- how could I find the answers?I will cover my mouth with my hand.I have said too much already.I have nothing to say."Then the LORD answered Job from the whirlwind:"Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you,And you must answer them.Will you discredit my justice and condemn me just to prove you are right?Are you as strong as God?Can...  Read More

Then the LORD answered Job from the whirlwind:Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words?Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you,And you must answer them.Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?Tell me, if you know so much.Who determined its dimensions and stretched out the surveying line?...Who kept the sea inside its boundaries as it bu...  Read More

Do you know how God controls the storm and causes the lightning to flash from his clouds?Do you understand how he moves the clouds with wonderful perfection and skill?When you are sweltering in your clothes and the south wind dies down and everything is still, he makes the skies reflect the heat like a bronze mirror. Can you do that?"So teach the rest of us what to say to God.We are too ignorant t...  Read More

Look, God is greater than we can understand.His years cannot be counted.He draws up the water vapor and then distills it into rain...Who can understand the spreading of the clouds and the thunder that rolls from heaven?...The thunder announces his presence; the storm announces his indignant anger.My heart pounds as I think of this.It trembles within me.Listen carefully to the thunder of God's voic...  Read More

God is mighty, but he does not despise anyone! . . .He does not let the wicked live but gives justice to the afflicted.He never takes his eyes off the innocent,But he sets them on thrones with kings and exalts them forever.If they are bound in chains and caught up in a web of trouble, he shows them the reason…He gets their attention and commands that they turn from evil.If they listen and obey God...  Read More

"People cry out when they are oppressed.They groan beneath the power of the mighty."Yet they don't ask, 'Where is God my Creator, the one who gives songs in the night?Where is the one who makes us smarter than the animals and wiser than the birds of the sky?'And when they cry out, God does not answer because of their pride.But it is wrong to say God doesn't listen,To say the Almighty isn't concern...  Read More

Then Elihu said:"Do you think it is right for you to claim, 'I am righteous before God'?For you also ask, 'What's in it for me?What's the use of living a righteous life?'"I will answer you and all your friends, too.Look up into the sky, and see the clouds high above you.If you sin, how does that affect God?Even if you sin again and again, what effect will it have on him?If you are good, is this so...  Read More