“Prayer Over Judgement”

Job 34:31 Why don't people say to God, I have sinned, but I will sin no more.

Job 34:32 or I don’t know what evil I have done— tell me.  If I have done wrong, I will stop at once.

While this isn’t a bad statement in doing an assessment of ourselves. It wasn’t an assessment of self, but a an assumed made by One of the individuals who was with Job as her was suffering.

First point:

Let’s look at it from the perspective of self examination. 

Job 34:31 Why don't people say to God, I have sinned, but I will sin no more.

If we did this, it would tackle the  main point of the matter head on.

God, I know I have sinned, but I will sin no more.

The person confesses there  is sin  he or she has  committed.  Then they say they will sin no more.

Confession of sin before God  needs to happen. It is a part of the repentance process. To say. I will sin no more is also a part of the repentance process.

To repent is to turn away from the sin and not go back to it.

It  is a journey because temptation, that spirit who lurks, seeking to destroy your soul will drift in and out of your life. 

However, this doesn’t mean you are doomed and will fail. It means there is going to be temptation because we live in a fallen world. 

We don’t have to adopt the attitude of temptation that 

is present so why fight it, why try to make things to right?

This is called “Stinkin Thinkin” your thought process towards repentance stinks and this mindset will keep you in a whirlpool, repetitive activity of wrong. Wrongful acts, and thoughts  and have you believing, “ what is the use?” 

Job 34:32 or I don’t know what evil I have done— tell me.  If I have done wrong, I will stop at once.

We 99% of the time are aware of what we have done. It is important  to ask for forgiveness of the sins I am aware of and those I unknowingly commit.

That is why when we repent of sins before God, we need to remain in a posture of building our new relationship with him. Any wrongs that we are ready to make amends for can be accomplished! 

Considering the scripture in Job 34:31-32, when we ask this of ourselves. We should examine self and work on the process of forgiveness/ redemption.

Second point:

In the scripture Job 34:31-32 

One of the men present with Job  made this  comment 👇🏽

Job 34:31 Why don't people say to God, I have sinned, but I will sin no more.

Job 34:32 or I don’t know what evil I have done— tell me.  If I have done wrong, I will stop at once.

His comment was based off of watching Job suffering from what was an attack of the enemy- who was given permission by God, with the stipulation that Satan was not allowed to kill Job.

As we read the responses of Job’s friends. They each believe that Job did something to bring devastating calamity into his life.

The comment made in vs 34:31-32, can be a good assessment tool for self examination, but it is not a good assessment the friend made of Job.

We know from reading story that Satan told God Job was only upright because of the blessings God gave him. 

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Job 1:1, 3

Job 1:1 There once was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz. He was blameless-a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil.

Job 1:3 He owned 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 teams of oxen, and 500 female donkeys. He also had many servants. He was, in fact, the richest person in that entire area.

Vs 1,and 3 shows Job’s wealth.

Job 1:2 He had seven sons and three daughters.

Job 1:4 Job's sons would take turns preparing feasts in their homes, and they would also invite their three sisters to celebrate with them.

Job 1:5 When these celebrations ended-sometimes after several days-Job would purify his children. He would get up early in the morning and offer a burnt offering for each of them. For Job said to himself, "Perhaps my children have sinned and have cursed God in their hearts." This was Job's regular practice.

Vs. 4-5

Show us Job’s character.

Job 1:6 One day the members of the heavenly court came to present themselves before the LORD, and the Accuser, Satan, came with them. 

7] "Where have you come from?" the LORD asked Satan. Satan answered the LORD, "I have been patrolling the earth, watching everything that's going on." 

8] Then the LORD asked Satan, "Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless-a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil." 

9] Satan replied to the LORD, "Yes, but Job has good reason to fear God. 

10] You have always put a wall of protection around him and his home and his property. You have made him prosper in everything he does. Look how rich he is! 

11] But reach out and take away everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face!" 

12] "All right, you may test him," the LORD said to Satan. "Do whatever you want with everything he possesses, but don't harm him physically." So Satan left the LORD's presence.

The book of Job is in the Old Testament chapters 1-42. As you read each chapter you will see what Satan does to him and how his friends respond to him because of what Satan does.

One of the friends made this comment in job 34:31-32. This is our highlighted or key scripture because, though we know we are not to judge, it comes easy when we respond to our friends and loved ones.

Though we are guilty at times for bringing calamity into our lives. It doesn’t mean we are at fault every time. It doesn’t mean we are necessarily tested by God, though we are subject to being tested by him.

We can be certain that the devil will roam seeking whom he may devour.

The point is it is not for us to judge the person for his or her trials. But pray for them, their situation and pray them through it with good health and favorable outcomes.

We are busy picking apart the details and how something could have been avoided, time is wasted and taken away from the needed prayers that could prevent more trouble. 

Prayers, that are genuine and sincere, can move a mountain.

Mark 11:23 NLT

I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, 'May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,' and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart.

Mark 9:23 NLT

"What do you mean, 'If I can'?" Jesus asked. "Anything is possible if a person believes."

We can sit all day throwing accusations at someone.  Telling them that they did something to bring about the disaster plaguing their lives. 

Or we can stand on faith, our character as a Christian and pray them through their misfortune. Job’s friends tried to speak on the on God’s character as they hurled accusations at Job.

I paraphrase as I say that God reprimanded his friends and let them know they were in accurate, not as righteous as Job, and had to go and present a sacrifice,  and have Job pray for them to receive God’s forgiveness.

Be careful how you respond to others who go through the trials of life. Your prayers are needed more than your judgment.

My Closing Prayer:

Psalm 16:5 LORD, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing. You guard all that is mine. 

Psalms 16:6 The land you have given me is a pleasant land. What a wonderful inheritance! 

Psalms 16:7 I will bless the LORD who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me. 

Psalms 16:8 I know the LORD is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.

Lord, because I know this, doubt has no reservation in my heart. I pray your hand upon each of us protecting us from those things not of you in both the spirit and physical realms 

In the name of Jesus. Amen.