TODAY’S READING: Exodus 1–4:17, 1 Chronicles 6:1-3

WORD OF THE DAY: Protest

We are officially in a new book and a new month! Today we move from the patient endurance of Job to the high-stakes history of Exodus. After 300 years of silence, the cries of the Israelites have reached heaven, and God is ready to act. But His chosen vessel, Moses, isn’t exactly jumping at the opportunity.

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Moses’s life has been a series of “out of place” moments. A Hebrew raised by Egyptians, a prince turned fugitive, and now a shepherd in Midian. When God appears in the burning bush, Moses doesn’t see a promotion; he sees a problem. He protests five different times! He questions his own identity, his speaking ability, and eventually, his willingness.

Our Word of the Day is Protest.

To protest is to object firmly. Moses’s problem wasn’t a lack of ability—it was a lack of willingness. He pleaded with God, “Please send anyone else!” How often do we do the same? We look at the “hard history” of our own lives or the difficult assignments God gives us, and we start listing our deficiencies.

Tricia and Michelle reminded us today that God didn’t answer Moses’s “Who am I?” with a pep talk. He didn’t try to build up Moses’s self-esteem. He simply said, “I will be with you.” That is the secret to moving past our protests. It doesn’t matter who we are; it matters who HE is.

What is your “Burning Bush” moment right now? Is God asking you to do something hard—like leave a toxic situation, serve someone selflessly, or take a leap of faith? What is your biggest protest, and how does God’s presence answer it?

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Father God, thank You that You hear our groaning and remember Your promises. Forgive us for the times we protest Your calling because we feel inadequate. Help us to stop looking at our own hands and start looking at Your presence. Thank You for being the “I AM” in our lives. Whatever we face today, we trust that You are with us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

TODAY’S READING: Job 38–40:5

WORD OF THE DAY: Creation

Imagine sitting in the dust, covered in sores, having lost everything, and suddenly the sky turns dark and a Whirlwind begins to roar. This isn’t just a storm; it’s the voice of the Creator. Today, God stops the arguments of men and begins a line of questioning that leaves Job—and us—completely speechless.

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God’s “science lesson” covers everything from the foundations of the earth to the instincts of the wild goat. He even highlights the ostrich—a bird God intentionally “deprived of wisdom.” Tricia shared about her Safari in Kenya and how seeing the raw, wild order of the Masai Mara brought the verses of Job to life. When we see the complexity of a cell or the vastness of the Savannah, we realize that God isn’t just “big”—He is intimately involved in the systems of life.

Our Word of the Day is Creation.

Creation is the act of bringing something into existence out of nothing. Michelle noted that this doesn’t just apply to physical things, but to language. God created the very words we use to describe His majesty.

In Chapter 40, God asks the ultimate reality-check question: “Do you still want to argue with the Almighty?” Job’s response is the turning point of his heart. He realizes he is nothing compared to the One who set the boundaries for the sea.

Job decided to “cover his mouth with his hand.” What is one area of your life where you have been “arguing with the Almighty” lately? How can looking at His creation today help you move toward trust instead of interrogation?

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Lord God, we are in awe of Your staggering power. Thank You for the gift of Your creation—from the stars You guide to the language we use to praise You. When we feel overwhelmed by our own “whirlwinds,” help us to remember that You are the one who laid the foundations of the earth. We choose to trust Your wisdom over our own understanding. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

TODAY’S READING: Job 35–37

WORD OF THE DAY: Messy

Elihu is still talking today, and he isn’t pulling any punches. He accuses Job of talking “nonsense” and heaping up words without knowledge. While Elihu lacks humility (he even claims to be “perfect in knowledge”!), he does get one thing right: questioning God’s justice is a dangerous game.

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Sometimes, the most spiritual thing we can do is admit that life is Messy. Michelle shared a vivid word picture of file folders scattered across a floor, with a muddy dog running over them. That is what trauma and grief feel like. Our brains don’t “compute” the way they should, and the answers we want aren’t always available.

Our Word of the Day is Messy.

But here’s the thing: messy isn’t a sin. Job was messy. His grief was loud, his questions were pointed, and his heart was troubled. Yet, as Charles Spurgeon once said, he learned to “kiss the wave that strikes me against the Rock of Ages.”

