February 11, 2026

Today's Reading: Job 7:1-21

Daily Lectionary: John 4:7-26

“What is man, that you make so much of him, and that you set your heart on him, visit him every morning and test him every moment?” (Job 7:17-18)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Not the most uplifting text from Job 7, is it? So much so that I almost didn’t pick it.  

Job wasn’t very happy…and why should he be? His life was in shambles, a complete disaster. He lost children, servants, animals, everything! And in His sorrow and depression, he has the wherewithal to write it all down? Not to be mean, but who would want to read an entire chapter of complaining? Did you happen to catch the title of Job 7? “My life has no hope.” It is a Biblical temper tantrum!  

And yet, in the midst of his frustrations, there is a clear Gospel message. Look at verses 1-21 again. Did you see it? Probably not. But, I promise it is there!  

Think about this. Job is complaining to no end, having a bit of a hissy fit. Who, I ask you, heard that hissy fit? Who heard Job as he complained about his miserable life?  

God! Job felt unrighteous and unworthy in every way. Even though he felt that he had been abandoned to Sheol, even though he felt lonely, sad, and even a bit depressed, guess what? It was only a feeling. And that feeling was far from the truth. God was there. The truth is, though Job had lost so much, though He felt like all was lost and that he was alone, God never left Job’s side!  

You might not feel all that different from Job. Abandoned, lonely, depressed, unholy, unworthy of the love of the Father.   

And yet, God is as near to you as He was to Job! You are in His presence daily because He is always with you. Through Confession and Absolution, He purifies you and brings you into His presence as you come into His holy house to be served by Him each Lord’s Day.  

This was the same truth for the woman in our other reading today from John 4, whom Jesus encountered at the well. She didn’t belong in the presence of Jesus any more than Jesus belonged at the well at high noon. And yet, the love of Jesus knows no barriers. He doesn’t come only to those who are worthy and pure. For Jesus Himself says, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10) He Himself is the purifier and perfector of all things through His death upon the cross.    

And what joy, He comes, calls, and purifies you for His name’s sake. Thanks be to God.  

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Just as I am, without one plea But that Thy blood was shed for me And that Thou bidd’st me come to Thee O Lamb of God I come, I come. (LSB 570:1)

Rev. Timothy Chase, pastor at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Truman, MN

Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lowell, IN.

Better understand difficult and overlooked Old Testament passages in this new book by Authors R. Reed Lessing and Andrew E. Steinmann. Their conversational yet academic writing style makes learning about the Old Testament accessible to those at all points in their Bible reading journey. Discussion questions at the end of each chapter invite you to think more in-depth about what you just read and record your answers. To stretch your understanding, a list of resources for further reading is also included at the back of the book.