Central Truth

God loves us and wants us to be new creatures in Him. He wants to renew us and restore us to the way we were when He created us in His image.

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Reflections

In the midst of Job's suffering, his friend Elihu reminds him that God wants to redeem him and to make his world right again. Job's sufferings were all to serve a greater purpose, which was to show God's restorative power in the midst of unimaginable pain. God knew Job was a righteous man, but even Job had his human limits. He was in despair and overwhelmed with sorrow. He was in need of the restoration only God could bring. He must have longed for the simpler days when life was so much easier. Little did he know how greatly God was using him to be an example for so many. The name "Job" alone has come to mean the epitome of suffering today. Even those who know virtually nothing about the Bible know about Job.

Have you ever found yourself stroking the amazingly soft skin of an infant? Babies are so new and fresh. Everything about them feels wonderful. I remember the first time I saw my husband hold an infant. We were newly married and I was babysitting. He was touching the peach fuzz hair of my friend's daughter and marveling at its softness.  He just kept stroking it over and over. He had never felt anything like it. Verse 25 speaks of the renewing of flesh to that of a child. Although I know God restored Job's literal flesh to its pre-infected state, I think this also speaks to our humanness, meaning us as flesh and blood.

Jesus died so that we could all be new flesh. We need to remember that and live like new creatures. How often I forget and think of myself as only an aging human body! I am so much more because of Christ. I have a renewed body and a soul that will live forever with Him. My earthly troubles will soon be over and will only serve to make me stronger while I am here. Just like that soft, fresh newborn baby, I am a new creature in Christ and I praise God for making me one of his beloved children.

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Discussion Questions

1.  How often do you stop to thank God in the midst of suffering?

2.  What have your past experiences taught you that you can pass along to others when they are in need? Have you ever shared them with others for just that purpose?

3.  Do you remember what it was like when you first came to Christ? Try and live today in that newness that you once had. Thank God for the gift of your salvation.

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