Job returns to expressing the suffering he has experienced since Satan's testing began. He thinks about the joy of his past life, when he was visibly blessed. He calls it a time of God's intimate friendship (4). He was blessed to have his children around him (5), and he was honored and respected by all his neighbors (7-11, 21-25). Job did not use his blessings selfishly. He was genuinely worthy of the respect he received because he took care of the poor and needy (12-17).

Job thought these good circumstances would continue until his death, but they did not (18-20). In the next chapter, Job will contrast these days of blessing to his current suffering and misery.

If we feel we have lost God's blessing compared to earlier times in our life, it may be good to examine ourselves to find the spiritual cause. But we should not fall into unspiritual nostalgia or self-pity. In all circumstances, let us be thankful because of how God has blessed us and used us so far, not because of our own goodness but because of his grace in Jesus. In Jesus we can be friends of God.


Application: Father, thank you for all the ways you have blessed me and used me. Help me not compare these times to the past too much, but just keep myself pure before you.
One Word: Thank God for his friendship.