Job 3:11-16 – Start The Day

““Why did I not die at birth? Why did I not perish when I came from the womb? ¹²Why did the knees receive me? Or why the breasts, that I should nurse? ¹³For now I would have lain still and been quiet, I would have been asleep; then I would have been at rest ¹⁴with kings and counselors of the earth, who built ruins for themselves, or with princes who had gold, who filled their houses with silver; ¹⁶Or why was I not hidden like a stillborn child, like infants who never saw light?”” Job 3:11-16 NKJV

“Why is light given to him who is in misery, and life to the bitter of soul, ²¹who long for death, but it does not come, and search for it more than hidden treasures; ²²who rejoice exceedingly, and are glad when they can find the grave? ²³Why is light given to a man whose way is hidden, and whom God has hedged in? ²⁴For my sighing comes before I eat, and my groanings pour out like water. ²⁵For the thing I greatly feared has come upon me, And what I dreaded has happened to me. ²⁶I am not at ease, nor am I quiet; I have no rest, for trouble comes.” Job 3: 20-26

Father God,

Job hits rock bottom. It is hard to read. Perhaps we have never felt that low and that is a reason to thank You. Perhaps we have and remember the struggle to hold suffering and faith together. Job is asking questions of You God and trying to understand. Many of the same questions that we have asked. When we see disasters on the news and tremendous depth of suffering and death of those so young. Some of them Yours in Jesus, some with no chance of knowing You. We need to be able to be real and honest.

Yet Job never turns away from You. He asks the questions. There are no easy answers for us to be able to quote. He has to journey through his pain with You. And it does not stop it happening. Job does not give us answers. He shows us his attitude. In depression, even suicidal he turns to You. He is not persuaded by the trite answers of his friends who make him feel guilty in his depression. He continues to talk to You.

When there are no answers help us to continue to search for you and wait. And accept the things we may never know. And trust. You do not send suffering but it happens. We live in a fallen world. Evil has not been finally dealt with yet. Meanwhile we have Your Holy Spirit of comfort and strength help us keep going if, when it is all bleak.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Wednesday 2nd September 2026

Joseph Scriven (1819–1886) was an Irish-born Canadian teacher and poet best remembered for writing this hymn. Despite facing crushing personal tragedies, he lived a life of radical selflessness and service to the poor.

What a friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer!

Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;
take it to the Lord in prayer!
Can we find a friend so faithful
who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
take it to the Lord in prayer!

Are we weak and heavy laden,
cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge–
take it to the Lord in prayer!
Do your friends despise, forsake you?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he’ll take and shield you;
you will find a solace there.

Lyrics: Joseph M. Scriven

“Why did I not die at birth? Why did I not perish when I came from the womb? ¹²Why did the knees receive me? Or why the breasts, that I should nurse? ¹³For now I would have lain still and been quiet, I would have been asleep; Then I would have been at rest ¹⁴With kings and counselors of the earth, Who built ruins for themselves, ¹⁵Or with princes who had gold, Who filled their houses with silver; ¹⁶Or why was I not hidden like a stillborn child, Like infants who never saw light?” Job 3:11-16 NLT

God of life,

I like Job because he speaks his mind. He speaks his feelings, his questions and he is honest with You. I find Job difficult to read but know that not speaking something means it often festers. What is interesting is that his friends are horrified at his honesty. And they have already judged him. Perhaps they have never been depressed or in so much grief and pain. We are not supposed to judge But they sat on the ground with him seven days and nights, and said nothing! Friends?

So Job spoke. Thankyou that Job teaches me to be honestly how I feel and not fear rejection from You God. He would not be losing the friendship of his visitors as he probably never had it! I know You understand because You had to let go and watch as Jesus died alone on the cross. Job here does not wish to end his life he wishes it had not happened. A subtle honest difference.

These friends brought no empathy and not a drop of sympathy. They overstayed their welcome and left no kindness or comfort. Help us to talk to You honestly when other people cannot understand. When someone asks us how we are, help us to answer and ask for prayer. And help us to ask how others are and really want to know and pray with them. Thank you that we have You, Father, Son and Holy Spirit who are with us always to listen and to speak faith, hope and love (1 Corinthians 13:13) into our hearts.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Friday 24th January 2025
Written by Lucy Milward Booth-Hellberg, who was the eighth and youngest child of William and Catherine Booth, founders of The Salvation Army. At 16 she travelled to serve in India. She was widowed at the age of forty-one, with four children to care for (a fifth child died in infancy). Lucy went on to serve God in Denmark, Norway and South America, before retiring. She certainly had reason to feel discouraged at times!

When you feel weakest, dangers surround,
Subtle temptations, troubles abound,
Nothing seems hopeful, nothing seems glad,
All is despairing, everything sad:

Keep on believing, Jesus is near;
Keep on believing, there’s nothing to fear;
Keep on believing, this is the way;
Faith in the night as well as the day.

If all were easy, if all were bright,
Where would the cross be, and where the fight?
But in the hardness, God gives to you
Chances of proving that you are true.

God is your wisdom, God is your might,
God’s ever near you, guiding aright;
He understands you, knows all you need;
Trusting in him you’ll surely succeed.

Let us press on then, never despair,
Live above feeling, victory’s there;
Jesus can keep us so near to him
That nevermore our faith shall grow dim.

Lyrics: Lucy M Booth-Hellburg