ListenDaily - 28 July 2009: Unrecognizeable
Greetings from Merci Mission, NC! The readings this week may be short and sporadic, I am on a mission trip and get pc access when I can!
When Job's three friends, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite, heard about all the troubles that had come upon him, they set out from their homes and met together by agreement to go and sympathize with him and comfort him. When they saw him from a distance, they could hardly recognize him; they began to weep aloud, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads. Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was.
Job 2:11-13 NIV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
"When they saw him from a distance, they could hardly recognize him."
How bad was Job's condition, that his friends could hardly recognize him? They were going to his home, they knew where he was, and yet his condition was such that he looked like a stranger to them. Granted, his physical condition was terrible -- and that was a significant part of the problem.
But I think there was more...Job's suffering had caused a change in his countenance. We admire Job for not cursing God, but there is no record, thus far, of him crying out to God for help. After his 'first test' we are told that Job fell to the ground in worship. There is no similar response after his 'second test'. What might have been different if Job not only refused to curse God, but continued to worship?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What are your thoughts? 2.How does this passage make you feel? 3. Who is God to you?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"God, who foresaw your tribulation,
has specially armed you to go through it,
not without pain but without stain."
C.S.Lewis
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
ListenDaily - 27 July 2009: Bad theology; good practice
ListenDaily - 27 July 2009: Bad theology; good practice
Greetings from Merci Mission, NC! The readings this week may be short and sporadic, I am on a mission trip and get pc access when I can!
So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes. His wife said to him, "Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!" He replied, "You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.
Job 2:7-11 NIV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
"Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" Job was unaware of the repeated discourse between God and Satan. He did not know that Satan was directly the cause of his troubles; therefore attributed them to God. True, God allowed Satan to act, but nothing evil comes from God.
"In all this, Job did not sin in what he said." And yet, with his misunderstanding, he did right.
We may have misunderstandings in some of the finer points of theology; yet God is always right, always loving us -- so let us not sin in what we say or do.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What are your thoughts? 2.How does this passage make you feel? 3. Who is God to you?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"God, who foresaw your tribulation,
has specially armed you to go through it,
not without pain but without stain."
C.S.Lewis
Greetings from Merci Mission, NC! The readings this week may be short and sporadic, I am on a mission trip and get pc access when I can!
So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes. His wife said to him, "Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!" He replied, "You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.
Job 2:7-11 NIV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
"Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" Job was unaware of the repeated discourse between God and Satan. He did not know that Satan was directly the cause of his troubles; therefore attributed them to God. True, God allowed Satan to act, but nothing evil comes from God.
"In all this, Job did not sin in what he said." And yet, with his misunderstanding, he did right.
We may have misunderstandings in some of the finer points of theology; yet God is always right, always loving us -- so let us not sin in what we say or do.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What are your thoughts? 2.How does this passage make you feel? 3. Who is God to you?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"God, who foresaw your tribulation,
has specially armed you to go through it,
not without pain but without stain."
C.S.Lewis
Friday, July 24, 2009
ListenDaily - 24 July 2009: Who suffers?
On another day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them to present himself before him. And the LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered the LORD, "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it." Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason." "Skin for skin!" Satan replied. "A man will give all he has for his own life. But stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face."
The LORD said to Satan, "Very well, then, he is in your hands; but you must spare his life." Job 2:1-5 NIV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
As we read what happens to Job, it is tempting to see God's action here as cruel. Then I think of the account in Luke 22, where Jesus tells Peter that Satan has asked to sift through the disciples "as wheat" , which God also allows, and it could almost reinforce that notion.
But then I think of Jesus; then I think of you - and of me.
"For God so loved the world, that He sent His only begotten Son" for you - and for me. And how it must have hurt Him to send Jesus to suffer the abuse, humiliation, agony, and death - for you and for me. He loves us so much that He accepted that pain.
I don't understand why God allowed Satan to torment Job, but this I do know; as much as Job suffered, God suffered more. And my guess is that the whole reason Satan goes after any of us is to hurt our Father. Whatever we go through, the pain is magnified for Him. And when we choose to sin, how much that must pain God and please the enemy.
This stuff in Job gets pretty intense, and difficult to understand. But you know something? A three year old child does not comprehend why reaching up to touch a hot stove might result in a swat on the behind. And in that moment, he is being denied something he wants terribly, has received what he perceives to be devastating pain, and in his mind this does not add up to love.
