How are we justified? Can we justify ourselves through any action of our own? Often we think that because followed our perceived rules that we should automatically be justified. Can the events of our life give us a valid picture of God’s view of us? We cannot fathom what God is purposing to accomplish through us. We set ourselves up for disappointment when we believe that our relationship with God is based on giving and taking. The moments of trouble and trial or peace and quiet that we endure are all ordained and allowed by God to bring glory to Himself. Continue Reading…
Tag Archive - Job
Yeah justified oh blessed thought: Psalm 26
Peace, hope and purpose found in a proper perspective: Job Summary
The story in the book of Job is portrayed on two distinct levels. At the macro-level we see the impetus for the calamity that befalls Job when God discusses His servant with Satan resulting in God allowing Satan to bring calamity upon Job. On the micro-level we see the loss of family, wealth and health for Job along with the futile comfort offered by his friends Zophar, Bildad and Eliphaz. How do we cope when calamities come upon us when outwardly we only see our life from the midst of trouble and tribulation? Can hope be had in the midst of calamity? How do we deal with the anger and despair that vies for our attention when we are in the midst of trouble?
Job was faced with his way of life being disturbed and radically changed when his children, livestock and health were struck by Satan. Job had no foreknowledge that these events that transformed his life were ordained and allowed by God. His main concern was questioning why these events happened to him, an upright man who sought God above all. The knowledge and faith that Job had in God was great but his perspective on his situation was fixed inwardly and not upon God. Continue Reading…
Transformed upon seeing God: Job 41 and 42
What things do we fear? We fear wild animals that savagely hunt their prey. In the open ocean we fear sharks and other creatures of the deep. Imagine the fierce destructive power of earthquakes, volcanos, tornadoes and hurricanes, we fear these natural disasters that make us completely helpless. We fear financial distress caused from job loss and economic turmoil. We have taken the awe, wonder, and fear we once held of God and and elevated the things of this world to be worthy enough to hold our fear. Continue Reading…
Proper perspective brings awe, wonder and silence: Job 39 and 40
Feel the weight of the greatness of God! Sit in awe of the majesty of the One who created the heavens and the earth! I implore you today to read Job chapter 39. Do you sense the hope found in the power of God? When the calamities of life over take you will you find hope? The wondrous truths you will savor in those thirty verses will give you perspective of our great God. Who is it that cares for the wild animals allowing them to give birth, live free and thrive? Who protects the young animals in the wild? Who created the diverse animals we see throughout creation? It is the amazing God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob who did these things and more. Continue Reading…
God’s splendor and majesty is greater than you think: Job 37 and 38
In our boastful claims of God’s splendor and majesty do we truly believe what we are saying? In Job 37 does Elihu believe that God’s voice is as thunder? Does he believe that God is all powerful that whatever He speaks instantly comes to fruition? Elihu proclaims the wonder of God but does he stand in awe and wonder of God? What are some of the attributes of God? God is all powerful, all knowing, mighty, holy and the creator of all things. Do I believe these things? Do I think that God is really there? Do I live out my day to day existence knowing that God is actively aware of what is transpiring? When Job, Zophar, Bildad, Eliphaz and Elihu speak of God the creator all things, do they have a proper perspective of God that had transformed their hearts? Do we live with a proper perspective of God? Continue Reading…
Do your words bring comfort to hurting hearts: Job 35 and 36
What is the point of Elihu’s discord after the discussion of Job, Zophar, Bildad and Eliphaz? I find myself reading the words that Elihu spoke with great caution. Why is this? What about the words of Elihu make me wary? What was the motive of this young man? Does Elihu have a greater degree of head knowledge concerning God only to have little of that knowledge transform his heart? I cannot know the heart of Elihu but it seems that there is an underlying self righteousness to Elihu’s arguments.
“How much less when you say you do not behold Him, the case is before Him, and you must wait for Him! And now, because He has not visited in His anger, nor has He acknowledged transgression well, so Job opens his mouth emptily; he multiplies words without knowledge.” Job 35:14-16 Continue Reading…
Foolishness of youth touted as wisdom: Job 33 and 34
How would you feel, a in Job’s place, three of your friends have offered little comfort and continually refuted your words? Your friends are finally silent, no longer throwing accusations back at you, when a young man who was listening to your conversation decides to speak his mind. How would you react? I have had discussions with friends that random strangers feel compelled to join. It took a lot of restraint for me to not want to turn all my anger upon this person who butted into my private conversation. I have never been in such a place of despair and grief as Job to have someone decide they need to be heard. Elihu speaks to Job, his elder, as a one who thinks that his wisdom is greatest of all. Can the people of the younger generation so easily speak out against the wisdom of their elders? Continue Reading…
A covenant with my heart, mind, soul, and strength: Job 31 and 32
“I have made a covenant with my eyes; How then could I gaze at a virgin?” Job 31:1 What is Job saying? What is the impact of this statement? Is the chapter talking only about sexual lust? Can we withstand temptation if we have not set our hearts first to follow only the things of God? When Job says that he has made a covenant with his eyes to not look with lust upon a virgin, he has set himself toward looking away from what his eyes inherently want to lust after. In the same way today we need to set our heart, mind, soul and strength on the things of God long before we wade through our daily routine. Hope in the moment of temptation will be found when you find yourself desiring God above the lustful things of this world. Continue Reading…
Contrast shows peoples true feelings: Job 29 and 30
Do we long for the glorious past? Do we sometimes think that God has forgotten us? In Job 29 and 30 Job reflects on everything that has changed since the calamity fell upon him. As Job speaks we get a greater understanding and picture of his life. Prior to losing his children, livelihood and health, Job’s life was marked by renown, admiration, respect, notoriety, charity and compassion. People looked at Job with an awe and wonder at all that he was blessed with and all that he did for others. Did this acknowledgement from men cause pride to develop in Job? After suffering so much loss Job was taunted, spit upon and talked about as he suffered persecution and cruelty from those who once looked up to him. There is a stark contrast between the life of Job before and after the troubling times. Continue Reading…
Riches of man cannot obtain the strength of Calvary: Job 27 and 28
Where will we find hope? When life is over and all the works of our hands are reckoned before God, what assurance will we have? Will God hear our lament in distress? The ways of the wicked will not go on forever; all mankind will stand and give an account for their actions and those that chose to abide in their sinfulness will find no hope. There is nothing that a man earn or create during their life that will grant security when life comes to an end. Help and deliverance can only come from outside of the ability of man. Did Job believe that in God alone was his only source for deliverance? Continue Reading…