Tricia shared a powerful story about a messy relationship with her adopted teens—how being “nice” wasn’t working, but a firm, honest rebuke eventually saved the relationship. Sometimes we have to wade into the mess and speak hard truths to find the beauty on the other side

Are you trying to be “neat and nice” with God today, or are you willing to bring Him your mess? What “file folder” in your life do you need to hand over to the One who brings order to chaos?

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Father God, we thank You that You are Sovereign over the mess. When our lives feel like a Whirlwind and our thoughts are scattered like files on the floor, remind us that You are still on the throne. Give us the courage to be honest with ourselves and others. Transform us through the mess, and help us to always remember that You are right, even when we don’t understand. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

TODAY’S READING: Job 32–34

WORD OF THE DAY: Listen

Have you ever been “bursting” to say something? Today we meet Elihu, who has been sitting on the sidelines watching Job and his three friends debate for chapters. He finally explodes onto the scene, comparing himself to a “cask of wine without a vent.”

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Elihu brings a fascinating new perspective. He speaks of a “mediator” or “interpreter”—one among a thousand who can intercede and find a ransom for a person’s life. This Messianic prophecy was so powerful that Jews later read it on the Day of Atonement. Yet, Elihu also falls into the same trap as the older friends: he lacks compassion and eventually accuses Job of adding rebellion to his sin.

Our Word of the Day is Listen.

As Stephen Covey famously said, “Most people do not listen with intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.” This is exactly what we see in Job’s friends. They weren’t listening to Job’s heart; they were just waiting for him to stop talking so they could prove their point.

Michelle introduced us to the Hebrew word Shama. In the biblical world, hearing and doing are two sides of the same coin. To truly listen to God is to act on what He says. When Jesus said, “Listen, O Israel,” He was calling them to a lifestyle of active obedience.

Think about your most recent conversation. Were you truly listening to understand the other person’s feelings, or were you just “processing” what you were going to say next? How can you practice Shama in your home today?

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Father, thank You that You are a God who listens. Thank You that You had regard for Abel, found Hagar, and had compassion on Lot. Help us to be active listeners today. May we pause long enough to hear Your whispers and respond with obedience. Give us hearts of compassion for those who are hurting. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

TODAY’S READING: Job 30–31

WORD OF THE DAY: Dust

Job is completely anguished today. He says his prosperity has vanished like a cloud and he feels thrown into the mud. Tricia shared how this reminds her of the research for her first novel, From Dust and Ashes, about the liberation of a concentration camp. When we look at the "desolation and desolated" places of history—and our own lives—it can feel like God has stopped answering.

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But even in the dust, there is a different perspective. Michelle shared a memory of her grandmother dusting the house once a week. To “dust” something is to expose the finer material underneath. Job wasn’t hiding his life behind a layer of dross; he was willing to let his heart be exposed and examined by God.

Our Word of the Day is Dust.

We are made from dust, and to dust we shall return. But what happens in between matters! Our struggles today—whether it’s caring for an elderly parent, facing a difficult marriage, or grieving a loss—are being used by God to “dust off” our pride and self-seeking.

Someday, the things you are wrestling with right now will become your victory of faith. They will be the stories you share to give someone else hope. Don’t be afraid of the “dust” in your hand today; God is still the one who breathed life into it.

In Job 31:33, Job asks if he has tried to hide his sins like others do. Is there a “layer of dust” in your life—a secret sin or a hidden hurt—that you need to let God gently brush away today?

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Father, thank You that You breathed Your life into the dust to create us. We thank You for the life of Job, which gives us a roadmap through the dark valleys. Please be gentle as You “dust” our hearts. Expose the beauty of Christ in us and help us to leave a legacy of faith for those who come after us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

TODAY’S READING: Job 26–29

WORD OF THE DAY: Reflect

Did you know that Job—one of the oldest books in the Bible—mentions that God “hangs the earth on nothing”? Long before modern telescopes, Job was in awe of the scientific precision of the Creator. He understood that the same God who set the boundary between day and night was the one holding his life together, even when it felt like it was falling apart.

