One answer was clarified – the who will be my boss. The what is in progress – the what will the new charter look like with the updated team structure and org operating model. Thank You Lord for bringing light into the situation so that I could see what used to be hidden. Thank You Lord for being my peace and strength through the times of darkness and lack of clarity. Thank You Lord for allowing Your joy to be my strength.
Would you consider the joining in starting with day 3 of a 3 day challenge in order to be ready to accomplish the plans of God who put you right here and right now for such a day and such a time as this? What if it meant giving up something for today? What if it meant you had to give them up starting today? Would it have to be significant for you to even consider it? Would it have to be person for you to do it?
Let’s share our takeaways from today’s reading! Did you catch and promises to trust? Did you catch any commands to obey? Did you catch any truths to embrace? Did you catch any warnings to heed? Did you catch any encouragement to rest in? What did you learn about God? What did you learn about yourself? What did you learn about the world? What verse stood out most to you today?
If you are interested in getting together or sharing the information together, please let me know through the comment section below, through email, or even through text messages.
Today’s reading from God’s Word – the Bible comes to us from: (I have chosen to use NIV translation, but feel free to choose whichever version you feel more comfortable with)
Ever considered where you came from? What your genealogy is? Who they were? What they were like? Ever reflected on the family tree of Jesus and how God was able to work through it all?
Ever noticed the number 14 in the generational lineage of Jesus?
Will you remember the past and live out your today in a way pleasing or evil in the eyes of God?
When you don’t know what to do will you turn back to God? Will you ask God for wisdom in the very situation you are in?
Will you trust God for provision even if you won’t see where it came from?
God’s ways aren’t our ways, they are better.
Will you remove the evil things in order to bring everyone back to God?
Will you trust God? Will you seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness?
Will you be obedient to God’s instruction for you and your life? Will you be a leader who will lead and guide others in alignment with God’s will in order for God’s anointing to overflow into their lives? Will you allow God’s plan and purpose to lead and guide you?
Will you depend on the Lord? Will you trust in the Lord?
Who are you depending on? Who are you against?
Will you choose life or death? Will you choose eternal life or eternal death? Man can cause death but if we aren’t aligned with God and we come to the judgement seat of God and are cast into the eternal death, it is finished. Yet, if we choose eternal life through Jesus Christ, even if we die we will get to live out the rest of eternity with God.
Turn to God and understand His instruction rather than fearing the threats of man.
Trust in God and allow your faith in Him to overcome fear.
Don’t be fooled by the folly of man. Trust in God.
Will you follow God and allow your obedience in Him to bring God the praise, the honor, and the glory? Will you live a life so that the world will know that the Lord is the only God?
Will you allow the fruit of the spirit to flourish and grow from and through your life?
We need to walk by faith and not by sight. We need to not allow fear of man to keep us from doing what is good and what is right but rather allow our faith to overcome the fear and walk out God’s instruction so that in and through it all He will receive the praise, the honor, and the glory in Jesus’s name. Amen.
As day 8 of 2020 begins, I would hate to miss giving the opportunity to anyone who hasn’t received Jesus into their lives as their Lord and Savior an opportunity to make the decision this early into 2020 and the blessing to get to live out the rest of 2020 in that power and that truth and that hope.
If you would like to receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior, why not join me in this prayer?
Did you pray with me? Would you be willing to leave me a comment so that I can pray with and for you about such an incredible decision? Or if you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment on my blog, why not email or text me instead?
Today’s devotional comes from Life.Church. For more information, please visit www.life.church — Thank you Life.Church for sharing this reading plan through Bible.com
Are you ready? How do you get ready when you aren’t sure what is around the corner? Do you start in God’s Word? Do you start with prayer? Do you just wing it? Where will your hope come from? Where will your help come from? My hope comes from the Lord! My help comes from the Lord! So I will start in God’s Word to get wisdom and allow the comforter and counselor (the Holy Spirit) to guide and guard my heart and mind. I will not lean on my own understanding but rather I will put my trust in God! I wait upon the Lord for I know that through Him I can receive a peace that surpasses all understanding. I know that God is a way maker, miracle worker, promise keeper, and light in the darkness.
Would you consider the 3 day challenge in order to be ready to accomplish the plans of God who put you right here and right now for such a day and such a time as this? What if it meant giving up something for those 3 days? What if it meant you had to give them up starting tomorrow? Would it have to be significant for you to even consider it? Would it have to be person for you to do it?
Let’s share our takeaways from today’s reading! Did you catch and promises to trust? Did you catch any commands to obey? Did you catch any truths to embrace? Did you catch any warnings to heed? Did you catch any encouragement to rest in? What did you learn about God? What did you learn about yourself? What did you learn about the world? What verse stood out most to you today?
If you are interested in getting together or sharing the information together, please let me know through the comment section below, through email, or even through text messages.
Today’s reading from God’s Word – the Bible comes to us from: (I have chosen to use NIV translation, but feel free to choose whichever version you feel more comfortable with)
Do you realize the impact you can have on the future?
Do you realize the impact of your decisions on history?
Do you realize the legacy that you can produce?
Consider the story of Ruth and its impact on the legacy that led to Jesus.
Consider the story of Ruth and its impact on the legacy that led to King David.
Consider the story of Ruth and the impact on the legacy that led to King Solomon.
How will you deal with loss? How will you respond to trials, troubles, and challenges?
Consider the response after such catastrophic loss and how Orpah responded to Naomi.
Consider the response after such catastrophic loss and how Ruth responded to Naomi.
Is it better to go back or to press on?
Is it better to turn away or to turn back?
Will you go it alone? Will you cling to God in the midst of it all?
Will you choose to go where God sends you and to stay where God sends you?
Is God’s plan to work in and through you by pressing on and going into the unknown with Him?
Will you choose to be like Ruth who went with Naomi, into the unknown but knowing who you are following?
Will you choose to receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior and build a relationship with Him and make your life on top of Him as your rock and your foundation? Aligning your life with Him as your cornerstone?
Where will you find favor? In whom will you find favor? Will you go there and work for the glory of God in order to provide for the needs of your family?
Will you trust God and ask, praying God’s favor will lead and guide you? Will Ask, Seek, and Knock until that door opens and you are able to accomplish God’s will and plan and His purpose?
Do you realize that God is going before you to prepare in advance the good work He has for you to accomplish?
Will you live your life out with humility because of the favor You have found thanks to God?
Will God’s peace that surpasses all understanding come over you in order that you are put at ease through His Words in order to be able to step up and step out and be everything that He has purposed and created you to be?
Give credit where credit is due.
Bless those that God has brought across your path to bless.
Stay in the protection of the Lord!
God has a plan and it is for good, He blessed you so that you can be a blessing to others.
God has a purpose for you, He has positioned you for such a day and such a time as this.
God has a way that is better than our own way, decide to follow His way and to pursue His plan and purpose for your life so that in and through your life He will receive the praise, the honor, and the glory in order that the legacy He desires for you may be fulfilled.
Don’t allow fear to rob you of what God has prepared for you.
Allow faith to lead and guide you and to overcome any fear that may come your way so that in and through your faith and obedience, God’s plan will be accomplished.
It is amazing when you study God’s Word how we can see the connection of the past revealed in more recent times. We see how what we read about the genealogy of Jesus we can find in more details in the story of Ruth. We can see how through Ruth and Boaz, a son is board Obed who was the father of Jesse who happens to be the father of David who becomes King David.
It is amazing to see how important genealogy is in the Bible and how through out the generations and the centuries how God’s Word, God’s purposes, and God’s plans is captured and revealed to us.
Let’s do what we are to do according to God’s will. Don’t delay! Don’t put it off! Today, let’s do what God tells us to do!
Questions to consider:
What do you learn about God, about yourself, or about the world?
Is there one verse or thought that stands out to you today?
As day 6 of 2020 begins, I would hate to miss giving the opportunity to anyone who hasn’t received Jesus into their lives as their Lord and Savior an opportunity to make the decision this early into 2020 and the blessing to get to live out the rest of 2020 in that power and that truth and that hope.
If you would like to receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior, why not join me in this prayer?
Did you pray with me? Would you be willing to leave me a comment so that I can pray with and for you about such an incredible decision? Or if you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment on my blog, why not email or text me instead?
Today’s devotional comes from Life.Church. For more information, please visit www.life.church — Thank you Life.Church for sharing this reading plan through Bible.com
Let’s share our takeaways from today’s reading! Did you catch and promises to trust? Did you catch any commands to obey? Did you catch any truths to embrace? Did you catch any warnings to heed? Did you catch any encouragement to rest in? What did you learn about God? What did you learn about yourself? What did you learn about the world? What verse stood out most to you today?
If you are interested in getting together or sharing the information together, please let me know through the comment section below, through email, or even through text messages.
Today’s reading from God’s Word – the Bible comes to us from: (I have chosen to use NIV translation, but feel free to choose whichever version you feel more comfortable with)
If God gives you a calling, will you answer it and believe in it?
Will you believe that God will fulfill His promises in and through your life?
Do you realize the legacy that will come from you because of your belief and obedience to God’s calling on your life?
Do you realize the impact on the world around you because you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior and agreed to follow Him the rest of the days of your life?
Are you willing to walk out your life with humility?
Are you willing to walk out your life in reverence to God?
Don’t allow pride to trip you up or scatter you from where God desires and has planned for you to be!
God will show Himself to be right. People may doubt or worry but God’s plans and purposes are perfect and will point them all back to Himself.
Don’t be swayed by peer pressure or the ways of man, trust God’s plan and way, do it His way and allow Him to work in and through it all. (imagine the people who were there when John the Baptist was to receive his name. imagine their surprise when the mother and father both said it should be John and then Zechariah received his voice back and was able to share the encounter he had in the temple with the angel.)
Doing it God’s way will cause others to anticipate and look for God’s hands and work through your obedience.
Be sensitive to the work of the Holy Spirit in leading and directing your steps, your actions, and your words in order to help you in accomplishing God’s perfect will.
Through Jesus we are able to serve God without fear, in holiness, in righteousness, all the days of our lives.
God has created each of us on purpose, with purpose, and for a purpose.
Will we accept it? Will we receive it? Will we do it? Will we believe? Will we obey?
What wisdom is it that God wants you to share with others?
What instruction is it that God has given you that you can testify about in order to help others learn about forgiveness and grace and mercy?
How will God use us to help people come out of the darkness and the fear and into the light and the peace of God that surpasses all understanding?
How can we serve those God has brought into our lives and across our paths for the glory of His kingdom?
How will you testify to what God has spoken to you?
How will you testify to what God has commanded you?
How will you testify to what God has promised you?
How will you testify to what God had done in and through you?
Has God given you an idea, a promise, a command that has been birthed into you? Have you received it and believed it? Have you obeyed and walked it out? Have you testified to how it was accomplished and what it accomplished in and through you?
In your weakness will you allow God to be your strength?
In your hunger will you allow God to fill you?
Will you testify how God brings death and makes alive?
Will you testify how God brings down and raises up?
Will you testify how God humbles and exalts?
Will you live out a life that is pleasing to God?
Will you live out a life that is faithful to God’s calling and commandments?
Don’t try to go through life in your own strength but rather lean in and lean on God for strength, wisdom, and direction.
God will call you up in the right time!
Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s prompting and direction
Listen to the still quiet voice as He leads and guides your steps
Don’t try to resist or reject God’s ways and commands.
Don’t go against God’s will. Don’t miss the mark and miss out on the intercessor who is Jesus. Don’t reject Jesus. Don’t reject the Holy Spirit. Don’t reject the Father. Allow Jesus to be your Lord and Savior so that as He sits at the right hand of the Father interceding for you and for me, we can be reconciled to God.
