07/30 Compass Guide Comments By Dr. Daniel Daves

30-Jul Job 3-4, 2 Cor. 1-2, Psalms 1-5, Proverbs 30

Job cursed the day of his birth:
Job 3:1-4 (NIV) 1 After this, Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth. 2 He said: 3 "May the day of my birth perish,
and the night it was said, 'A boy is born!' 4 That day--may it turn to darkness; may God above not care about it; may no light shine upon it.

Job had disaster strike at his home and he was completely wiped out within minutes. Every messenger came to him with bad news of destruction.  But Job didn't blame God, rather he abhored and hated himself.  He cursed the day that he had been born, and basically wished that he had never been created on the earth.  Now Job is in a very unstable mental condition, but this is one that we can all fall into when destruction hits.  It's called, "Suicidal".  In a very short amount of time, Job lost the will to live. Everything he had held dear to him had been stripped away, including all of his sons and daughters, killed in a tornado.  What tragedy, shock, and horror brought about by Satan, the head fallen angel of destruction.

In the end of the story, Job would see a new light, he would be healed, and he would receive double from God from that which had been taken away.  But while he was in the time of despair, he needed comfort, encouragement, and friendship.  He needed continual, personal reminder of how valuable he was, and how those close to him still needed his wisdom, his personality, and his value in their lives.  This is called EN-COURAGEMENT, or courage in.  He had courage ripped out of him with the mass destruction that hit him all at once, or DIS-COURAGEMENT, or courage out.

Today, we need to look around us and find those who are DIS-COURAGED.  Satan is the author of destruction and he loves to wreak havoc in people's lives.  He is in the business of dissension, division, divorce, etc.  And he is destroying so many people's lives, bringing some of them to utter ruin and to thoughts of suicide.  Many around us are thinking like Job thought.

Romans 12:6-8 (NIV) We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

God has given us the gift of encouragement. Look for places to use it.  When you see people in your relationship circle who are going through something, or they look distressed, this is a perfect opportunity to put COURAGE IN to them.  Show them that you love them, that you care, and that God cares.  Just like Job, if they can just get through this tough period in their life, they will see light at the end of the tunnel, and they will experience restoration.  But these critical times of destruction need infusion of courage from God's true ministers of light.

COMPASS GUIDE keeps us in the Word of God every day so that we have revelation light for our own lives, and for the lives of others.  COURAGE IN is ENCOURAGEMENT.  When we read the God, we are receiving courage in to our hearts and minds.  The Word of God is sharp, quick, powerful, and alive.  With courage in, we should be prepared to put courage in to others who are in need.

Look for the Job in your life and quickly offer to encourage that person.  Time will bring restoration to them, and they will know and understand their true value much more clearly at a later time.  Until then, HAVE COURAGE.  That's the message of God's unfailing love for every Job in our midst.  Do you know who your Job is today?  He is not far away! Take the time now to reach out to him.

Tomorrow's Reading:
31-Jul Job 5-6, 2 Cor. 3-4, Psalms 6-10, Proverbs 31