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In Job 28, we read a fascinating description of ancient mining. Job notes that men will go to great depths to find gold and precious stones, but they can’t “dig up” wisdom. Wisdom is a gift from God. Tricia shared a powerful story about this today—how choosing God’s wisdom (Grace) over “human wisdom” (demanding payback) saved her relationship with her daughter.

Job spends chapter 29 reflecting on the “good old days.” We’ve all been there—longing for the time when the kids were little, or when life felt predictable and safe. But as Michelle reminded us, the “squeeze points” of life are often where God softens us and captivates our hearts in a way that comfort never could.

When we reflect on our past, let’s not just look at what we lost. Let’s look at how God protected us. Even in the chaos, His hand was there, weaving a story of mercy that we are only beginning to understand.

Job 29:4 mentions that “God’s friendship was felt” in his home. In the middle of your current trial, what are the small ways you can feel God’s friendship today? Is it a kind word, a sunset, or a moment of peace?

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Lord, we are in awe of Your creation—from the stars in the northern sky to the gems hidden in the earth. Thank You that Your wisdom is available to us if we only ask. As we reflect on our lives today, help us to see Your grace in the hard chapters and Your protection in the chaos. Captivate our hearts anew. In Jesus’ name, Amen

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TODAY’S READING: Job 22–25

WORD OF THE DAY: Pure

Have you ever heard of “dramatic irony”? It’s when the reader knows something the characters don’t. As we read Job, we know God has called him “blameless,” but Job’s friend Eliphaz is busy accusing him of crushing widows and orphans. It’s painful to watch Eliphaz—a man from a city famous for wisdom—be so incredibly wrong.

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It’s a warning to us all: wisdom without empathy is just noise. Eliphaz tried to shame Job back into “righteousness,” but Job was already there. Job’s response is one for the ages: “He knows where I am going. And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold.”

Purity doesn’t happen in the absence of heat; it happens because of it. Tricia shared how adopting children from trauma stripped away her pride and “refined” her mothering. Michelle’s friend Sabrina, who lost her husband young, described it as a “Firm Foundation” that doesn’t change regardless of tragedy.

When we are pressed, what is inside comes out. If we are filled with Christ, then under pressure, the life of Jesus is what is revealed.

Are you in a season of “extreme surrender”? That place where it’s just you and God, and you’ve decided that even if the road stays hard, You are enough? That is where the gold is found.

Job 23:10 says God knows where you are going. If you knew for a fact that you would come out of your current trial “as pure as gold,” how would that change your attitude toward the “heat” today?

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Father, thank You that You are the Refiner. Thank You that You never turn up the heat without a purpose. We pray for those in the middle of the fire right now—those who feel afflicted, perplexed, and struck down. Remind them today that they are not destroyed. Help us to surrender extremely to Your will. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

TODAY’S READING: Job 19–21

WORD OF THE DAY: Pause

Have you ever felt “boxed in” by your circumstances? Job is right there today. He feels attacked by God and insulted by his friends. Charles Spurgeon said Job’s friends were like people breaking stones on the roadside with their hard words. It’s a reminder that sometimes our “advice” can be a razor that cuts deeper than the trial itself.

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But then, in Job 19, the mood shifts. In one of the most famous declarations in the Bible, Job declares: “I know that my Redeemer lives.” Think about that! Thousands of years before Jesus walked the earth, Job had a personal acquaintance with a God who avenges and redeems. He didn’t just have a “Creed”; he had a Redeemer.

Michelle shared how uncomfortable silence can be when a friend is crying. We want to reply because we are “greatly disturbed” by their pain. But Job’s friends were most helpful when they said nothing at all during those first seven days. Sometimes, the best way to love someone is to pause, listen, and pray.

Tricia had a major “aha” moment this week. For years, she struggled with why a loving God would allow Satan to test Job. But what if God allowed it because He had so much confidence in Job? What if our pain isn’t just a lesson, but a lifeline meant to shape us into something beautiful?

Whether you’re in the fire or standing on the sidelines watching a friend burn, remember that our current sufferings aren’t even worth comparing to the glory that will be revealed.