Honor God in order that He may honor you
Don’t despise God and have to receive His disdain
Let’s live out our lives as living sacrifices to God, living our lives in accordance to God’s heart and mind.
Record what God has told you, done in and through you, so that you can testify of His great love and miracles.
Will you choose to align with God and do His will?
Will you return to God before it is too late and lose out on your life in this world and the world to come?
Will you align to God and His will before it is too late and judgement comes?
Will you receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior or will you choose to receive judgment based on your own life?
Will you receive judgment or reward?
Will you spend eternity with God or apart from God?
What do you learn about God, about yourself, or about the world?
Is there one verse or thought that stands out to you today?
As day 3 of 2020 begins, I would hate to miss giving the opportunity to anyone who hasn’t received Jesus into their lives as their Lord and Savior an opportunity to make the decision this early into 2020 and the blessing to get to live out the rest of 2020 in that power and that truth and that hope.
If you would like to receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior, why not join me in this prayer?
Did you pray with me? Would you be willing to leave me a comment so that I can pray with and for you about such an incredible decision? Or if you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment on my blog, why not email or text me instead?
Today’s devotional comes from Life.Church. For more information, please visit www.life.church — Thank you Life.Church for sharing this reading plan through Bible.com
Imagine having 4 friends who are trying to give you advice. Imagine those 4 friends give you direction based on their understanding of the situation. Imagine all 4 of them weren’t giving you the right advice because they didn’t have the full context. What would it take for you to understand it? What would it take for you to know what you had to do? What would it take to find the answer? What would it take to find the direction? What would it take to realize how to move forward? Would it take someone knocking on the door? Would it take a shift in mindset? Would it take an encounter with God? Would it take wisdom from God that would provide you with a peace that surpasses all understanding? Would it mean a change in position or direction? Would it mean a change in perspective? What if there was a greater purpose and that purpose was to show God’s glory? Would you be willing to put God first? Would you be willing to allow God’s will to be the priority? Will you say Today God Is First? Will you say TGIF?
Through this time why not humble yourself before God? Through this time why not trust God? Through this time why not live faithfully before God?
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God [set aside self-righteous pride], so that He may exalt you [to a place of honor in His service] at the appropriate time,
‘Then the Lord said to Job, “Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty? Let him who disputes with God answer it.” Then Job replied to the Lord and said, “Behold, I am of little importance and contemptible; what can I reply to You? I lay my hand on my mouth. I have spoken once, but I will not reply again— Indeed, twice [I have answered], and I will add nothing further.”
Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, saying, “Now gird up your loins (prepare yourself) like a man, And I will ask you, and you instruct Me. Will you really annul My judgment and set it aside as void? Will you condemn Me [your God] that you may [appear to] be righteous and justified? Have you an arm like God, And can you thunder with a voice like His? “Adorn yourself with eminence and dignity [since you question the Almighty], And array yourself with honor and majesty. Pour out the overflowings of your wrath, And look at everyone who is proud and make him low. Look at everyone who is proud, and humble him, And [if you are so able] tread down the wicked where they stand. [Crush and] hide them in the dust together; Shut them up in the hidden place [the house of death]. [If you can do all this, Job, proving your divine power] then I [God] will also praise you and acknowledge That your own right hand can save you.
“Behold now, Behemoth, which I created as well as you; He eats grass like an ox. See now, his strength is in his loins And his power is in the muscles and sinews of his belly. He sways his tail like a cedar; The tendons of his thighs are twisted and knit together [like a rope]. His bones are tubes of bronze; His limbs are like bars of iron. “He is the first [in magnitude and power] of the works of God; [Only] He who made him can bring near His sword [to master him]. Surely the mountains bring him food, And all the wild animals play there. He lies down under the lotus plants, In the hidden shelter of the reeds in the marsh. The lotus plants cover him with their shade; The willows of the brook surround him. If a river rages and overflows, he does not tremble; He is confident, though the Jordan [River] swells and rushes against his mouth. Can anyone capture him when he is on watch, Or pierce his nose with barbs [to trap him]?’
Today’s summary from the study notes: Job Chapter 40 Explained(visit the links above to dig in deeper verse by verse):
Verses 1-2: God again challenged Job to respond: would he dare to bring charges against Him? Job had accused God; now God asked what right he had to do so.
Verses 3-5: Job’s first response to God was I am guilty as charged. I will say not more. He knows he should not have found fault with the Almighty. He should not have insisted on his own understanding. He should not have thought God unjust. So he was reduced to silence at last.
Job’s reply is one of humble submission in the face of an omnipotent and omniscient God: “Behold I am vile” (verse 4).
With great respect, Job confesses his insignificance in the presence of the Lord in his first response. Covering his “mouth” and refusing to answer signaled that Job clearly regretted his words and would not venture to make yet another mistake. All his complaints against God were empty and futile.
Verses 40:6 to 41:34: As if the first was not enough, God’s second interrogation of Job commenced along the very same lines, only focusing on two unique animals in God’s creation: Behemoth (40:15-24), and Leviathan (41:1-34), two creatures powerful and fearful who embodied all that is overwhelming, uncontrollable, and terrorizing in this world., Man can’t control them, but God can.
Verses 6-14: God’s second series of questions begins with an affirmation of His administration of the moral order. Job had questioned God’s justice in order to protect his own innocence: “Wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous?” (verse 8). God says in essence: “if you are as powerful as I (verse 9), then you bring judgment on the proud (verse 11); then I will admit your power” (verse 14).
God again spoke from the whirlwind, daring Job to try running the universe according to the retribution principle. If Job could do it, then he would vindicate himself (“thine own right hand”).
Job had partially capitulated to his friends’ perspective on retributive judgment. In His second speech, Yahweh presents incontrovertible arguments that nothing compares to Him, not even “Leviathan” (see notes on 41:1-11).
Verses 8-14: God unleashed another torrent of crushing rebukes to Job, in which He mocked Job’s questionings of Him by telling the sufferer that if he really thought he knew what was best for him rather than God (verse 8), then he should take over being God! (Verses 9-14).
Verses 40:15 – 41:34: The rest of the speech is taken up with a description of “behemoth (40:15-24), and “leviathan (41:1-34). These are certainly literal, not mythical, creatures since they are observable and because the rest of the Lord’s questions deal with real animals. There have been numerous suggestions as to the identity of these creatures, with the most likely being the hippopotamus and crocodile, respectively. The descriptions of both are filled with hyperbole: “he drinketh up a river” (40:23); “a flame goeth out of his mouth (41:21), compare the earlier hyperbolic description of the horse (in 39:19-25). The point of referring to these animals is this: if Job cannot master just two marvels of physical strength within God’s creation, how can he expect to stand as a combatant humbly and trustfully in a God who knows more than he.
In verses 15-24: “Behemoth”: While this is a generic term used commonly in the Old Testament for large cattle or land animals, the description in this passage suggests an extraordinary creature. The hippopotamus has been suggested by the details in the passage (verses 19-24). However, the short tail of a hippo is hardly consistent with verse 17, where tail could be translated “trunk”. It could refer to an elephant, who could be considered “first” or chief of God’s creatures whom only He can control (verse 19). Some believe God is describing His most impressive creation of land animals, the dinosaur species, which fit all the characteristics.
Many scholars think that “behemoth” refers to the hippopotamus, thought the description “seems to match that of a great land dinosaur, such as the tyrannosaurus” according to Dr. Henry Morris. The word is a transliteration of a Hebrew word that means “super-beast”. No person could contend with such a creature. So how could Job pretend to be God’s equal when he could not even control what God had created?
So where are you at today? How will you respond to the offer from God of grace, mercy, and salvation? Are you ready to lean into all that God has for you? Are you ready to persevere and trust and have your faith built up? My hope and prayer is that You will ask Jesus into your heart so that I will get to spend eternity in God’s presence with you. Are you ready for forgiveness and peace? Are you ready for a hope and a future? Are you ready for a transformation where the old is gone and the new has come? Are you ready to being the journey of knowing right from wrong? Then let’s pray together to invite Jesus into your heart and your life so that His peace which surpasses all understanding can guide you and comfort you, protect your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. If this is the first time you have prayed to invite Jesus into your heart, leave me a comment so that I can rejoice with the angels in Heaven. If this is a re-commitment to Jesus, leave me a comment so that I can rejoice with the angels in Heaven. If you are still questioning or seeking, don’t go it alone, feel free to leave me a comment so we can discuss it. Reply with a comment to let me know of your decision so that I can pray with you. Respond to God’s prompting on your heart. Take time to hear from God today. Take time to be with God today. Take time to respond to God today!
Let’s pray:
^^^^^^^^^^^Will you be willing to put your name there today
Would you want an encounter where you were seeking God? Would you want an encounter where you were questioning God? Would you want an encounter where you were disbelieving or disavowing God? Would you want an encounter where you were crying out to God? Would you want an encounter where you were yelling at God? Would you want an encounter where God confronts your disbelief? Would you want an encounter where God confronts your disobedience? Would you want an encounter where God explains something to you? Would you want an encounter where God has to correct you?
Imagine that God called you into a position of leadership. Imagine that God then calls you to step up into a more senior position but you don’t think you are qualified or capable. How would you respond? Would you trust God’s calling or would you keep resisting out of fear and doubt? Is your fear and doubt greater than your faith and trust in God? How long would you resist? What would it take to get your attention and stand your ground either to do it out of obedience or to resist it out of disobedience? Imagine if you were given the ultimatum of be who I called you to be or you will be nothing… How would you respond? Imagine if you were prompted to forgive someone who hurt you? How many times would it take for you to receive the message from that still quiet voice? How bad would things have to get before you would stop resisting and accept the solution to your problem? How close to rock bottom would you need to get before you accepted the instruction to forgive so that you could be set free from bitterness, anger, and sadness?
Remember who God is!
The Lord does not delay [as though He were unable to act] and is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is [extraordinarily] patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.
God doesn’t want to give up on us! God wants what is best for us! God is love! God’s plan for us is good! He won’t force us to do it! We have to decide on our own if we want to have a life in relationship with God or not! We have to decide if we want to walk in total obedience to God or in disobedience! He goes before us, preparing in advance the good works He has planned for us to accomplish! So we all face a crossroads to decide how we will respond! God loves us so much He sent Jesus who made a way when there didn’t seem to be a way for us to be able to get reconciled back to Him! God loves us so much that Jesus not only came humbly as a baby into this world but also gave up His life on the cross in order to pay the ultimate price as the sinless lamb of God in order to defeat the grave and the penalty of sin so that we can be reconciled back to God! So we get to choose! We get to choose when we will accept Jesus into our hearts and receive the blessings of it in this life and in eternity to come! It took me nearly 30 years to figure that out and receive God, I felt the promptings but it took till I was 31 to realize that it wasn’t about rituals or routines but it is all about a relationship with Jesus! That was the start of the journey and I am still learning each step of my life nearly 20 years later and I thank God for all of it!
