S3E060-Job 17-18: Holding On When Friends Fail
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In today’s Lifespring! One Year Bible Rewind, we sit with Job in one of the most painful moments of his story.
His suffering is deep, but what cuts even deeper is the realization that the friends who once came to comfort him have now
become his critics. This episode reminds us what it looks like to remain faithful when encouragement disappears and trust is tested.
Today’s Bible Reading
We read Job chapters 17 and 18, where Job openly admits that his spirit is broken and his hope feels fragile.
At the same time, he refuses to abandon his integrity or pretend guilt where none exists.
You can follow along with today’s reading at BibleGateway.
Commentary: Holding On When Friends Fail
Job’s words in chapter 17 reveal a man crushed not only by loss and illness, but by betrayal. The friends who once sat silently
with him in grief have now turned into mockers, insisting that his suffering must be the result of hidden sin. Job knows this is not
true, and he refuses to confess what he has not done.
This episode reflects on how devastating it can be when trusted friends misunderstand us, judge us, or abandon us during our darkest hours.
Job’s resolve is striking. He declares that the righteous will continue to walk uprightly and that clean hands will grow stronger, even under pressure.
Isaiah 40:31 reminds us that those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. Job clings to that truth long before it was ever written.
When human support fails, God remains faithful.
Lifespring! WhyChristmas
On today’s Lifespring! WhyChristmas segment, we explore Christmas traditions from around the world.
From Madagascar to Spain to Russia, believers celebrate the birth of Christ in beautifully diverse ways, all pointing to the same hope found in Jesus.
Listen to today’s WhyChristmas episode at lifespringmedia.com.
On This Date In Church History – December 18
Today we remember Charles Wesley, born December 18, 1707. Over his lifetime, Wesley wrote more than 6,000 hymns, many of which are still sung today. His gift was turning deep theology into words ordinary believers could sing, remember, and carry with them.
If you have sung HS56: Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus or HS60: Jesus, Lover Of My Soul, you’ve experienced two of Charles Wesley’s greatest hymn stories.
Wesley reminds us that worship is theology on our lips and hope in our voices.
Personal Update
Steve shares a personal update about LeeAnn’s recent glaucoma diagnosis and why this week required stepping back from the normal production flow. Thank you for your prayers as they navigate treatment decisions and upcoming medical appointments.
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