But we know better.
And God, our loving Father, knows better than we do.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What are your thoughts? 2.How does this passage make you feel? 3. Who is God to you?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"God, who foresaw your tribulation,
has specially armed you to go through it,
not without pain but without stain."
C.S.Lewis
The LORD said to Satan, "Very well, then, he is in your hands; but you must spare his life." Job 2:1-5 NIV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
As we read what happens to Job, it is tempting to see God's action here as cruel. Then I think of the account in Luke 22, where Jesus tells Peter that Satan has asked to sift through the disciples "as wheat" , which God also allows, and it could almost reinforce that notion.
But then I think of Jesus; then I think of you - and of me.
"For God so loved the world, that He sent His only begotten Son" for you - and for me. And how it must have hurt Him to send Jesus to suffer the abuse, humiliation, agony, and death - for you and for me. He loves us so much that He accepted that pain.
I don't understand why God allowed Satan to torment Job, but this I do know; as much as Job suffered, God suffered more. And my guess is that the whole reason Satan goes after any of us is to hurt our Father. Whatever we go through, the pain is magnified for Him. And when we choose to sin, how much that must pain God and please the enemy.
This stuff in Job gets pretty intense, and difficult to understand. But you know something? A three year old child does not comprehend why reaching up to touch a hot stove might result in a swat on the behind. And in that moment, he is being denied something he wants terribly, has received what he perceives to be devastating pain, and in his mind this does not add up to love.
But we know better.
And God, our loving Father, knows better than we do.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What are your thoughts? 2.How does this passage make you feel? 3. Who is God to you?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"God, who foresaw your tribulation,
has specially armed you to go through it,
not without pain but without stain."
C.S.Lewis
Thursday, July 23, 2009
ListenDaily - 23 July 2009: Skin for skin? e
ListenDaily - 23 July 2009: Skin for skin?
Job's Second Test
On another day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them to present himself before him. And the LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered the LORD, "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it." Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason." "Skin for skin!" Satan replied. "A man will give all he has for his own life. But stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face." Job 2:1-5 NIV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
As I read this encounter,, I am trying, with great difficulty, to imagine all the 'skin for skin' -- all the times man has been stricken in his flesh and bones.
Every case of Alzheimer's.
Every child that ever starved to death..
Every person who has died in war.
Every act of street violence.
Every spouse ever abused.
Every disease.
Every injury.
All caused by Satan who wishes to ruin us for no reason.
Should that not send us all running into the loving arms of God?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What are your thoughts? 2. How do you see the war against our 'flesh and bones'? 3. Who is God to you?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
Blessed Be Your Name
by Matt Redman
Hear it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NL3NFhmxQxs
Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name
Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name
Job's Second Test
On another day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them to present himself before him. And the LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered the LORD, "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it." Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason." "Skin for skin!" Satan replied. "A man will give all he has for his own life. But stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face." Job 2:1-5 NIV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
As I read this encounter,, I am trying, with great difficulty, to imagine all the 'skin for skin' -- all the times man has been stricken in his flesh and bones.
Every case of Alzheimer's.
Every child that ever starved to death..
Every person who has died in war.
Every act of street violence.
Every spouse ever abused.
Every disease.
Every injury.
All caused by Satan who wishes to ruin us for no reason.
Should that not send us all running into the loving arms of God?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What are your thoughts? 2. How do you see the war against our 'flesh and bones'? 3. Who is God to you?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
Blessed Be Your Name
by Matt Redman
Hear it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NL3NFhmxQxs
Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name
Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
ListenDaily - 21 July 2009: Attain and maintain
ListenDaily - 21 July 2009: Attain and maintain
Wow, sorry for the gap in readings; we opened our new building for worship on Sunday, and the preparations kept me very busy all week. Next week I'll be gone on another mission trip, and I am unsure at this point if I'll have internet access.
Job's Second Test
On another day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them to present himself before him. And the LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered the LORD, "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it." Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason." Job 2:1-4 NIV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
"And he still maintains his integrity..."
Of all human actions recorded in the Bible, this is as significant as any. Faced with as much tragedy as anyone ever, Job maintained his integrity.
Without this, the book of Job need not have been written.
Without this, Job would not have been a worthy example for us.