Be it realizing how God can use tough scenarios to position us in the right place at the right time, like Joseph and Mary getting to Bethlehem in time for Jesus’s birth because of a census mandating they go there from Nazareth. (for me this journey is continuing and I am not sure yet what the position, destination, or time are quite yet)
‘“Do you know the time when the wild goats of the rock give birth [to their young]? Do you observe the calving of the deer? Can you count the months that they carry offspring, Or do you know the time when they give birth? They kneel down, they bring forth their young, They cast out their labor pains. Their young ones become strong, they grow up in the open field; They leave and do not return to them. “Who sent out the wild donkey free [from dependence on man]? And who has loosed the bonds of the wild donkey [to survive in the wild], To whom I gave the wilderness as his home And the salt land as his dwelling place? He scorns the tumult of the city, And does not hear the shouting of the taskmaster. He explores the mountains as his pasture And searches after every green thing. Will the wild ox be willing to serve you, Or remain beside your manger at night? Can you bind the wild ox with a harness [to the plow] in the furrow? Or will he plow the valleys for you? Will you trust him because his strength is great And leave your labor to him? Will you have faith and depend on him to return your grain And gather it from your threshing floor? “The [flightless] wings of the ostrich wave joyously; With the pinion (shackles, fetters) and plumage of love, For she leaves her eggs on the ground And warms them in the dust, Forgetting that a foot may crush them, Or that the wild beast may trample them. She treats her young cruelly, as if they were not hers; Though her labor is in vain because she is unconcerned [for the safety of her brood], For God has made her forget wisdom, And has not given her a share of understanding. Yet when she lifts herself on high, [So swift is she that] she laughs at the horse and his rider. “Have you given the horse his might? Have you clothed his neck with quivering and a shaking mane? Have you [Job] made him leap like a locust? The majesty of his snorting [nostrils] is terrible. He paws in the valley and rejoices in his strength; He goes out to meet the weapons [of armed men]. He laughs at fear and is not dismayed; And [in battle] he does not turn back from the sword. The quiver rattles against him, [As do] the flashing spear and the lance [of his rider]. With fierceness and rage he races to devour the ground, And he does not stand still at the sound of the [war] trumpet. As often as the trumpet sounds he says, ‘Aha!’ And he smells the battle from far away, And senses the thunder of the captains and the war cry. “Is it by your understanding that the hawk soars, Stretching his wings toward the south [as winter approaches]? Is it at your command that the eagle mounts up And makes his nest on high [in an inaccessible place]? On the cliff he dwells and remains [securely], Upon the point of the rock and the inaccessible stronghold. From there he spies out the prey; His eyes see it from far away. His young ones suck up blood; And where the slain are, there is he.”’
Today’s summary from the study notes: Job Chapter 39 Explained(visit the links above to dig in deeper verse by verse):
God speaks of nature and its beings
Verses 13-18: In His description of the “ostrich”, God emphasized that He distributes different traits to various animals, giving wisdom to some and withholding it from others. The Lord is the source of wisdom within all creation.
Verses 19-25: Here is a magnificent, vivid picture of the war horse.
So where are you at today? How will you respond to the offer from God of grace, mercy, and salvation? Are you ready to lean into all that God has for you? Are you ready to persevere and trust and have your faith built up? My hope and prayer is that You will ask Jesus into your heart so that I will get to spend eternity in God’s presence with you. Are you ready for forgiveness and peace? Are you ready for a hope and a future? Are you ready for a transformation where the old is gone and the new has come? Are you ready to being the journey of knowing right from wrong? Then let’s pray together to invite Jesus into your heart and your life so that His peace which surpasses all understanding can guide you and comfort you, protect your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. If this is the first time you have prayed to invite Jesus into your heart, leave me a comment so that I can rejoice with the angels in Heaven. If this is a re-commitment to Jesus, leave me a comment so that I can rejoice with the angels in Heaven. If you are still questioning or seeking, don’t go it alone, feel free to leave me a comment so we can discuss it. Reply with a comment to let me know of your decision so that I can pray with you. Respond to God’s prompting on your heart. Take time to hear from God today. Take time to be with God today. Take time to respond to God today!
Let’s pray:
^^^^^^^^^^^Will you be willing to put your name there today
Who do you trust? What do you trust? When do you trust? Where do you trust? Why do you trust? How do you trust?
If you trust then do you need to keep protesting and trying to prove your case? If you trust then do you need to try and make your own way? If you trust should you change you tactics?
Ever heard “… doth protest too much”? Do you remember what they were talking about? Does your protesting make others think you are over acting? over reacting? being insincere? you are more guilty?
Even if you know there are 11 more days, will you continue to whine or complain or protest? Even if you don’t know how much longer will this trial continue, will you keep your trust in God and take hold of James 1:2-4 which reads:
‘Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]. And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing. ‘
‘“I have made a covenant (agreement) with my eyes; How then could I gaze [lustfully] at a virgin? For what is the portion I would have from God above, And what heritage from the Almighty on high? Does not tragedy fall [justly] on the unjust And disaster to those who work wickedness? Does not God see my ways And count all my steps? “If I have walked with falsehood, Or if my foot has chased after deceit, Oh, let Him weigh me with accurate scales, And let God know my integrity. If my step has turned away from the way [of God], Or if my heart has [covetously] followed my eyes, Or if any spot [of guilt] has stained my hands, Then let me plant and [let] another eat [from the results of my labor], And let my crops be uprooted and ruined. “If my heart has been enticed and I was made a fool by a woman, Or if I have [covetously] lurked at my neighbor’s door [until his departure], Let my wife grind [meal, like a bond slave] for another [man], And let others kneel down over her. For adultery is a heinous and lustful crime; Moreover, it would be a sin punishable by the judges. For it is a fire which consumes to Abaddon (destruction, ruin, final torment); And [illicit passion] would burn and rage and uproot all my [life’s] increase [destroying everything]. “If I have despised and rejected the claim of my male or female servants When they filed a complaint against me, What then could I do when God arises [to judge me]? When He calls me to account, what will I answer Him? Did not He who made me in the womb make my servant, And did not the same One fashion us both in the womb? “If I have withheld from the poor what they desired, Or have caused the eyes of the widow to look in vain [for relief], Or have eaten my morsel [of food] alone, And did not share it with the orphan (But from my youth the orphan grew up with me as with a father, And from my mother’s womb I have been the widow’s guide), If I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing, Or any poor person without covering, If his loins have not thanked and blessed me [for clothing them], And if he was not warmed with the fleece of my sheep, If I have lifted my hand against the orphan, Because I saw [that the judges would be] my help at the [council] gate, Then let my shoulder fall away from its socket, And my arm be broken off at the elbow. For tragedy from God is a terror to me, And because of His majesty and exaltation I can do nothing [nor endure facing Him]. “If I have put my trust and confidence in gold, Or have declared fine gold my hope and assurance, If I gloated and rejoiced because my wealth was great, And because my [powerful] hand [alone] had obtained so much, If I beheld the sun [as an object of worship] when it shone Or the moon going in its splendor, And my heart became secretly enticed [by them], And my hand threw a kiss from my mouth [in respect to them], This also would have been [a heinous] sin calling for judgment, For I would have denied God above. “Have I rejoiced at the destruction of the enemy [who hated me], Or exulted [in malicious triumph] when evil overtook him? No, I have not allowed my mouth to sin By cursing my enemy and asking for his life. I assure you, the men of my tent have said, ‘Who can find one [in need] who has not been satisfied with his meat’? The stranger has not lodged in the street, Because I have opened my door to the traveler. Have I concealed my transgressions like Adam or like other men, By hiding my wickedness in my bosom, Because I feared the great multitude, And the contempt of families terrified me, So that I kept silence and did not acknowledge my sin and did not go out of the door? Oh, that I had one to listen to me! Look, here is my signature (mark); Let the Almighty answer me! Let my adversary write out His indictment [and put His vague accusations in tangible form]. Surely I would [proudly] bear it on my shoulder, And bind the scroll around my head like a crown. I would count out to Him the number of my steps [with every detail of my life], Approaching His presence as if I were a prince. “For if my land has cried out against me, And its furrows weep together; If I have eaten its fruits without paying for them, Or have caused its [rightful] owners to lose their lives, Let thorns grow instead of wheat, And stinkweed and cockleburs instead of barley.” So the words of Job [with his friends] are finished.’
Today’s summary from the study notes: Job Chapter 31 Explained (visit the links above to dig in deeper verse by verse):
As Job became more forceful in his pursuit of being cleared of false accusations, he intensified the claim that he was innocent, comparatively speaking, and demanded justice. In situations where an individual was innocent, he would attest to it by taking an oath before the king or a deity. This procedure found among Job’s neighboring nations was often protocol for court procedures. The repeated “If … let” statements amount to the terms of the oath: “If” tells what Job might have done wrong; “let” describes a curse which could result. He accepted the curses (the “let” statements through the chapter), if he deserved them. This represented Job’s last attempt to defend himself before both God and man. In terms of purity (verse 1), sin in general (verses 2-3), truth (verse 5), covetousness (verse 7), marital faithfulness (verse 9), equity (verse 13), compassion (verses 16-21); materialism (verses 24-25), false religion (verses 26-27), love for enemies and strangers (verses 29-32), secret sin (verses 33-34), and business relations (verses 38-40). Job had no pattern of sin. He asked God to answer him (verse 35), and to explain why he suffered. Finally, he appeals to God to be the judge: if what he has claimed for himself is not true, let God pronounce the consequences (verses 35-40).
Verses 2-4: Though Job protested the accusations and logic of his friends, these words strongly suggest he actually held to the retribution principle as much as they did (Prov. 5:21).
Verses 6-40: Job understood that God weighs on an honest set of scales, and if he was guilty of any wrongdoing, he was willing to face the consequences. He would even let another man sleep with his “wife” if he himself were guilt of adultery.
“Verses 13-15: “Did not he that made me in the womb make him? Is a statement of fundamental human equality. Job presented an impartial and just managerial record. He said he had not mistreated any of his employees because he knew he answered to the Maker of all (Prov. 14:31; 22:2).
Verses 16-23: Job gave God permission to do whatever He wanted, even taking his limbs, if he deserved it for mistreating the “poor.”
Verses 24-35: As Job ends his final defense, he could honestly say he had not made “gold” his hope or participated in false worship. (Throwing a kiss to heavenly deities – “kiss my hand” – was a pagan superstition). He also never rejoiced at the misfortune of someone who hated him, pronounced a curse on those who mistreated him, or refused hospitality to strangers in need.
We don’t and won’t know all the answers in this life. We can choose to trust God and that His plan is good and receive Jesus into our lives so that we have all of eternity to be able to better understand everything in our lives or not. Today we will be faced with making a choice. Today we can choose where we will spend eternity. We are all eternal beings that will go somewhere after our bodies die here on earth and the final destination will be determined by our decision.
So where are you at today? How will you respond to the offer from God of grace, mercy, and salvation? Are you ready to lean into all that God has for you? Are you ready to persevere and trust and have your faith built up? My hope and prayer is that You will ask Jesus into your heart so that I will get to spend eternity in God’s presence with you. Are you ready for forgiveness and peace? Are you ready for a hope and a future? Are you ready for a transformation where the old is gone and the new has come? Are you ready to being the journey of knowing right from wrong? Then let’s pray together to invite Jesus into your heart and your life so that His peace which surpasses all understanding can guide you and comfort you, protect your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. If this is the first time you have prayed to invite Jesus into your heart, leave me a comment so that I can rejoice with the angels in Heaven. If this is a re commitment to Jesus, leave me a comment so that I can rejoice with the angels in Heaven. If you are still questioning or seeking, don’t go it alone, feel free to leave me a comment so we can discuss it.
Let’s pray:
^^^^^^^^^^^Will you be willing to put your name there today?
