Job 29-31

“How I long for the months gone by, for the days when God watched over me ...” (29:1). Although Job’s case is extreme, most adults have at times looked back and wished for the good days of the past. Job remembered when he was a hard-working, influential, respected man, with his children around him and a life “drenched with cream” (29:6). He felt that those blessings were signs of God’s “intimate friendship” and favor (29:4) and that his hard times were punishment.

“I cry out to you God, but you do not answer” (30:20). Our difficulties do not mean God is punishing us or has withdrawn His favor. Through trials, we experience His “intimate friendship” in deeper ways.