Job 19:25 says, “I know that MY Redeemer lives.” Is Jesus your Redeemer today? If you feel distant, how can you “pause” and invite Him back into the center of your struggle?

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Father, thank You that My Redeemer lives! Thank You that even when I feel alone, forgotten, or misunderstood, You are standing by. Give us the wisdom to pause before we speak into someone else’s pain. For anyone feeling distant from You today, let this be the moment they turn back and find Your comfort. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

TODAY’S READING: Job 15–18

WORD OF THE DAY: Accuse

“What miserable comforters you are!” Job’s words to Eliphaz today probably resonate with anyone who has ever been “kicked while they were down.” Eliphaz and Bildad have moved from silent companions to vocal accusers, insisting that Job’s suffering is proof of hidden wickedness.

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Job’s response is raw. He describes God as a giant who has “broken him” and “snapped his teeth” at him. It sounds like a spiritual temper tantrum, doesn’t it? But as Tricia shared about her two-year-old grandson, a loving parent isn’t threatened by a child’s frustration. God is big enough to handle Job’s accusations because He knows the end of the story.

Our Word of the Day is Accuse.

To accuse is to charge someone with an offense. Job was being accused by his friends of sin, and in his pain, he began accusing God of ill will. It’s a messy, painful cycle. But in the middle of the mess, Job drops a diamond of truth: “My advocate is there on high.”

Job was longing for a mediator—someone to stand between a holy God and a suffering man. We have the benefit of knowing that this mediator is Jesus Christ. He doesn’t just mediate a dispute; He takes our guilt upon Himself so we can approach God’s throne with confidence.

If you are wrestling with God today, don’t stop. Stay in the conversation. God hasn’t given up on Job, and He hasn’t given up on you. He is watching with silent compassion, waiting for the moment to reveal His goodness.

Job 16:19 speaks of an Advocate in heaven. When you feel falsely accused by others (or by your own guilt), how does it feel to know that Jesus is currently interceding for you?

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Father, thank You that You are not a God who walks away when we are frustrated. Thank You that You can handle our questions, our tears, and even our accusations. We praise You for Jesus, our perfect Mediator, who made a way for us to be reconciled to You. Help us to be “good comforters” to those around us today. Amen.

TODAY’S READING: Job 12–14

WORD OF THE DAY: Defense

“You people know everything, don’t you? And when you die, wisdom will die with you!”

If you’ve ever felt a bit “snappy” when you’re in pain, you’re in good company with Job. Today, Job is officially fed up with his friends’ one-size-fits-all theology. They keep telling him that if he just repents, the sun will shine again. But Job knows his God, and he knows his own heart. He isn’t being prideful; he’s being honest.

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Oswald Chambers once said that Job had to give up on his prior understanding of God, but he never gave up on God Himself. Sometimes, our “Creed” has to crumble so that our relationship with the Creator can become real. Job starts building his case like an attorney in a courtroom, pleading his innocence and asking God for a “day in court.”

Our Word of the Day is Defense.

Michelle shared a powerful story about being falsely accused and her father (an actual attorney!) telling her: “God is your Defender. You don’t have to speak a word.” That is a hard truth to swallow when you want to fight back, but it is the safest place to be.

Job 14:15 gives us one of the most beautiful images in this book: God yearning for His handiwork. The word “handiwork” implies a masterpiece. Even when Job felt like a withered flower or a passing shadow, he was still God’s masterpiece.

As Tricia shared, we are frail like the grass, but the Word of God—and His love for us—remains forever. Whether you are walking through a tragedy like Toby Mac or just a season where God “doesn’t make sense,” remember that He is rolling up His sleeves on your behalf. He is the Goodness in your life, and He is your ultimate Defender.

Job 14:14 asks, “Can the dead live again?” We know the answer is a resounding YES because of Jesus. How does the hope of eternity change the way you view your “years of struggle” today?

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Father, thank You that You are our Defender. Thank You that when we are wrongly accused or misunderstood, You see the truth. We praise You that we are Your handiwork—Your masterpieces. Help us to trust Your heart when we cannot see Your hand. Strengthen our roots today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.