We all have a choice of whether we will receive the gift of grace or not. We all have a choice of whether we will spend out lives with God or apart from God. We all have a choice of whether we will believe or not. We all have a choice of where we will spend eternity with God or apart from God. Put another way, we all have a choice of where we will spend eternity in heaven or in hell. We all have a choice of receiving Jesus as our Lord and Savior or rejecting Him and trying to go it alone. We get to choose if we will be on the side of good or evil, there is no neutral ground. We get to choose if we will be on the side of hope and love or despair and hate. We get to choose if we will have faith or not. We get to choose if we will be faithful or not. We get to choose if we will be good stewards or not. Choices, choices, we will face them everyday. Choices, choices, we will need to make them every day. Choices, choices, they will impact not just your today but also your forever.
‘Job continued his discourse and said, “As God lives, who has taken away my right and denied me justice, And the Almighty, who has caused bitterness and grief for my soul, As long as my life is within me, And the breath of God is [still] in my nostrils, My lips will not speak unjustly, Nor will my tongue utter deceit. Far be it from me that I should admit you are right [in your accusations against me]; Until I die, I will not remove my integrity from me. I hold fast my uprightness and my right standing with God and I will not let them go; My heart does not reproach me for any of my days. “May my enemy be as the wicked, And he who rises up against me be as the unrighteous (unjust). For what is the hope of the godless, even though he has gained [in this world], When God takes his life? Will God hear his cry When trouble and distress come upon him? Will he take delight in the Almighty? Will he call on God at all times? I will teach you regarding the hand (power) of God; I will not conceal what is with the Almighty [God’s actual treatment of the wicked]. Behold, all of you have seen it; Why then do you act vainly and foolishly [cherishing worthless concepts]? “This [which I am about to explain] is the portion of a wicked man from God, And the inheritance which tyrants and oppressors receive from the Almighty: Though his children are many, they are destined for the sword; And his descendants will not have sufficient bread. Those who survive him will be buried because of the plague, And [their] widows will not be able to weep. Though he heaps up silver like dust And piles up clothing like clay, He may prepare it, but the just will wear it And the innocent will divide the silver. He builds his house like a spider’s web, Like a (temporary) hut which a watchman makes. He lies down rich, but never will again; He opens his eyes, and it is gone. Terrors overtake him like a [suddenly rising] flood; A windstorm steals him away in the night. The east wind lifts him up, and he is gone; It sweeps him out of his place. For it will hurl [thunderbolts of God’s wrath] at him unsparingly and without compassion; He flees in haste from its power. People will clap their hands at him [to mock and ridicule him] And hiss him out of his place.’
Will you stick with God through the good and the tough times? Will you stick with God through the good and the bad times? Will you stick with God through the trials and the troubles? Will you resist the temptations of the devil to walk away or turn your back on God? Will you trust God in and through it all?
Today’s summary from the study notes:(visit Job Chapter 27 Explained to dig in deeper verse by verse)
Verses 1-23: In Job’s summary response to his three friends, he still clings to his claim of “righteousness”, although now placed in the context of divine judgment. The wicked are those who separate themselves from faith in the Lord and a fear of the Lord; Job does not qualify.
(In verses 1-12), Job turned from speaking about God (26:5-14), to defending his righteousness.
Verses 2-6: Job took the most solemn oath possible (“As God liveth”), delivering an ultimatum to his friends as he proceeded to express his lifelong commitment to God (Psalm 37:4).
Verses 3-6: Job affirmed his true and steadfast devotion to righteous living, no matter what happened. He refused to live with a guilty conscience (verse 6b). This was no brash claim, because God had recognized Job’s virtue (1:8; 2:3).
Verses 7-23: There is a severe interpretive problem in the chapter: Job seems to agree now with his friends that the wicked are punished and that they are not permitted to prosper as he had earlier alleged. The answer to this seeming contradiction lies in the fact that much of what the friends have said is true and Job is agreeing with them; however, he does not contradict his earlier statements that they have been arbitrary and unjust in their application of their tenets.
(In 7-13), Job characterized his friends as enemies. These three hypocrites would be judged by God and perhaps then they would realize the cruelty with which they had been treating Job.
Verses 8-10: Job reminded the friends that he would never be hypocritical because he understood the consequences.
Verses 13-23: Such harsh language is similarly found in Psalms (e.g., Psalm 69:22-28). Almost exclusively, Job quotes back to his “friends” what they had earlier spoken to him, using their own words against them.
Job wanted it made clear he was not denying that the wicked are punished with severe distress, so he agreed that they suffer greatly and affirmed so in this section.
So where are you at today? How will you respond to the offer from God of grace, mercy, and salvation? Are you ready to lean into all that God has for you? Are you ready to persevere and trust and have your faith built up? My hope and prayer is that You will ask Jesus into your heart so that I will get to spend eternity in God’s presence with you. Are you ready for forgiveness and peace? Are you ready for a hope and a future? Are you ready for a transformation where the old is gone and the new has come? Are you ready to being the journey of knowing right from wrong? Then let’s pray together to invite Jesus into your heart and your life so that His peace which surpasses all understanding can guide you and comfort you, protect your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. If this is the first time you have prayed to invite Jesus into your heart, leave me a comment so that I can rejoice with the angels in Heaven. If this is a re commitment to Jesus, leave me a comment so that I can rejoice with the angels in Heaven. If you are still questioning or seeking, don’t go it alone, feel free to leave me a comment so we can discuss it.
Let’s pray:
^^^^^^^^^^^Will you be willing to put your name there today?
Look to understand where you are at. Remember your value to God and to others. Remember what your true motivation really is. Are you doing it for the money or because it is a calling? Are you doing it for prestige or because God told you to? Are you doing it for recognition or because God called you to walk on water? Are you doing it for yourself or because there is a greater purpose? Will you take direction and instruction from people or from God?
Is God calling you away? If not then don’t leave. If yes then get moving. Is God calling you out of the boat? If not stay in the boat. If yes then get moving. Be lead by God! Be lead by the Holy Spirit’s prompting! Don’t bite at the temptations! Don’t be tempted into doing something that could steel your hope and your joy! Don’t allow your eyes to deceive you! Don’t allow your pride to deceive you! Don’t allow your thoughts to deceive you! Lean not on your own understanding but rather put your full trust in God! Let’s long for God’s purpose and plan! Let’s long for God’s presence and wisdom! Let’s allow God’s purpose and plan to be fulfilled in and through us! Let’s be focusing on the things that will last forever rather than the things that are temporary, can erode, be destroyed and stolen. Let’s be living our lives with the focus on pointing people to Jesus and allow Him to touch and transform their hearts!
This is the day that the Lord has made, so let’s rejoice and be glad in it!
Where does your worth come from? How do you value your worth? Is it by the words of man or the Word of God? Remember who God says you are!
‘Then Job answered and said, “Even today my complaint is contentious; His hand is heavy despite my groaning. Oh, that I knew where I might find Him, That I might [even] come to His seat! I would present my cause before Him And fill my mouth with arguments. I would learn the words which He would answer, And understand what He would say to me. Would He contend against me with His great power? No, surely He would give attention to me. There the righteous and upright could reason with Him; So I would be acquitted forever by my Judge. “Behold, I go forward (to the east), but He is not there; I go backward (to the west), but I cannot perceive Him; To the left (north) He turns, but I cannot behold Him; He turns to the right hand (south), but I cannot see Him. But He knows the way that I take [and He pays attention to it]. When He has tried me, I will come forth as [refined] gold [pure and luminous]. My feet have carefully followed His steps; I have kept His ways and not turned aside. I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have kept the words of His mouth more than my necessary food. But He is unique and unchangeable, and who can turn Him? And what His soul desires, that He does. For He performs what is planned (appointed) for me, And He is mindful of many such things. Therefore I would be terrified at His presence; When I consider [all of this], I tremble in dread of Him. For God has made my heart faint, And the Almighty has terrified me, But I am not silenced by the darkness [of these woes that fell on me], Nor by the thick darkness which covers my face.’
It is interesting to get to hear Job’s heart today without interjection by his friends and without the preview reading having been them trying to put him down. His desire to understand by seeking God and pleading his case. He doesn’t realize what his troubles speaks of who God is in the moment but later will realize the benefits of trusting and pursuing God’s will in his life.
Today’s study summary:
Verses 23:1 – 24:25: Job’s reply to Eliphaz’s third speech was not a rebuttal, but express Job’s longing for fellowship with God, so he could experience God’s love and goodness and hear from Him the meaning of all his suffering.
This section, featuring Job’s response to Eliphaz, is expressive of Job’s deeply discouraged state, God’s sovereignty is not a comfort to him but a terror. Echoes of his initial sadness in his opening soliloquy (3:1-26), are found here.
(In verses 1-12), we find that in spite of Job’s anger toward Eliphaz, his dispute was not with humans but with God, the only One who knew the truth of his integrity (Psalm 17:3).
Verses 6-7: “Plead”. Engage in court debate over evidence, witnesses, etc. Job knew God was not going to enter a contest with him to determine, as in a court case, who was right. But he wanted God to at least listen to him, so confident was he that he could make his case, and be delivered by his just Judge (compare 1:8; 2:3).
Verses 8-12: Even though Job couldn’t sense God’s presence, he believed He was present and affirmed his commitment to God’s purpose in this test (verse 10), and his continued obedience to God’s Word, which were the most important issues in his life (verses 11-12).
Verses 13-17: Understandably, Job considered a sovereign God unpredictable, which can be a fearful thing. In reality, God’s seeming unpredictability is balanced by His unchanging faithfulness to His children.
So where are you at today? How will you respond to the offer from God of grace, mercy, and salvation? Are you ready to lean into all that God has for you? Are you ready to persevere and trust and have your faith built up? My hope and prayer is that You will ask Jesus into your heart so that I will get to spend eternity in God’s presence with you. Are you ready for forgiveness and peace? Are you ready for a hope and a future? Are you ready for a transformation where the old is gone and the new has come? Are you ready to being the journey of knowing right from wrong? Then let’s pray together to invite Jesus into your heart and your life so that His peace which surpasses all understanding can guide you and comfort you, protect your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. If this is the first time you have prayed to invite Jesus into your heart, leave me a comment so that I can rejoice with the angels in Heaven. If this is a re commitment to Jesus, leave me a comment so that I can rejoice with the angels in Heaven. If you are still questioning or seeking, don’t go it alone, feel free to leave me a comment so we can discuss it.
Let’s pray:
^^^^^^^^^^^Will you be willing to put your name there today?
Ever had someone try to blame the temptations in their lives on God? Ever had someone try to blame you for calamities, troubles, or trials that occur in your life as though it was some punishment from God? Ever compared their accusations against the plans and promises of God? How can you judge the feedback you are receiving to know if it is true or it is not? How can you discern the truth in the midst of accusations? How can you discern if there is something that you need to fix or work on? Will you turn to God for wisdom and direction? Will you ask the Holy Spirit to be your comforter and your guide? Will you invite Jesus into your heart in order to help ensure everything gets cleaned up and cleaned out?