Without this, Job would not have survived further attack. Through his continued integrity, Job was able to continually receive God's strength to stand. And this is a lesson for us. We must attain and maintain an accurate vision of who God is. Without that, how can we ever receive the strength He makes available to us? God never forces anything upon us. We must continually seek Him, and allow Him to give to us.
"May the name of the LORD be praised."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What enabled Job to maintain? 2. How do you respond to bad news? 3. Who is God to you?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
Blessed Be Your Name
by Matt Redman
Hear it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NL3NFhmxQxs
Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name
Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name
Wow, sorry for the gap in readings; we opened our new building for worship on Sunday, and the preparations kept me very busy all week. Next week I'll be gone on another mission trip, and I am unsure at this point if I'll have internet access.
Job's Second Test
On another day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them to present himself before him. And the LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered the LORD, "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it." Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason." Job 2:1-4 NIV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
"And he still maintains his integrity..."
Of all human actions recorded in the Bible, this is as significant as any. Faced with as much tragedy as anyone ever, Job maintained his integrity.
Without this, the book of Job need not have been written.
Without this, Job would not have been a worthy example for us.
Without this, Job would not have survived further attack. Through his continued integrity, Job was able to continually receive God's strength to stand. And this is a lesson for us. We must attain and maintain an accurate vision of who God is. Without that, how can we ever receive the strength He makes available to us? God never forces anything upon us. We must continually seek Him, and allow Him to give to us.
"May the name of the LORD be praised."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What enabled Job to maintain? 2. How do you respond to bad news? 3. Who is God to you?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
Blessed Be Your Name
by Matt Redman
Hear it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NL3NFhmxQxs
Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name
Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name
Friday, July 10, 2009
ListenDaily - 10 July 2009: Is it God's fault?
ListenDaily - 10 July 2009: Is it God's fault?
Job's First Test
In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing. Job 1:22 NIV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
If you can, please read chapter 2 for next week.
"In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing."
"In all this..." was pretty big. Job lost all of his livestock, all but three of his servants, and all of his children. We know that he was attacked by Satan, but what did Job know? He did not have the book that bears his name to get that information.
But remember, Job was a man who "...was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil...." Whatever he knew, or did not know, he knew that evil could not come from God. So that left him with two choices: 1) These were not acts of evil, however they appeared, or 2) God was not responsible.
We should have that perspective on everything! God cannot do evil, everything He does is good. We may not know which applies to a given circumstance, as Job may not have known. But this perspective allows us to say, along with Job:
"May the name of the LORD be praised."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What are your thoughts on Job's responses as recorded here? 2. How do you respond to bad news? 3. How might that be different if your first response was worship, and your second to praise?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
Blessed Be Your Name
by Matt Redman
Hear it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NL3NFhmxQxs
Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name
Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name
Job's First Test
In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing. Job 1:22 NIV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
If you can, please read chapter 2 for next week.
"In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing."
"In all this..." was pretty big. Job lost all of his livestock, all but three of his servants, and all of his children. We know that he was attacked by Satan, but what did Job know? He did not have the book that bears his name to get that information.
But remember, Job was a man who "...was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil...." Whatever he knew, or did not know, he knew that evil could not come from God. So that left him with two choices: 1) These were not acts of evil, however they appeared, or 2) God was not responsible.
We should have that perspective on everything! God cannot do evil, everything He does is good. We may not know which applies to a given circumstance, as Job may not have known. But this perspective allows us to say, along with Job:
"May the name of the LORD be praised."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What are your thoughts on Job's responses as recorded here? 2. How do you respond to bad news? 3. How might that be different if your first response was worship, and your second to praise?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
Blessed Be Your Name
by Matt Redman
Hear it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NL3NFhmxQxs
Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name
Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name
Thursday, July 9, 2009
ListenDaily - 09 July 2009: He is worthy!
ListenDaily - 09 July 2009: He is worthy!
Job's First Test
At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised."
Job 1:20-21 NIV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
If you can, please read chapter 2, which we'll cover over the next few days. I am beginning to see the book of Job as a study in preparation and response to hardships. Job may not have been planning on difficulty with intent, but he was "blameless and upright, he feared God and shunned evil" which is as good preparation as one can have. Now let us look at his response, including and going beyond his worship.
"At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head." These were the signs of grieving; and Job was grieving. Now whether he did this as an emotional response, or because it was the societal norm, or both, we do not know. But we do know that he was truly grieving.
