Scripture Reflection by Sang Sur on Job 31:16-21 posted May 27, 2025 - Prayer Tents
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Job stands on his good deeds, his failure.
Unfortunately, when things go rough for us, our frail flesh will point back to good things we have done.
Though Job's friends were mostly wrong, Job believed he was righteous. Indeed, in comparison to many people, Job feared God and lived a better life, but that still would not stand against the perfect holiness of God.
Our good deeds happen because we recognize God's love and grace towards us, and we simply do them as thanks. But in our hard times, it might be easy to claim them as our righteousness—it is a failure on our part.
No, Job did not do any wrong to "deserve" the bad circumstances as his friends say, but God is in control, and did what was good and right. Job should not have claimed righteousness by his actions or his past, but thank God and trust that He will break through.
How hard that is for us, but that is the message. God has been good to Job from the beginning to the end, and He will do likewise for us.
16“Have I ignored the needs of the poor, turned my back on the indigent, 17Taken care of my own needs and fed my own face while they languished? 18Wasn’t my home always open to them? Weren’t they always welcome at my table? 19“Have I ever left a poor family shivering in the cold when they had no warm clothes? 20Didn’t the poor bless me when they saw me coming, knowing I’d brought coats from my closet? 21“If I’ve ever used my strength and influence to take advantage of the unfortunate,
Job 31:16-21 (MSG)

Scriptures Marked by Sang Sur
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Tuesday, May 27, 2025
Job stands on his good deeds, his failure. Unfortunately, when things go rough for us, our frail flesh will point back to good things we have done. Though Job's friends were mostly wrong, Job belie... [see more]
Job stands on his good deeds, his failure. Unfortunately, when things go rough for us, our frail flesh will point back to good things we have done. Though Job's friends were mostly wrong, Job belie... [see more]
Monday, May 26, 2025
True wisdom is found in God alone, so why search any where else? The revealed portion of wisdom is in the Bible. The parts to dig out and learn are found as we walk with Him in deep fellowship.
True wisdom is found in God alone, so why search any where else? The revealed portion of wisdom is in the Bible. The parts to dig out and learn are found as we walk with Him in deep fellowship.
Friday, May 23, 2025
Yes, He is God. Our businesses can succeed or fail, and it might not be dependent on our faith or trust in Him. He might allow things to go poorly, and He might be planning a sudden success shortly, ... [see more]
Yes, He is God. Our businesses can succeed or fail, and it might not be dependent on our faith or trust in Him. He might allow things to go poorly, and He might be planning a sudden success shortly, ... [see more]
Friday, May 23, 2025
Job is still speaking sense, while his "friends" rebuke him about how poorly Job lived. Instead of thinking like the "friends" who believed in straight logic (if then) without realizing they do not k... [see more]
Job is still speaking sense, while his "friends" rebuke him about how poorly Job lived. Instead of thinking like the "friends" who believed in straight logic (if then) without realizing they do not k... [see more]
Thursday, May 22, 2025
Zophar explains the truth, but it is actually what Job said! It is as if he is just trying to show who's boss, even though he repeats what Job said and believed. Job recognized is cannot be right bef... [see more]
Zophar explains the truth, but it is actually what Job said! It is as if he is just trying to show who's boss, even though he repeats what Job said and believed. Job recognized is cannot be right bef... [see more]
Thursday, May 22, 2025
He is God. Job looked at things from his being the center, while the reality is God at the center. Job described correctly that he has not done wrong and perhaps his little mistake, which he cannot ... [see more]
He is God. Job looked at things from his being the center, while the reality is God at the center. Job described correctly that he has not done wrong and perhaps his little mistake, which he cannot ... [see more]
Thursday, May 22, 2025
You are God.... Let that be our silent meditation in all our troubles, recognizing the just God will always being about what is right.
You are God.... Let that be our silent meditation in all our troubles, recognizing the just God will always being about what is right.
Thursday, May 22, 2025
Job responds correctly to the incorrect theology of Bildad. How can any of us be right in comparison to the always-right God? Better is to give up and thank God for His mercies.
Job responds correctly to the incorrect theology of Bildad. How can any of us be right in comparison to the always-right God? Better is to give up and thank God for His mercies.
Sunday, May 18, 2025
God has a purpose for us! In this mockery, we can find the opposite to be true. Habakkuk, in his anger and frustrations, yells out that we are like fish who act without purpose. They just go where th... [see more]
God has a purpose for us! In this mockery, we can find the opposite to be true. Habakkuk, in his anger and frustrations, yells out that we are like fish who act without purpose. They just go where th... [see more]
Thursday, May 15, 2025
Business of Christianity. In this world, we have workers in the church who does it like a job in the corporate world. Unfortunately, some ,"churches" have accepted their call to resemble the corporat... [see more]
Business of Christianity. In this world, we have workers in the church who does it like a job in the corporate world. Unfortunately, some ,"churches" have accepted their call to resemble the corporat... [see more]
Thursday, May 8, 2025
What does it mean for us to know God? It has to be a transformed life, one whose heart is for God, one who seeks after holiness (despite our failures). Many church goers will say they know God, but t... [see more]
What does it mean for us to know God? It has to be a transformed life, one whose heart is for God, one who seeks after holiness (despite our failures). Many church goers will say they know God, but t... [see more]
Saturday, May 3, 2025
God is aware of our suffering, and God will reward them. He will fill them with great joy! This is a promise from God. Let us persevere trusting Him recognizing He sees all the injustices and will ma... [see more]
God is aware of our suffering, and God will reward them. He will fill them with great joy! This is a promise from God. Let us persevere trusting Him recognizing He sees all the injustices and will ma... [see more]
Saturday, May 3, 2025
The best things in life are free. In a world where money is God for many, we are demoralized when we don't have, enough. But God's grace is free. His dwelling among us is free. The relationships He ... [see more]
The best things in life are free. In a world where money is God for many, we are demoralized when we don't have, enough. But God's grace is free. His dwelling among us is free. The relationships He ... [see more]
Wednesday, April 30, 2025
The rewards... the blessings of God being with us in all we do. Yes! His Word, His ways are worth it!