Today’s reading from the book of Job comes from Job 5:
‘“Call now—is there anyone who will answer you? And to which of the holy ones (angels) will you turn? For anger slays the foolish man, And jealousy kills the simple (naive). I have seen the foolish taking root [and outwardly prospering], But I cursed his dwelling immediately [for his destruction was certain]. His children are far from safety [and included in their father’s ruin], They are oppressed and crushed in the [court of justice in the city’s] gate, And there is no one to rescue them . The hungry devour his harvest And take it even [when it grows] among the thorns; The trap opens for [his] wealth. For affliction does not come forth from the dust, Nor does trouble spring forth from the ground. For man is born for trouble, [As naturally] as sparks fly upward. “As for me, I would seek God and inquire of Him, And I would commit my cause to God; Who does great and unsearchable things, Marvelous things without number. He gives rain upon the earth And sends waters upon the fields, So that He sets on high those who are lowly, And He lifts to safety those who mourn. He frustrates the devices and schemes of the crafty, So that their hands cannot attain success or achieve anything of [lasting] worth. He catches the [so-called] wise in their own shrewdness, And the advice of the devious is quickly thwarted. In the daytime they meet in darkness, And at noon they grope as in the night. But God saves [the innocent] from the sword of the mouth of the devious, And the poor from the hand of the mighty. So the helpless have hope, And injustice shuts its mouth. “Behold, how happy and fortunate is the man whom God reproves, So do not despise or reject the discipline of the Almighty [subjecting you to trial and suffering]. For He inflicts pain, but He binds up and gives relief; He wounds, but His hands also heal. He will rescue you from six troubles; Even in seven, evil will not touch you. In famine He will redeem you from death, And in war from the power of the sword. You will be hidden from the scourge of the tongue, And you will not be afraid of destruction when it comes. You will laugh at violence and famine, And you will not be afraid of the wild beasts of the earth. For you will be in harmony with the stones of the field, And the beasts of the field will be at peace with you. You will know also that your tent is secure and at peace, And you will visit your dwelling and fear no loss [nor find anything amiss]. You will know also that your descendants will be many, And your offspring as the grass of the earth. You will come to your grave in old age, Like the stacking of grain [on the threshing floor] in its season. Behold this; we have investigated it, and it is true. Hear and heed it, and know for yourself [for your own good].”’
As today’s reading starts we see Job being called out by Eliphaz to enter into an argument or litigation against God. Job is challenged to see if God will even answer such a cry from him and step down from heaven to give an account for His handling or dealings with Job. We learn how Eliphaz was trying to allow the information to be put out there in order to show Job that he was wrong and that nobody would be able to be found to take up Job’s case. Eliphaz tries to use all that happened to Job as proof that he was a great sinner. Eliphaz tries through this to point to Job being weak minded and wouldn’t be able to refute his accusations. Eliphaz tries to relate how the wicked may prosper for a time but eventually they will lose out to what has happened to Job. We read how the accusation was how Job couldn’t benefit from his labor and it was because of his problems. Eliphaz keeps trying to point Job to God and look to Him for answers.
Eliphaz was convinced that ‘trouble” always starts somewhere; it does not just “happen” such as (“trouble spring out of the ground”). By saying that he had seen sinners prosper (“taking root”), only to lose everything in the end, Eliphaz wrongly suggested that Job’s sin led to the death of his children.
Speaking in spiritual platitudes, Job’s friend presumed to know the cause of Job’s suffering. Eliphaz also told him if he would just submit (“despise not”), to the (“chastening of the Almighty”), Job would reap a harvest of blessing. But no one can make such a prediction. Eliphaz modeled how not to address another person’s affliction.
So where are you at today? My hope and prayer is that You will ask Jesus into your heart so that I will get to spend eternity in God’s presence with you. Are you ready for forgiveness and peace? Are you ready for a hope and a future? Are you ready for a transformation where the old is gone and the new has come? Are you ready to being the journey of knowing right from wrong? Then let’s pray together to invite Jesus into your heart and your life so that His peace which surpasses all understanding can guide you and comfort you, protect your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. If this is the first time you have prayed to invite Jesus into your heart, leave me a comment so that I can rejoice with the angels in Heaven. If this is a re commitment to Jesus, leave me a comment so that I can rejoice with the angels in Heaven. If you are still questioning or seeking, don’t go it alone, feel free to leave me a comment so we can discuss it.
Let’s pray:
^^^^^^^^^^^Will you be willing to put your name there today?
How would you respond after losing everything? What would your response be? Would it be pointing fingers or blame? Would it be looking for answers or excuses? Imagine if it was as bad as what happened to Job where he first lost everything and then was afflicted by painful boils all over his body. Today we will see how he responds to this attack of the devil who is trying to get him to curse God, turn his back on God, give up on God, give up on his trust in God, give up on his faith in God.
‘After this, Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth . And Job said, “Let the day on which I was born perish, And the night which announced: ‘There is a man-child conceived.’ May that day be darkness; Let God above not care about it, Nor light shine on it. Let darkness and gloom claim it for their own; Let a cloud settle upon it; Let all that blackens the day terrify it (the day that I was born). As for that night, let darkness seize it; Let it not rejoice among the days of the year; Let it not be counted in the number of the months. Behold, let that night be barren [and empty]; Let no joyful voice enter it. Let those curse it who curse the day, Who are skilled in rousing up Leviathan. Let the stars of its early dawn be dark; Let the morning wait in vain for the light, Let it not see the eyelids of morning (the day’s dawning), Because it did not shut the doors of my mother’s womb, Nor hide trouble from my eyes. “Why did I not die at birth, Come forth from the womb and expire? Why did the knees receive me? And why the breasts, that I would nurse? For now I would have lain down and been quiet; I would have slept then, I would have been at rest [in death], With kings and counselors of the earth, Who built up [now desolate] ruins for themselves; Or with princes who had gold, Who filled their houses with silver. Or like a miscarriage which is hidden and put away, I would not exist, Like infants who never saw light. There [in death] the wicked cease from raging, And there the weary are at rest. There the prisoners rest together; They do not hear the taskmaster’s voice. The small and the great are there, And the servant is free from his master. “Why is the light given to him who is in misery, And life to the bitter in soul, Who wait for death, but it does not come, And dig (search) for death more [diligently] than for hidden treasures, Who rejoice exceedingly, And rejoice when they find the grave? Why is the light of day given to a man whose way is hidden, And whom God has hedged in? For my groaning comes at the sight of my food, And my cries [of despair] are poured out like water. For the thing which I greatly fear comes upon me, And that of which I am afraid has come upon me. I am not at ease, nor am I quiet, And I am not at rest, and yet trouble still comes [upon me].”’
After the loss, after the pain, after the mourning, after the friends coming to mourn with him, Job speaks. Job doesn’t curse God though, we see as the chapter starts when he decides to start speaking, he curses his birth date. After all the loss and suffering, he questions what was the point of him being born. All that he had held dear and the fears of them all have all come to him. We learn about Job’s feeling through all of his suffering through the poetry. We will read as the study continues about the interactions between him and his friends.
We learn through today’s reading how Job wishes that he had never been born because the joys of his life weren’t worth the pain he has and is going through. We learn how in comparison he would have rather never been born than to have suffer, never to have been born than to have had wealth and lost it, and never to have been born than to have had children who were all killed. We read how he would rather have his birthday perish, never to be remembered, and even removed from the calendar. We learn how broken down Job had become. We learn how depressed he had become to the point that he didn’t care about himself anymore. Through it all, he still didn’t curse God.
Looking into the book of Job, we learn how the book starts in the format of prose in chapters 1 and 2 and then through most of the rest of the book (3:3-42:6) it is written in poetry.
See how Job didn’t jump to conclusions or point fingers at God? Ever noticed how people can have a tendency to quickly jump to judgement from God when something bad happens or a problem arises? Ever considered that Satan doesn’t need to bother with the people who are already on his side or have already walked away from God? Ever considered that it is true believers that Satan goes after? Ever considered that the attacks are because you are doing something for God and Satan is trying to stop you or worse make you give up?
As we read through today’s chapter, we see in the words of Job the parallel of Jeremiah 20:14.
‘Cursed be the day on which I was born; Do not bless the day on which my mother gave birth to me! ‘
Job and Jeremiah have very similar expressions during their suffering and lows in their responses as we read in verse 14 earlier and then even if we move forward one verse it continues.
‘Cursed be the man who brought the news To my father, saying, “A son has been born to you!” Making him very glad. ‘
Oh the pain, the suffering, the loss that would push Job to wish that he had never been born. We see how overwhelming it was to him. To understand Job 3:5 further, we need to jump ahead a bit to learn what he means:
‘Before I go—and I shall not return— To the land of darkness and the deep shadow [of death], The [sunless] land of utter gloom as darkness itself , [The land] of the shadow of death, without order, And [where] it shines as [thick] darkness.”’
Job speaks throughout chapter 3 not only about cursing the day he was born but then even to the day he was conceived. He wants them taken off the calendar. With the pain and sorrow he is feeling, he is wanting there to be no joy to be put on that day. It is so hard at this point that Job has forgotten all the good and only remembers these last short times of loss and suffering. You can hear hopelessness in and through his words.
Job didn’t turn on God but rather his past, his birthday, his conception, and his birth. Ever noticed when people are faced with severe illnesses and great pain how then tend to act similarly to Job and question why would they have been born? Ever consider the sadness in this world where even without the severity of what Job went thru there are so many who give up without faith in God and kill themselves? We see that had it not been Job’s faith in God, he probably would have done something that radical himself.
We learn about Job’s view of death through verses 13-19:
‘For now I would have lain down and been quiet; I would have slept then, I would have been at rest [in death], With kings and counselors of the earth, Who built up [now desolate] ruins for themselves; Or with princes who had gold, Who filled their houses with silver. Or like a miscarriage which is hidden and put away, I would not exist, Like infants who never saw light. There [in death] the wicked cease from raging, And there the weary are at rest. There the prisoners rest together; They do not hear the taskmaster’s voice. The small and the great are there, And the servant is free from his master. ‘
But can contract that with the more complete pictures in 1 Corinthians 15:
‘Now if Christ is preached as raised from the dead, how is it that some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain [useless, amounting to nothing], and your faith is also vain [imaginary, unfounded, devoid of value and benefit—not based on truth]. We are even discovered to be false witnesses [misrepresenting] God, because we testified concerning Him that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised, either; and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless and powerless [mere delusion]; you are still in your sins [and under the control and penalty of sin]. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If we who are [abiding] in Christ have hoped only in this life [and this is all there is], then we are of all people most miserable and to be pitied. But now [as things really are] Christ has in fact been raised from the dead, [and He became] the first fruits [that is, the first to be resurrected with an incorruptible, immortal body, foreshadowing the resurrection] of those who have fallen asleep [in death]. For since [it was] by a man that death came [into the world], it is also by a Man that the resurrection of the dead has come . For just as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then those who are Christ’s [own will be resurrected with incorruptible, immortal bodies] at His coming. After that comes the end (completion), when He hands over the kingdom to God the Father, after He has made inoperative and abolished every ruler and every authority and power. For Christ must reign [as King] until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy to be abolished and put to an end is death. For H e (the Father) has put all things in subjection under H is (Christ’s) feet . But when He says, “All things have been put in subjection [under Christ],” it is clear that He (the Father) who put all things in subjection to Him (Christ) is excepted [since the Father is not in subjection to His own Son]. However, when all things are subjected to Him (Christ), then the Son Himself will also be subjected to the One (the Father) who put all things under Him, so that God may be all in all [manifesting His glory without any opposition, the supreme indwelling and controlling factor of life]. Otherwise, what will those do who are being baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people even baptized for them? [For that matter] why are we [running such risks and putting ourselves] in danger [nearly] every hour [if there is no resurrection]? I assure you, believers, by the pride which I have in you in [your union with] Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily [I face death and die to self]. What good has it done me if, [merely] from a human point of view, I fought with wild animals at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised [at all], let us eat and drink [enjoying ourselves now], for tomorrow we die . Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.” Be sober-minded [be sensible, wake up from your spiritual stupor] as you ought, and stop sinning; for some [of you] have no knowledge of God [you are disgracefully ignorant of Him, and ignore His truths]. I say this to your shame. But someone will say, “How are the dead raised? And with what kind of body will they come?” You fool! Every time you plant seed you sow something that does not come to life [germinating, springing up and growing] unless it first dies. The seed you sow is not the body (the plant) which it is going to become, but it is a bare seed, perhaps of wheat or some other grain. But God gives it a body just as He planned, and to each kind of seed a body of its own [is given]. All flesh is not the same. There is one kind for humans, another for animals, another for birds, and another for fish. There are also heavenly bodies [sun, moon and stars] and earthly bodies [humans, animals, and plants], but the glory and beauty of the heavenly is one kind, and the glory of the earthly is another. There is a glory and beauty of the sun, another glory of the moon, and yet another [distinctive] glory of the stars; and one star differs from another in glory and brilliance. So it is with the resurrection of the dead. The [human] body that is sown is perishable and mortal, it is raised imperishable and immortal. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in strength; it is sown a natural body [mortal, suited to earth], it is raised a spiritual body [immortal, suited to heaven]. As surely as there is a physical body, there is also a spiritual body . So it is written [in Scripture], “The first man , Adam, became a living soul (an individual);” the last Adam (Christ) became a life-giving spirit [restoring the dead to life]. However, the spiritual [the immortal life] is not first, but the physical [the mortal life]; then the spiritual. The first man [Adam] is from the earth, earthy [made of dust]; the second Man [Christ, the Lord] is from heaven. As is the earthly man [the man of dust], so are those who are of earth; and as is the heavenly [Man], so are those who are of heaven. Just as we have borne the image of the earthly [the man of dust], we will also bear the image of the heavenly [the Man of heaven]. Now I say this, believers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit nor be part of the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable (mortal) inherit the imperishable (immortal). Listen very carefully, I tell you a mystery [a secret truth decreed by God and previously hidden, but now revealed]; we will not all sleep [in death], but we will all be [completely] changed [wondrously transformed], in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at [the sound of] the last trumpet call. For a trumpet will sound, and the dead [who believed in Christ] will be raised imperishable, and we will be [completely] changed [wondrously transformed]. For this perishable [part of us] must put on the imperishable [nature], and this mortal [part of us that is capable of dying] must put on immortality [which is freedom from death]. And when this perishable puts on the imperishable, and this mortal puts on immortality, then the Scripture will be fulfilled that says, “D eath is swallowed up in victory (vanquished forever). O death , where is your victory ? O death , where is your sting ?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin [by which it brings death] is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory [as conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord [always doing your best and doing more than is needed], being continually aware that your labor [even to the point of exhaustion] in the Lord is not futile nor wasted [it is never without purpose].’
