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Job 8:11-14

Can papyrus grow tall where there is no marsh? Can reeds thrive without water? While still growing and uncut, they wither more quickly than grass. Such is the destiny of all who forget God; so perishes the hope of the godless. What they trust in is fragile; what they rely on is a spider’s web.

The words in today’s passage were spoken by Job’s friend, Bildad. However, as the old saying goes, with friends like him, who needs enemies? While Job suffered, Bildad kept the ill-advised advice coming. But in the middle of his musings, he made a significant point. Hopelessness is the inevitable product of leaving God out of your life.

The destiny, Bildad says, of those who leave God out of their lives is as fragile as a dried-up reed that withers “more quickly than grass.” The things they rely on to provide security have the strength of a spider’s web. Any hope the godless may have perishes with them.

Unfortunately, the godless are not the only ones who struggle in this area. Forgetting God is the believer’s struggle. Self-assured and self-reliant, we go our own way doing our own thing. We believe that we are more than capable of handling life without God . . . until the bottom falls out . . . until we learn the hard way that trusting in ourselves is fragile . . . until we learn that what we trusted in fell apart like a spider’s web. Thank God for His gracious welcome back when we humbly return from the land of forgetfulness.

Father, forgive us for so easily forgetting You. Forgive us for trusting in fragile things. Help us to keep our trust placed solely in You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Read through the Bible this year:

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Today on The Journey Broadcast:

 

1st John: Fearless