The rewards... the blessings of God being with us in all we do. Yes! His Word, His ways are worth it!
Sunday, April 20, 2025
What to do in a crazy economy and uncertain future? When one cannot find a job or a business venture that will work? When one is physically debilated and cannot find a cure? The answer is the same, a... [see more]
What to do in a crazy economy and uncertain future? When one cannot find a job or a business venture that will work? When one is physically debilated and cannot find a cure? The answer is the same, a... [see more]
Sunday, April 20, 2025
Our worry should not be worries like the people of the world. Our worries should be God, and His holiness. Practically, work, family, and everything that can be complacent (run on auto-pilot) should... [see more]
Our worry should not be worries like the people of the world. Our worries should be God, and His holiness. Practically, work, family, and everything that can be complacent (run on auto-pilot) should... [see more]
Saturday, April 19, 2025
What is wrong with meetings, meetings, and meetings? When there is no change, no transformation of the heart. Continued living like the rest of the world and not having regards for sin. What is... [see more]
What is wrong with meetings, meetings, and meetings? When there is no change, no transformation of the heart. Continued living like the rest of the world and not having regards for sin. What is... [see more]
Friday, April 18, 2025
We see women in roles that were traditionally given to men, but it is when the people of God are in a downward spiral. Just like the book of Judges when Deborah was a judge, the people of Israel has a... [see more]
We see women in roles that were traditionally given to men, but it is when the people of God are in a downward spiral. Just like the book of Judges when Deborah was a judge, the people of Israel has a... [see more]
Friday, April 18, 2025
Revival. When we realize how far we have fallen from the standards of God and turn in repentance and to God.
Revival. When we realize how far we have fallen from the standards of God and turn in repentance and to God.
Thursday, April 17, 2025
Go back?! That's the message we often hate to hear from our employers, wives, or anyone else. "I've gone to do the job I was told, so there!", is probably the message we utter from our mouths. But ... [see more]
Go back?! That's the message we often hate to hear from our employers, wives, or anyone else. "I've gone to do the job I was told, so there!", is probably the message we utter from our mouths. But ... [see more]
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
What to do when we hear bad news, especially when we need to take action as a result of it. Go to God and ask for direction and provision.
What to do when we hear bad news, especially when we need to take action as a result of it. Go to God and ask for direction and provision.
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Measure of a good king (boss, father, leader, _____). Trusts God with all his heart.
Measure of a good king (boss, father, leader, _____). Trusts God with all his heart.
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Why did the people of Israel come to ruin? Because they followed the ways others lived, turning away from a better standard. Don't people of today do the same?
Why did the people of Israel come to ruin? Because they followed the ways others lived, turning away from a better standard. Don't people of today do the same?
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
How were these young kings to know how to rule and live rightly? They needed to know the Scripture and the right way that it teaches to live. Since Scriptures became further and further as the people... [see more]
How were these young kings to know how to rule and live rightly? They needed to know the Scripture and the right way that it teaches to live. Since Scriptures became further and further as the people... [see more]
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Our true faith is determined over time, especially as things become well (or at peace where we are). A truly faithful person would honor God and seek Him for more when things are easy and well.
Our true faith is determined over time, especially as things become well (or at peace where we are). A truly faithful person would honor God and seek Him for more when things are easy and well.
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
God's wonderful protection over us. Yet, we can remember the discipline God gave as well. Our struggle might not be from the enemy, they are good things for us, to be holy as our Father. Yet, our en... [see more]
God's wonderful protection over us. Yet, we can remember the discipline God gave as well. Our struggle might not be from the enemy, they are good things for us, to be holy as our Father. Yet, our en... [see more]
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Our real treasure. We wouldn't care about losing anything else recognizing we have what is good and lasts.
Our real treasure. We wouldn't care about losing anything else recognizing we have what is good and lasts.
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Instead of sacrifices (doing religious things), God is looking for our hearts to trust Him and walk in His ways. His ways are always better than what we understanding. Listening and doing shows our t... [see more]
Instead of sacrifices (doing religious things), God is looking for our hearts to trust Him and walk in His ways. His ways are always better than what we understanding. Listening and doing shows our t... [see more]
Monday, April 14, 2025
God tends to have mercy when we turn to Him for help. It is those times we should fully turn to Him. There is an end when God will no longer show mercy.
God tends to have mercy when we turn to Him for help. It is those times we should fully turn to Him. There is an end when God will no longer show mercy.
Monday, April 14, 2025
We will know God's ways and will want to follow them. That is the promise of God.
We will know God's ways and will want to follow them. That is the promise of God.
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