‘Now we do not want you to be uninformed, believers, about those who are asleep [in death], so that you will not grieve [for them] as the others do who have no hope [beyond this present life]. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again [as in fact He did], even so God [in this same way—by raising them from the dead] will bring with Him those [believers] who have fallen asleep in Jesus. For we say this to you by the Lord’s [own] word, that we who are still alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will in no way precede [into His presence] those [believers] who have fallen asleep [in death]. For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven with a shout of command, with the voice of the archangel and with the [blast of the] trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain [on the earth] will simultaneously be caught up (raptured) together with them [the resurrected ones] in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord! Therefore comfort and encourage one another with these words [concerning our reunion with believers who have died].’
As we look at verse 19, it is interesting too as it speaks to the fact that God is no respecter of persons for all go to either the same heaven or the same hell with no connection back to the position they once held on earth. Today we all get a choice where we will end up. We all have the choice to pick from God’s grace and receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior and go to heaven or not and go to hell.
We learn through this chapter how even though Job kept asking “why”, suicide never was an option or a consideration. He questioned what it was that would have allowed God to persevere his life if it was to come down to this. We see in both the old (like here with Job) as well as in the New Testament how God’s people can ask why and yet God is not obligated to give an answer in the moment. Some New Testament examples include Matthew:
‘About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud [agonized] voice, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” ‘
‘And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” —which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” ‘
In the midst of the pain and the sorrow, it is interesting to note that through all of Job’s lamenting, he speaks of a better place awaiting. There are people who will have it hard and miserable here on earth and yet will go from this dark world into the place where it is never dark in the presence of God in heaven. Consider the be attitudes in the New Testament:
‘ “Blessed [spiritually prosperous, happy, to be admired] are the poor in spirit [those devoid of spiritual arrogance, those who regard themselves as insignificant], for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever]. “Blessed [forgiven, refreshed by God’s grace] are those who mourn [over their sins and repent], for they will be comforted [when the burden of sin is lifted]. “Blessed [inwardly peaceful, spiritually secure, worthy of respect] are the gentle [the kind-hearted, the sweet-spirited, the self-controlled], for they will inherit the earth. “Blessed [joyful, nourished by God’s goodness] are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness [those who actively seek right standing with God], for they will be [completely] satisfied. “Blessed [content, sheltered by God’s promises] are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. “Blessed [spiritually calm with life-joy in God’s favor] are the makers and maintainers of peace, for they will [express His character and] be called the sons of God. “Blessed [comforted by inner peace and God’s love] are those who are persecuted for doing that which is morally right, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever]. “Blessed [anticipating God’s presence, spiritually mature] are the pure in heart [those with integrity, moral courage, and godly character], for they will see God. “Blessed [morally courageous and spiritually alive with life-joy in God’s goodness] are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil things against you because of [your association with] Me. Be glad and exceedingly joyful, for your reward in heaven is great [absolutely inexhaustible]; for in this same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. ‘
We see how Job is counting himself because of the pain and suffering as one of those who seek death. He compares himself to many others who are down and seeking death too. He understands that there is a coming day when all the pain and suffering would be gone. In our time, we have the benefit of the book of Revelation where we know too and read:
‘and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be death; there will no longer be sorrow and anguish, or crying, or pain; for the former order of things has passed away.” ‘
Today’s study shares these points verbatim for us to consider and contemplate:
Job 3:20 “Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery, and life unto the bitter [in] soul;” Wherefore giveth He light, namely, God. Often omitted reverentially (Job 24:23; Eccl. 9:9). Light, that is, life. The joyful light doesn’t suit the mourners. The grave is most in unison with their feelings. In this chapter, all the way through, Job was speaking of a better place awaiting. Those that live in abject poverty on this earth, will live in splendor in heaven. There are some who have a miserable plight on this earth. It seems, they live where there is no light, but in heaven where God dwells, there is continuous light.
Job 3:21 “Which long for death, but it [cometh] not; and dig for it more than for hid treasures;” I.e., desire and pray for it with as much earnestness as men dig for treasure. But it is observable that Job did not lay violent hands upon himself, nor do anything to hasten or procure his death. But notwithstanding all his miseries and complaints, he was contented to wait all the days of his appointed time, till his change came (Job 14:14). Job counts himself among those who seek death. He was miserable in life, as the people he mentioned were miserable. He knew there was coming a day, when all pain and suffering would be done away with.
Job 3:22 “Which rejoice exceedingly, [and] are glad, when they can find the grave?” To be thus impatient of life, for the sake of the trouble we meet with, is not only unnatural in itself, but ungrateful to the Giver of life, and shows a sinful indulgence of our own passion. Let it be our great and constant care to get ready for another world: and then let us leave it to God to order the circumstances of our removal thither. Even Paul looked forward to the death of the physical body, so that he could be with the LORD. He knew it was necessary to live on this earth, until he had completed his mission. However all believers’ sin. Those in Christ are looking forward to that heavenly home, where all the sorrows of this life are done away with. Verse 22 is not speaking of suicide. It is speaking of rejoicing on that day, when we shed this physical body, and rise to heaven in our spiritual bodies.
Job 3:23 “[Why is light given] to a man whose way is hid, and whom God hath hedged in?” “Hedged in”: Satan spoke of a hedge of protection and blessing (1:10), whereas Job spoke of this hedge as a prison of living death. Job was speaking of himself here. He had lived in the light. He felt that God had given the Light of God to him. The Light seems to be unable to get him out of this time of being hedged in. Job felt useless to witness of that Light at this point. He felt this was from God and there was nothing he could do about it.
Job 3:24 “For my sighing cometh before I eat, and my roarings are poured out like the waters.” “Sighing … roarings”: These destroyed any appetite he might have had.
Verses 25-26: “Which I greatly feared”: Not a particular thing but a generic classification of suffering. The very worst fear that anyone could have was coming to pass in Job’s life, and he is experiencing severe anxiety, fearing more.
Job 3:25 “For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.” (Compare Prov. 28:14). It means that he had always had in remembrance the uncertainty and instability of earthly things, and yet he had been overtaken by a calamity that mocked his carefulness and exceeded his apprehensions. These two Scriptures (24-25), in my opinion, have been grossly misunderstood. We are told in the beginning of these lessons, that Job feared God. We are not told that he feared anything else. Fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. His fear of God is what he was speaking of here that had come true. Job wanted to please God in all that he did. He was careful to keep the relationship with God open. He prayed and sacrificed regularly. We know that God found no fault in Job’s fear, because it was God who told Satan that Job was perfect and upright. Job, in a verse above, knew that it was God who allowed him to be hedged in. I believe that greater than Job’s pain from the sores on his body, was a feeling in his heart that he might have in some way offended God. There was no error on Job’s part. This was an attack of Satan on a righteous man. His roarings were like a mourning. He desired that close fellowship with God he had known in the past.
Job 3:26 “I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; yet trouble came.” This cannot refer to the time of his prosperity; for he certainly then was in safety. God having set a hedge about him, so that none of his enemies, nor even Satan himself, could come at him to hurt him. “Neither had I rest, neither was I quiet”: Which also was not true of him before his afflictions, for he did then enjoy great peace, rest and quietness. He lay in his nest at ease, and in great tranquility; and thought and said he should die in such a state (see Job 29:18). Nor is the sense of these expressions that he did not take up his rest and satisfaction in outward things. And put his trust and confidence in his riches, and yet trouble came upon him. But this relates to the time of the beginning of his troubles and afflictions, from which time he was not in safety, nor had any rest and peace. There was no intermission of his sorrows; but as soon as one affliction was over, another came. “Yet trouble came”: Still one after another, there was no end of them. or, as Broughton renders it, “and now cometh a vexation”; a fresh one, a suspicion of hypocrisy; and upon this turns the whole controversy, managed and carried on between him and his friends in the following part of this book. Trials and troubles come to everyone. It is not the number or severity of the trials that come that make us different. It is the way we handle those troubles when they come. Christians are not exempt from trials. The following is what Jesus said about this very thing. John 16:33 “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
Our peace is not because there is no tribulation. Our peace is in Christ. In the middle of terrible tribulation, we can experience His peace. I would rather be like Job, who wanted to please God in whatever circumstance he was in. If I were not experiencing any hardships, I would be concerned that Satan did not find me a threat to him.
We need to trust God more than our situation. We need to trust God more than our circumstances. We need to know that we are not alone and that He will never leave us nor abandon us. We need to put on the full armor of God. We need to stand firm and when he attacks again stand again. We need to resist the devil and trust in God so that Satan will flee. We need to lean not on our own understanding but in all our ways acknowledge God.
