“The Faith of Abraham Abraham was, humanly speaking, the founder of our Jewish nation. What did he discover about being made right with God? 2 If his good deeds had made him acceptable to God, he would have had something to boast about. But that was not God’s way. 3 For the Scriptures tell us, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.”[a]
4 When people work, their wages are not a gift, but something they have earned. 5 But people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners. 6 David also spoke of this when he described the happiness of those who are declared righteous without working for it:
7 “Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sins are put out of sight. 8 Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of sin.”[b]
9 Now, is this blessing only for the Jews, or is it also for uncircumcised Gentiles?[c] Well, we have been saying that Abraham was counted as righteous by God because of his faith. 10 But how did this happen? Was he counted as righteous only after he was circumcised, or was it before he was circumcised? Clearly, God accepted Abraham before he was circumcised!
11 Circumcision was a sign that Abraham already had faith and that God had already accepted him and declared him to be righteous—even before he was circumcised. So Abraham is the spiritual father of those who have faith but have not been circumcised. They are counted as righteous because of their faith. 12 And Abraham is also the spiritual father of those who have been circumcised, but only if they have the same kind of faith Abraham had before he was circumcised.”
ENCOURAGEMENT
job 7
“Is not all human life a struggle? Our lives are like that of a hired hand, 2 like a worker who longs for the shade, like a servant waiting to be paid. 3 I, too, have been assigned months of futility, long and weary nights of misery. 4 Lying in bed, I think, ‘When will it be morning?’ But the night drags on, and I toss till dawn. 5 My body is covered with maggots and scabs. My skin breaks open, oozing with pus.
Job Cries Out to God 6 “My days fly faster than a weaver’s shuttle. They end without hope. 7 O God, remember that my life is but a breath, and I will never again feel happiness. 8 You see me now, but not for long. You will look for me, but I will be gone. 9 Just as a cloud dissipates and vanishes, those who die[a] will not come back. 10 They are gone forever from their home— never to be seen again.
11 “I cannot keep from speaking. I must express my anguish. My bitter soul must complain. 12 Am I a sea monster or a dragon that you must place me under guard? 13 I think, ‘My bed will comfort me, and sleep will ease my misery,’ 14 but then you shatter me with dreams and terrify me with visions. 15 I would rather be strangled— rather die than suffer like this. 16 I hate my life and don’t want to go on living. Oh, leave me alone for my few remaining days.
17 “What are people, that you should make so much of us, that you should think of us so often? 18 For you examine us every morning and test us every moment. 19 Why won’t you leave me alone, at least long enough for me to swallow! 20 If I have sinned, what have I done to you, O watcher of all humanity? Why make me your target? Am I a burden to you?[b] 21 Why not just forgive my sin and take away my guilt? For soon I will lie down in the dust and die. When you look for me, I will be gone.”
