We've been listening to Job in his anguish for three days now. But today he directs his words directly at God about the brevity and harshness of life.

"Is not life on earth a drudgery, its days like those of a hireling? Like a slave who longs for the shade, a hireling who waits for wages, So I have been assigned months of futility, and troubled nights have been counted off for me." — JOB 7:1-3

In our reading today Job continues in his reply to his friend Eliphaz. Even though the words of his friend were meant to encourage him to stay strong in the struggle, Job doesn't see it that way. He lashes out, clinging to his pain.

When we are in the midst of the storm the darkness can seem to be overwhelming. Job is rightfully depressed. He explains that it is because of the tremendous pain he is in that he feels the way he does. And even though his three friends are there with him he still feels alone.

"Happy the one whom God reproves! The Almighty’s discipline do not reject. For he wounds, but he binds up; he strikes, but his hands give healing." — JOB 5:17-18

Many people struggle with the idea of whether God punishes or not. This translation uses the word reprove, and I think to punish is a different thing altogether. I think of punishment more as a physical act. And of course we're not saying that God is up in the clouds waiting for us to mess up so He can start throwing thunderbolts down at us.

Today we hear from the first of Job's friends. Now that he has had time to mourn his loss and lament his pain, his friends attempt to share some words of comfort and consolation.

"Look, you have instructed many, and made firm their feeble hands. Your words have upheld the stumbler; you have strengthened faltering knees. But now that it comes to you, you are impatient; when it touches you, you are dismayed." — JOB 4:3-5

Today it gets personal. At this point Job it would seem that Job has already lost everything—his wealth, his livelihood, and his family. But Satan isn't done with him yet. There is another conversation between Satan and God, similar to the one we saw yesterday.

Today we meet Job. He is described as being "blameless and upright". He is a holy man who trusts in God. He's got a wonderful family, makes a great living, and starts off every day in prayer and making sacrifices to God. He is what we all strive to be, a living saint.