We need to stand up for our family and friends. We need to stand with our family and friends. We need to speak life and love into and over our family and friends. We need to come together because where 2 or 3 come together in Jesus’s name, He is with us. We need to stand with our friends keeping God in the center, so they are not alone and we can take hold of the promises of Ecclesiastes 4 that say:
‘Two are better than one because they have a more satisfying return for their labor; for if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and does not have another to lift him up. Again, if two lie down together, then they keep warm; but how can one be warm alone? And though one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. ‘
So where are you at today? My hope and prayer is that You will ask Jesus into your heart so that I will get to spend eternity in God’s presence with you. Are you ready for forgiveness and peace? Are you ready for a hope and a future? Are you ready for a transformation where the old is gone and the new has come? Are you ready to being the journey of knowing right from wrong? Then let’s pray together to invite Jesus into your heart and your life so that His peace which surpasses all understanding can guide you and comfort you, protect your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. If this is the first time you have prayed to invite Jesus into your heart, leave me a comment so that I can rejoice with the angels in Heaven. If this is a re commitment to Jesus, leave me a comment so that I can rejoice with the angels in Heaven. If you are still questioning or seeking, don’t go it alone, feel free to leave me a comment so we can discuss it.
Let’s pray:
^^^^^^^^^^^Will you be willing to put your name there today?
‘Again there was a day when the sons of God (angels) came to present themselves before the Lord , and Satan (adversary, accuser) also came among them to present himself before the Lord . The Lord said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Then Satan answered the Lord , “From roaming around on the earth and from walking around on it.” The Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered and reflected on My servant Job? For there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God [with reverence] and abstains from and turns away from evil [because he honors God]. And still he maintains and holds tightly to his integrity, although you incited Me against him to destroy him without cause.” Satan answered the Lord , “ Skin for skin! Yes, a man will give all he has for his life. But put forth Your hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh [and severely afflict him]; and he will curse You to Your face.” So the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, he is in your hand, only spare his life.”
So Satan departed from the presence of the Lord and struck Job with loathsome boils and agonizingly painful sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. And Job took a piece of broken pottery with which to scrape himself, and he sat [down] among the ashes (rubbish heaps).
Then his wife said to him, “Do you still cling to your integrity [and your faith and trust in God, without blaming Him]? Curse God and die!” But he said to her, “You speak as one of the [spiritually] foolish women speaks [ignorant and oblivious to God’s will]. Shall we indeed accept [only] good from God and not [also] accept adversity and disaster?” In [spite of] all this Job did not sin with [words from] his lips.
Now when Job’s three friends heard of all this adversity that had come upon him, each one came from his own place, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite; for they had made an appointment together to come to sympathize with him and to comfort him. When they looked from a distance and did not recognize him [because of his disfigurement], they raised their voices and wept; and each one tore his robe [in grief] and they threw dust over their heads toward the sky [in sorrow]. So they sat down on the ground with Job for seven days and seven nights and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his pain was very great.’
We saw how that first attempt by the devil didn’t work to get Job to curse God. We see as today’s reading begins how Satan is back in front of God like he was in the first chapter. We see how he was still out and about the earth looking for victims to assault. We see how Satan just like the angels had to do a regular check in with God to give an account of what they have been doing. In today’s study I learned about how Satan was an archangel like Michael and Gabriel and how each of them seemed to rule over a third of the angels. We need to live out lives prepared and aware of what the devil, Satan is up to:
‘Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour. ‘
We see from God’s response how Job had won round 1. We see how Satan isn’t ready to admin he was wrong. This time the focus went from Job’s stuff to Job himself. We even see how Satan tried to misrepresent the first trial as Job sacrificing his children, animals, and servants in order to save his own life which isn’t/wasn’t true when he said “skin for skin”. We see how even though the devil/Satan keeps accusing that God points out how Job continued to live with integrity and that Satan’s accusations were false and without cause. God calls out how it isn’t Job that is not the guilty party but rather the one that suffered disaster without fault. We learn how it was more of a conflict between God and Satan than anything to do with Job. We learn how in the heavenly God makes it clear that none of this had anything to do with punishment for what Job had done. Unlike what some may think or believe, suffering doesn’t always mean it is a punishment for something but can rather be for a divine heavenly purpose that we don’t know or can’t understand. We learn how Job stood firm, not wavering in his character nor his trust in God, in the midst of the loss caused by Satan of God’s material blessings on Job’s life.
In today’s reading we see how the devil moves it to the next level in order to afflict and affect Job’s health. We learn about the God allowed the devil to afflict Job’s health but wouldn’t allow him to kill him. We learn that the affliction that Satan gave Job was hateful · detestable · abhorrent · repulsive · odious · repugnant · repellent · disgusting · revolting · sickening · nauseating · abominable · despicable · contemptible · reprehensible · execrable · damnable · hideous · ghastly · vile · horrible · nasty · frightful · obnoxious · gross · foul · offensive · disagreeable · horrid · yucky · bogging · noisome boils. We learn that the affliction of these boils were excruciating · harrowing · racking · painful · acute · severe · intense · extreme · grievous · hellish · killing · searing · torturous · tormenting · piercing · insufferable · unbearable · unendurable · more than one can bear · more than flesh and blood can stand · exquisite. We also learn how they were significant enough that they were visible to others. We also learn how they were all over his body. Satan figured that if he got to affect Job’s physical well being that he would be able to proved how Job would turn against God. We see how the devil believes that man would give up everything in order to save his own life. Satan’s attacks are brutal if he is given permission to turn loose and have his own way. Satan wanted to push Job to that tipping point to prove his point. Satan knew that people can get shaken up if and when their are health issues and even more so if they come with pain. God limited Satan’s power so that he would not and could not kill Job. So in and through all of this trial from Satan, Job would not die from it.
From the description of the boils they sound similar to what afflicted the Egyptians back in the book of Exodus in chapter 9. To Job, the disease wasn’t just painful but life threatening. We see Job’s response to the attack was to take some broken pottery to scrape the boils and then to mourn again sitting in ashes and rubbish heaps. We learn throughout the story of Job the trauma that the boils caused him ( 2:13; 3:24; 7:5, 14; 13:28; 16:8; 19:17; 30:17, 30; 33:21). Imagine having to deal with that pain and trauma without the medical advantages we would have today to treat not only the boils but the pain too. We also learn how once Satan got permission that he probably rushed out to try and get started before Job had time to finish morning his losses. The study shares how Job went to where the lepers go outside the city and scraping the boils, possibly in hopes of releasing the infection.
We next learn about Job’s wife’s response to this affliction to Job. She seems to be leaning towards what Satan had predicted more than what God had predicted of Job’s actual response. We read how she asks him why he is keeping his integrity, his faith and trust in God, rather than just cursing God and dying. She probably didn’t realize that she was pushing Job to do what Satan the accuser was trying to get him to do. Ever heard of mercy killings and how some believe that it is better to kill/die than to suffer? It is possible that in this case it was what she believed. Interestingly enough Job’s wife didn’t say anything during the first attacks by Satan but this time, she realized that this was personal and going after him. Satan will try to use anything and everything and everyone in order to try and get his way. We see here how Job’s wife became an instrument to try and get Job to curse God and die. Satan will look for the weakest link and usually one that is closest to us in order to cause the most damage.
We see how Job responds to her though in keeping his faith and trust in God. We see how he says: “You speak as one of the [spiritually] foolish women speaks [ignorant and oblivious to God’s will]. Shall we indeed accept [only] good from God and not [also] accept adversity and disaster?” We see how he didn’t speak any such thing that would caused him to miss the mark and sin. We see how Job not only stood firm on his faith but also corrected his wife for her suggestions and ideas.
We next learn about three of Job’s friends who learned of Job’s situation and decided to come and morn and comfort him during this time. We learn about how they all traveled to be with their friend. We learn how they all decided to sit and mourn with him without saying a word for an entire week. Thru the study, I learned:
“Eliphaz” seems to have been the eldest and most prominent. He was from Teman, a well-known Edomite city where wise men lived (Jer. 49:20; Obad. Chapters 8 and 9). “Bildad the Shuhite” lived in the same general area inhabited by the descendants of Shuah, one of Abraham’s sons by Keturah (Gen. 25:1-2). “Zophar” also lived nearby in the area of Naamath.
We see how their intentions were good in our reading from chapter 2 but our opinions may changes as we read further into the book of Job. Today’s study notes also point to how their response to the severe devastation of the situation.
“Eliphaz … Bildad … and Zophar” were three sages who shared Job’s faith in God and whose initial intentions, to come “together” and “mourn with him” were the right ones. The intensity of their mourning, from the moment they saw Job and during “seven days” of silence, was appropriate for the devastation he had experience (Gen. 50:10; Rom. 12:15).
Job 2:11 “Now when Job’s three friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him, they came every one from his own place; Eliphaz the Temanite, and Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite: for they had made an appointment together to come to mourn with him and to comfort him.” “Temanite”: Most likely Teman was a city of Edom (Gen. 36:4, 11; Jer. 49:7, 20; Ezek. 25:13; Amos 1:12; Obad. 8 and 9). “Shuhite”: The Shuhites were descendants of Abraham through Keturah (Gen. 25:2, 6). “Naamathite”: A resident of an unknown location probably in Edom or Arabia, although some have suggested Naamah on the Edomite border (Joshua 15:41). True friends come to the aid of a friend in need. A good friend will pray with you, when there is trouble. A good friend will know the kind of person you are, and will not attack you like the rest of the world. These three men that came to Job, were friends of long standing. It appears, they were used to all getting together, and each helping the other decide what to do about problems. Distance is not a problem with true friends. All of these came from a long way to be with Job. These three men were friends of Job, because they were wise men. He honored their opinion. They came to comfort him and to mourn with him. “Eliphaz” means struggle against. “Bildad” means son of contention. “Zophar” means chatterer. It appears, these three friends came from different lands and met at Job’s dwelling.
Job 2:12 “And when they lifted up their eyes afar off, and knew him not, they lifted up their voice, and wept; and they rent every one his mantle, and sprinkled dust upon their heads toward heaven.” “When they lifted up their eyes afar off “: Namely, at some convenient distance from him; whom they found sitting upon the ground, probably in the open air. “And knew him not”: His countenance being so dreadfully changed and disfigured by the sores. “They lifted up their voice and wept”: Through their sympathy with him, and great grief for his heavy affliction. “And they rent every one his mantle”: As it was usual for people to do in great and sudden calamities. “And sprinkled dust on their heads toward heaven”: Either on the upper part of their heads toward heaven, or threw it up into the air, so that it fell upon their heads, and showed the confusion they were in. All which things were marks of great grief and affliction, and were the usual ways of expressing sorrow in those days. The boils covered his body so completely, that they did not even recognize Job when they saw him. Job was seated in a bed of ashes outside of his home. The friends could see him sitting there, but could not recognize his body covered in sores. When they saw him and knew it was Job, their grief overcame them. They tore their clothes, and threw ashes on their heads in extreme grief for the fate of their friend.
Job 2:13 “So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that [his] grief was very great.” “His grief was very great”: The expression actually meant that his disease produced pain that was still increasing. The agony was so great, his friends were speechless for a week. Sometimes, a person’s grief is so great that it is better not to speak to them. At those times, there is comfort in the presence of good friends. The seven days is questioned by many scholars, but I believe the time to be literal. The friends could have been fed, while they sat there. They could have wrapped up in their outer garments, and slept there with Job. It is possible that they fasted for this time, but probably they didn’t, since it was not mentioned.
So where are you at today? My hope and prayer is that You will ask Jesus into your heart so that I will get to spend eternity in God’s presence with you. Are you ready for forgiveness and peace? Are you ready for a hope and a future? Are you ready for a transformation where the old is gone and the new has come? Are you ready to being the journey of knowing right from wrong? Then let’s pray together to invite Jesus into your heart and your life so that His peace which surpasses all understanding can guide you and comfort you, protect your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. If this is the first time you have prayed to invite Jesus into your heart, leave me a comment so that I can rejoice with the angels in Heaven. If this is a re commitment to Jesus, leave me a comment so that I can rejoice with the angels in Heaven. If you are still questioning or seeking, don’t go it alone, feel free to leave me a comment so we can discuss it.
