Job desires to find God and proclaim the wrongs that have happened in Job chapter 23. Would he really argue his case before God? Could any man stand to argue his case before God? The almighty God is so far above our concerns yet He still cares about us. Worship, awe and reverence would be the only thoughts in our mind were God to appear before us. Job knew and understood that God is infinitely greater than himself but he also knew that God cared about him. Does the knowledge that God cared about him make Job more confused? Is it necessary for us to endure difficult moments for us to appreciate God’s reason for ordaining and allowing the situation to happen? Continue Reading…
Tag Archive - Trouble
Hope secured in the mystery of God’s concern for mankind: Job 23 and 24
Sufficiency of God over the friendship of men: Job 19 and 20
What compelled Job’s friends to stay by him after the calamity happened? Did they just want to argue? Was it really their friendship with Job? Why do they insist on making accusation against Job? A true friend will not be one who when life falls apart throws accusations or flees from your presence. ”Pity me, pity me, O you my friends, for the hand of God has struck me. Why do you persecute me as God does, are you not satisfied with my flesh?” Job 19:21,22 We cannot sit and judge the lives of men; it is only for God to judge the heart of men. Continue Reading…
Will faith endure amid a torrent of questions: Job 13 and 14
“Be silent before me so that I may speak; then let come on me what may. Why should I take my flesh in my teeth and put my life in my hands? Though He slay me, I will hope in Him. Nevertheless I will argue my ways before His presence. Listen carefully to my speech, and let my declaration fill your ears. Behold now, I have prepared my case; I know that I will be vindicated. Who will contend with me? For then I would be silent and die.” Job 13:13-19 The end of the first round of discussions between Job, Zophar, Bildad and Eliphaz comes to a close in Job chapters 13 and 14. Continue Reading…
Upon what foundation is true friendship built: Job 5 and 6
“Teach me, and I will be silent; and show me how I have erred. How painful are honest words! But what does your argument prove? Do you intend to reprove my words, when the words of one in despair belong to the wind? You would even cast lots for the orphans and barter over your friend. Now please look at me, and see ifife group I lie to your face. Desist now, let there be no injustice; even desist, my righteousness is yet in it. Is there injustice on my tongue? Cannot my palate discern calamities?” Job 6:24-30 Continue Reading…
One man’s despair is another man’s judgement: Job 3 and 4
In Job chapters 3 and 4 we find Job lamenting his birth and one of his three companions seeks to give consul and help. Have you ever had such a traumatic moment in your life that you felt as if a dark cloud were hanging over your head and all you feel is pain? This is what Job is feeling in chapter three. He wonders if he was born only to have calamity fall upon me, then why be born at all. Is death truly an escape? What is the focus of Job’s feelings and emotions at this point? He is looking inward only and he can not look beyond the pain at this point. “For what I fear comes upon me, and what I dread befalls me. I am not at ease, nor am I quiet, and I am not at rest, but turmoil comes.” Job 3:25,26 How would you endure if you were placed in Job’s position? Would you feel that complete brokenness of your heart? Continue Reading…
Amid the painful moments, do blessings abound: Job 1 and 2
As I read through Job 1 and 2 many questions were brought to mind about the personality and character of Job. What type of father was he and what type of husband? What was the most influencing factor in Job’s life? Did Job express the love of God through his life to those around him? How are parents to instill and encourage a strong faith in God to their children? Did Job condone the feasting of his children? “And then the days of the feast had run their course, Job, would send and consecrate [his children], and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my children have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did continually.” Job 1:5 Continue Reading…
Tears shed in troubled times: 2 Kings 19 and 20
In the moments when your world is crashing down upon you and the outlook for life is bleak how do your reactions and actions portray you? What moments have you faced in life that made your whole world come to a halt? Where did you turn? How did you act? The way we act in the midst of trouble, trial, and tribulation will show who we truly are and what we believe. Do your actions point towards an almighty God who is the wellspring of hope or do your actions lash out against fate and destiny in remorse over your lot in life?
At the end of 2 Kings 18 the Assyrians besiege Judah and Hezekiah the king of Judah found himself in the midst of a moment where he was unsure of the future and hope was dwindling. In the midst of this troubled time Hezekiah seeks out God and He proves himself faithful to Judah by turning away the army of Assyria. Continue Reading…
Hope in God despite trouble, trials, and tribulation: 2 Samuel Summary
What type of leadership is necessary within your family? How do you react to someone who has hurt you and betrayed your trust? How do you survive through life when trouble, trials, and tribulation seem to engulf you? These are some of the questions of life that are answered in 2 Samuel. The book of 2 Samuel builds upon the previous books of the old testament by showing us what clinging to God looks like in life. I found hope to make it through the difficult moments in life as I looked at the life that David lived. He was far from perfect and marked by many faults and failures yet God was completely faithful to David. Continue Reading…
