When you felt inclined to pray it was Jesus Christ who moved you in that direction. When you said, I think I see more clearly today; truth seems to be enlarging, – it was Christ who was performing a miracle upon you. Trace all happy impulse, all sacred inspiration, all ennobling influence, to the touch, the glance, the benediction of Christ (Joseph Parker). 

God reveals wisdom, displays power, rebukes accusers and shackles you in sin as motivation for release as you hear His gentle words and warnings.  Job 11-15 explain the process of becoming unshackled from sin.

God Reveals
Zophar asked if Job’s idle words would go unanswered without rebuke when he claimed purity before them. He hoped God would disclose wisdom’s secrets to Job that were higher than the heavens, deeper than the grave, longer than the earth and wider than the sea. God recognized and took note of deceitful men. He challenged Job to put away sin so he could stand firm without shame and fear. He would forget his trouble, be secure and have hope with a brighter life. The wicked fail and their hope dies (Job 11:1-20). God reveals wisdom to the pure so they can stand firm without shame and fear. 

God Displays
Job said he was not inferior even though he became a laughingstock to his friends while God answered his prayers. People at ease do not want to think about God who gave them breath. God has wisdom, power, counsel and understanding. You cannot rebuild what He tore down, release a man He imprisoned or avoid a drought if He held back the waters. God has strength and victory. He owned the deceived and deceiver while making fools of judges. He took off the shackles put on kings, overthrew established men, silenced trusted advisers, removed the discernment of elders, poured contempt on nobles, disarmed the mighty, made nations great along with destroying, enlarging and dispersing them. He deprived leaders of their reason and made them stagger like drunkards (Job 12:1-25). God displays power, counsel and understanding in accomplishing His will through nations and its leaders. 

God Rebukes
Job desired to argue His case with God even while smeared with lies. His accusers would show wisdom by remaining silent. Could they speak wickedly on God’s behalf and still deceive Him like with men? He would surely rebuke them and His dread would fall on them (Job 13:1-12). God rebukes lying accusers during your trials. 

God Shackles
Though He slay me, I hope and call for to Him for deliverance. Withdraw your hand and stop frightening me with terror. Why does God hide His face and consider me an enemy? He wrote down bitter things and made me inherit the sins of my youth. He fastened Job’s feet in shackles so he wasted away like a garment eaten by moths (Job 13:13-28). God shackles you in sin to motivate your prayer and hope for deliverance. 

God Releases
Man’s few days are full of trouble like a hired man. He springs up and withers like a flower. God determines man’s days and ends when he dies. Trees can sprout new shoots. Will a man live again after he dies? Release comes after days of hard service. Hopefully God covers over sin but in reality He destroys man’s hope and does not know when his sons are honored (Job 14:1-22). God releases you after days of hard service and trouble.

God Speaks
Eliphaz asked if wise men used useless speech in their arguments. By hindering devotion to God, one sinned with their mouth causing condemnation. Unless you were the first one born, no one boasted about knowing God’s council or being wiser than older people. Be content with His words spoken gently to you. No man was pure and righteous since he drank evil like water (Job 15:1-16). God speaks gently so you become devoted to Him instead of pride about knowledge. 

God Warns
Wise men declared that the wicked were overwhelmed with torment, despair and anguish because of shaking their fist at God. Their wealth won’t endure and they can’t escape the darkness. Trusting in worthless things deceived men, offered no return, bore no fruit and consumed those who loved bribes. The godless conceived trouble and gave birth to evil (Job 15:17-35). God warns about trusting in  deceptive, worthless things that bear no fruit and cause anguish. 

How is God motivating you to become unshackled from sin? What is He saying to you? 


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