Small Beginnings

Date: January 18, 2023

I use the BLESS method every morning for my devotional. 

B - Bible Verse
L - Listen for God's Word and pray
E - Explore the History and meaning
S - Study and savor
S - Summarize and Share

You can read more about it by going to: What is a Faith Journal?

Bible Scripture Verse – Job 8:7

"Though your beginning was small, yet your latter days will be very great."

Listen for God’s Voice

Gracious Heavenly Father, Please show me how to take the wisdom in the scripture and apply it to my daily actions and decisions. Give me the strength and discernment to trust in your plan for my life and to see my potential in all things. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Explore the History – Who wrote it, when and to what audience? Key people in the story?

The book of Job is considered to be one of the oldest books in the Bible, probably written between the 7th and 4th centuries BCE. It’s an ancient story that talks about the problem of undeserved suffering.

The book was most likely intended for the ancient Israelites. The key people are Job, who is a wealthy and righteous man who suffers a series of misfortunes, and his three friends, who try to explain Job's suffering by accusing him of secret sins. God has a big part in the story as well because he allows Satan to test Job's faithfulness and later speaks to Job from a whirlwind to remind him of his limited understanding of the world.

Study and Savor – Key Words

Beginning: The starting point or first stage of something. In today’s verse, it refers to the small or humble beginnings of an individual or situation.

Latter days: A term used to refer to the end times or the future. In today’s verse, it refers to the future prospects or potential for greatness.

Great: Having a large size, quantity, or degree of importance. In today’s verse,, it refers to the potential for greatness or success.

Summarize and Share

A little back story on this book. Job is a wealthy man who suffers a series of misfortunes, including the loss of his wealth, his children, and his health. Job's three friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, come to comfort him but instead, they accuse him of having secret sins that are causing his suffering. Job claims he is innocent and challenges God to explain why he is suffering.

In Job 8:7, Job's friend Bildad, is trying to console Job by pointing out that even though his current situation may be bad, his future could be great if he would only repent of his sins. Job never curses God or denies his faith, he just questions the justice of God’s actions.  God is happy with the way he responds and later God speaks to Job from a whirlwind to remind him of his limited understanding of the world and rewards him by restoring his wealth and giving him a new family.  This verse is supposed to be a poetic narrative and not actual history. 

This scripture today reminds us that what is happening in our lives right now, does not dictate what our future will be.  We need to trust in God’s plan for our lives and not be discouraged by what may be happening now. Many of us have felt like we’ve hit rock bottom at least one time in our lives, maybe that time is right now for you. 

Bible Cross Reference

Isaiah 60:22 - "The smallest will become a thousand, the least a mighty nation. I am the Lord; in its time I will do this swiftly." This verse from Isaiah speaks of the reversal of fortunes, and how God can bring about greatness from small beginnings.

Proverbs 16:18 - "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." This verse from Proverbs speaks of the dangers of pride, and how humility is necessary for one to achieve greatness.

Jeremiah 32:27 - "I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?" This verse from Jeremiah reminds us of the power of God and how nothing is impossible for Him.

Romans 8:28 - "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." This verse from Romans speaks of how God works everything together for the good of those who love Him, and how He can bring about good from difficult situations.