Let’s pray:
^^^^^^^^^^^Will you be willing to put your name there today?
Is it big enough that you will share it with others? Will you tell others about what you believe? Will you share the hope? Will you share the love? Will you share the truth? Will you share the reality of how a relationship with Jesus makes a huge difference in your life? Will you share the reality that it goes beyond routine, beyond rituals, beyond religion and requires a relationship? Will you offer Jesus to people? When you hear of a trouble or a trial or a challenge, will you offer, recommend, point people to Jesus? When you find people in the midst of a difficult situation will you have enough faith for them? When you find people in the midst of a difficult situation will you have enough faith to bring them to Jesus? When you find people in the midst of a difficult situation will you have enough faith to send them to Jesus? How great is your faith?
Will you go beyond being a hearer of the Word and become a doer of the Word? Will you allow your faith to be living and powerful by allowing your faith to produce works? Will you make time to engage people and have an encounter right where they are at? Will you take hold of the command to love God and love people? Will you live with your faith on your sleeves for everyone to see? Will you live your life in a way that people might consider approaching you and asking you about your faith and what you believe in? Are you preparing yourself every morning for who or what might come across your path.
Today’s reading from God’s Word starts out with a story of the faith of a young girl who points her mistress to send her husband to the man of God where his issue of leprosy could be addressed through the power of God in 2 Kings 5. Do you have enough faith to speak life into the people around you?
‘The king of Aram had great admiration for Naaman, the commander of his army, because through him the Lord had given Aram great victories. But though Naaman was a mighty warrior, he suffered from leprosy. At this time Aramean raiders had invaded the land of Israel, and among their captives was a young girl who had been given to Naaman’s wife as a maid. One day the girl said to her mistress, “I wish my master would go to see the prophet in Samaria. He would heal him of his leprosy.” So Naaman told the king what the young girl from Israel had said. “Go and visit the prophet,” the king of Aram told him. “I will send a letter of introduction for you to take to the king of Israel.” So Naaman started out, carrying as gifts 750 pounds of silver, 150 pounds of gold, and ten sets of clothing. The letter to the king of Israel said: “With this letter I present my servant Naaman. I want you to heal him of his leprosy.” When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes in dismay and said, “Am I God, that I can give life and take it away? Why is this man asking me to heal someone with leprosy? I can see that he’s just trying to pick a fight with me.” But when Elisha, the man of God, heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes in dismay, he sent this message to him: “Why are you so upset? Send Naaman to me, and he will learn that there is a true prophet here in Israel.” So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and waited at the door of Elisha’s house. But Elisha sent a messenger out to him with this message: “Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan River. Then your skin will be restored, and you will be healed of your leprosy.” But Naaman became angry and stalked away. “I thought he would certainly come out to meet me!” he said. “I expected him to wave his hand over the leprosy and call on the name of the Lord his God and heal me! Aren’t the rivers of Damascus, the Abana and the Pharpar, better than any of the rivers of Israel? Why shouldn’t I wash in them and be healed?” So Naaman turned and went away in a rage. But his officers tried to reason with him and said, “Sir, if the prophet had told you to do something very difficult, wouldn’t you have done it? So you should certainly obey him when he says simply, ‘Go and wash and be cured!’” So Naaman went down to the Jordan River and dipped himself seven times, as the man of God had instructed him. And his skin became as healthy as the skin of a young child, and he was healed! Then Naaman and his entire party went back to find the man of God. They stood before him, and Naaman said, “Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel. So please accept a gift from your servant.” But Elisha replied, “As surely as the Lord lives, whom I serve, I will not accept any gifts.” And though Naaman urged him to take the gift, Elisha refused. Then Naaman said, “All right, but please allow me to load two of my mules with earth from this place, and I will take it back home with me. From now on I will never again offer burnt offerings or sacrifices to any other god except the Lord . However, may the Lord pardon me in this one thing: When my master the king goes into the temple of the god Rimmon to worship there and leans on my arm, may the Lord pardon me when I bow, too.” “Go in peace,” Elisha said. So Naaman started home again. But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha, the man of God, said to himself, “My master should not have let this Aramean get away without accepting any of his gifts. As surely as the Lord lives, I will chase after him and get something from him.” So Gehazi set off after Naaman. When Naaman saw Gehazi running after him, he climbed down from his chariot and went to meet him. “Is everything all right?” Naaman asked. “Yes,” Gehazi said, “but my master has sent me to tell you that two young prophets from the hill country of Ephraim have just arrived. He would like 75 pounds of silver and two sets of clothing to give to them.” “By all means, take twice as much silver,” Naaman insisted. He gave him two sets of clothing, tied up the money in two bags, and sent two of his servants to carry the gifts for Gehazi. But when they arrived at the citadel, Gehazi took the gifts from the servants and sent the men back. Then he went and hid the gifts inside the house. When he went in to his master, Elisha asked him, “Where have you been, Gehazi?” “I haven’t been anywhere,” he replied. But Elisha asked him, “Don’t you realize that I was there in spirit when Naaman stepped down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to receive money and clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and cattle, and male and female servants? Because you have done this, you and your descendants will suffer from Naaman’s leprosy forever.” When Gehazi left the room, he was covered with leprosy; his skin was white as snow.’
‘In my vision I saw what appeared to be a throne of blue lapis lazuli above the crystal surface over the heads of the cherubim. Then the Lord spoke to the man in linen clothing and said, “Go between the whirling wheels beneath the cherubim, and take a handful of burning coals and scatter them over the city.” He did this as I watched. The cherubim were standing at the south end of the Temple when the man went in, and the cloud of glory filled the inner courtyard. Then the glory of the Lord rose up from above the cherubim and went over to the entrance of the Temple. The Temple was filled with this cloud of glory, and the courtyard glowed brightly with the glory of the Lord . The moving wings of the cherubim sounded like the voice of God Almighty and could be heard even in the outer courtyard. The Lord said to the man in linen clothing, “Go between the cherubim and take some burning coals from between the wheels.” So the man went in and stood beside one of the wheels. Then one of the cherubim reached out his hand and took some live coals from the fire burning among them. He put the coals into the hands of the man in linen clothing, and the man took them and went out. (All the cherubim had what looked like human hands under their wings.) I looked, and each of the four cherubim had a wheel beside him, and the wheels sparkled like beryl. All four wheels looked alike and were made the same; each wheel had a second wheel turning crosswise within it. The cherubim could move in any of the four directions they faced, without turning as they moved. They went straight in the direction they faced, never turning aside. Both the cherubim and the wheels were covered with eyes. The cherubim had eyes all over their bodies, including their hands, their backs, and their wings. I heard someone refer to the wheels as “the whirling wheels.” Each of the four cherubim had four faces: the first was the face of an ox, the second was a human face, the third was the face of a lion, and the fourth was the face of an eagle. Then the cherubim rose upward. These were the same living beings I had seen beside the Kebar River. When the cherubim moved, the wheels moved with them. When they lifted their wings to fly, the wheels stayed beside them. When the cherubim stopped, the wheels stopped. When they flew upward, the wheels rose up, for the spirit of the living beings was in the wheels. Then the glory of the Lord moved out from the entrance of the Temple and hovered above the cherubim. And as I watched, the cherubim flew with their wheels to the east gate of the Lord ’s Temple. And the glory of the God of Israel hovered above them. These were the same living beings I had seen beneath the God of Israel when I was by the Kebar River. I knew they were cherubim, for each had four faces and four wings and what looked like human hands under their wings. And their faces were just like the faces of the beings I had seen at the Kebar, and they traveled straight ahead, just as the others had.’
‘About that time King Herod Agrippa began to persecute some believers in the church. He had the apostle James (John’s brother) killed with a sword. When Herod saw how much this pleased the Jewish people, he also arrested Peter. (This took place during the Passover celebration. ) Then he imprisoned him, placing him under the guard of four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring Peter out for public trial after the Passover. But while Peter was in prison, the church prayed very earnestly for him. The night before Peter was to be placed on trial, he was asleep, fastened with two chains between two soldiers. Others stood guard at the prison gate. Suddenly, there was a bright light in the cell, and an angel of the Lord stood before Peter. The angel struck him on the side to awaken him and said, “Quick! Get up!” And the chains fell off his wrists. Then the angel told him, “Get dressed and put on your sandals.” And he did. “Now put on your coat and follow me,” the angel ordered. So Peter left the cell, following the angel. But all the time he thought it was a vision. He didn’t realize it was actually happening. They passed the first and second guard posts and came to the iron gate leading to the city, and this opened for them all by itself. So they passed through and started walking down the street, and then the angel suddenly left him. Peter finally came to his senses. “It’s really true!” he said. “The Lord has sent his angel and saved me from Herod and from what the Jewish leaders had planned to do to me!” When he realized this, he went to the home of Mary, the mother of John Mark, where many were gathered for prayer. He knocked at the door in the gate, and a servant girl named Rhoda came to open it. When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed that, instead of opening the door, she ran back inside and told everyone, “Peter is standing at the door!” “You’re out of your mind!” they said. When she insisted, they decided, “It must be his angel.” Meanwhile, Peter continued knocking. When they finally opened the door and saw him, they were amazed. He motioned for them to quiet down and told them how the Lord had led him out of prison. “Tell James and the other brothers what happened,” he said. And then he went to another place. At dawn there was a great commotion among the soldiers about what had happened to Peter. Herod Agrippa ordered a thorough search for him. When he couldn’t be found, Herod interrogated the guards and sentenced them to death. Afterward Herod left Judea to stay in Caesarea for a while.’
‘“Write this letter to the angel of the church in Ephesus. This is the message from the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand, the one who walks among the seven gold lampstands: “I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don’t tolerate evil people. You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not. You have discovered they are liars. You have patiently suffered for me without quitting. “But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches. But this is in your favor: You hate the evil deeds of the Nicolaitans, just as I do. “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. To everyone who is victorious I will give fruit from the tree of life in the paradise of God.’
‘Praise the Lord ! How joyful are those who fear the Lord and delight in obeying his commands. Their children will be successful everywhere; an entire generation of godly people will be blessed. They themselves will be wealthy, and their good deeds will last forever. Light shines in the darkness for the godly. They are generous, compassionate, and righteous. Good comes to those who lend money generously and conduct their business fairly. Such people will not be overcome by evil. Those who are righteous will be long remembered. They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the Lord to care for them. They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly. They share freely and give generously to those in need. Their good deeds will be remembered forever. They will have influence and honor. The wicked will see this and be infuriated. They will grind their teeth in anger; they will slink away, their hopes thwarted.’
So are you ready to give an answer for the hope that is within you? Are you prepared to do the good works that God has prepared in advance for you to accomplish? Are you on fire to share the Good News with the world around you? Don’t be lukewarm! Don’t forget the first love when you met Jesus! Do you believe enough to follow God’s instruction even when you think it is a dream? Let’s live out our lives showing how much we love by sharing the Good News and following after God like our lives depended on it. Let’s love others like when we first fell in love. Let’s be transformed from the inside out and allow the hope that is within us burn again and be shared with the world around us.
So have you met Jesus? It would be bad for me to not share my hope and fiath found in Jesus with you. Let’s pray together and I will open up this post so that you can leave comments to let me know if you prayed and received Jesus, prayed and returned to Jesus, or if you have any questions that we can discuss.
Leave me a comment so I can celebrate with your decision.
Leave me a comment so we can discuss your questions.
