READ Job 1
After meeting with God, Satan receives permission to test Job.

INSIGHT
If God is all good and all powerful, then why do the righteous suffer? Throughout the book of Job, questions of the ages arise. Job is a righteous man, and while he does not curse God, he does wonder why these things have happened. These same questions form today in the minds of people who observe or experience suffering. It is not wicked to ask these questions. All people struggle with these questions sooner or later. But we learn from Job that we can struggle without sinning.

PRAYER
God is trustworthy and kind. Because we know that He loves us with an everlasting love, we can praise Him:
I call on you, God,
Because you will answer me;  
Listen closely to me; hear what I say.
Display the wonders of your faithful love,  
Savior of all who seek refuge  
From those who rebel against your right hand.  
Protect me as the pupil of your eye;  
Hide me in the shadow of your wings  
From the wicked who treat me violently,  
My deadly enemies who surround me
(Psalm 17:6-9).

Pause for praise and thanksgiving. As you seek to keep your life free from sin, pray this confession to the Lord:
The ropes of death were wrapped around me;
The torrents of destruction terrified me.  
The ropes of Sheol entangled me;
The snares of death confronted me.  
I called to the Lord in my distress,
And I cried to my God for help.
From his temple he heard my voice,  
And my cry to him reached his ears  
(Psalm 18:4-6).

Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
He reached down from on high
And took hold of me;
He pulled me out of deep water.  
He rescued me from my powerful enemy
And from those who hated me,
For they were too strong for me.  
They confronted me in the day of my calamity,
But the Lord was my support (Psalm 18:16-18).

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:

• Health and strength
• Guidance for local political leaders
• Our pastor and his family

Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
The Lord lives — blessed be my rock!
The God of my salvation is exalted
(Psalm 18:46).