"Then he fell to the ground in worship..." We covered this last time, but it bears repeating that in the midst of what we can only imagine as the most intense grief, that Job fell to his knees and worshiped God. Now, I don't want to state that which I do not know, but I find it interesting that it does not say that Job 'knelt down to worship', or that he 'lay down to worship', but that he "fell to the ground". I believe that Job's preparation, his constant seeking after God before these disasters, left him teetering at the edge of the only place he could go for help. He was so ever in the presence of God before this, that he simply collapsed into God's arms -- into worship.
At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised." In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.
"...and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart." Whatever Job's theology or doctrine or understanding about eternity were, he understood this basic truth; we don't bring anything into this world, and whatever material possessions we gain, we cannot take them with us.
"The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away..." One might argue that it was not God who 'took away' from Job, that it was Satan's doing. And one might counter that it was all done with God's permission. What is clearly evident, however, is that Job sees his place here, as steward, not owner..
"...may the name of the LORD be praised." This is a message we all need. God is to be praised regardless of our circumstances. God is worthy of worship, and worthy of praise...always. In the midst of good times and bad, He is to be praised. And it is not that God has some ego that He insists upon us stroking, no, the worthiness of God is the essential truth of the universe.
And...by praising Him and worshiping Him, we are more quickly brought into the place where we can be relieved, renewed, refreshed, and re-strengthened.
"May the name of the LORD be praised."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What are your thoughts on Job's responses as recorded here? 2. How do you respond to bad news? 3. How might that be different if your first response was worship, and your second to praise?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
Blessed Be Your Name
by Matt Redman
Hear it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NL3NFhmxQxs
Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name
Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name
Job's First Test
At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised."
Job 1:20-21 NIV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
If you can, please read chapter 2, which we'll cover over the next few days. I am beginning to see the book of Job as a study in preparation and response to hardships. Job may not have been planning on difficulty with intent, but he was "blameless and upright, he feared God and shunned evil" which is as good preparation as one can have. Now let us look at his response, including and going beyond his worship.
"At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head." These were the signs of grieving; and Job was grieving. Now whether he did this as an emotional response, or because it was the societal norm, or both, we do not know. But we do know that he was truly grieving.
"Then he fell to the ground in worship..." We covered this last time, but it bears repeating that in the midst of what we can only imagine as the most intense grief, that Job fell to his knees and worshiped God. Now, I don't want to state that which I do not know, but I find it interesting that it does not say that Job 'knelt down to worship', or that he 'lay down to worship', but that he "fell to the ground". I believe that Job's preparation, his constant seeking after God before these disasters, left him teetering at the edge of the only place he could go for help. He was so ever in the presence of God before this, that he simply collapsed into God's arms -- into worship.
At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised." In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.
"...and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart." Whatever Job's theology or doctrine or understanding about eternity were, he understood this basic truth; we don't bring anything into this world, and whatever material possessions we gain, we cannot take them with us.
"The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away..." One might argue that it was not God who 'took away' from Job, that it was Satan's doing. And one might counter that it was all done with God's permission. What is clearly evident, however, is that Job sees his place here, as steward, not owner..
"...may the name of the LORD be praised." This is a message we all need. God is to be praised regardless of our circumstances. God is worthy of worship, and worthy of praise...always. In the midst of good times and bad, He is to be praised. And it is not that God has some ego that He insists upon us stroking, no, the worthiness of God is the essential truth of the universe.
And...by praising Him and worshiping Him, we are more quickly brought into the place where we can be relieved, renewed, refreshed, and re-strengthened.
"May the name of the LORD be praised."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What are your thoughts on Job's responses as recorded here? 2. How do you respond to bad news? 3. How might that be different if your first response was worship, and your second to praise?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
Blessed Be Your Name
by Matt Redman
Hear it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NL3NFhmxQxs
Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name
Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
ListenDaily - 07 July 2009: Oh God, what am I going to do now?
ListenDaily - 07 July 2009: Oh God, what am I going to do now?
Job's First Test
One day when Job's sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother's house, a messenger came to Job and said, "The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, and the Sabeans attacked and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!" While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, "The fire of God fell from the sky and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!" While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, "The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!" While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, "Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother's house, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!"
At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised." In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.
Job 1:13-22 NIV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
"Then he fell to the ground in worship..."
Other than the actions of Christ Himself, is there a greater statement of profound faith than this, anywhere in the Bible?
"The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, and the Sabeans attacked and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword..."
"Then he fell to the ground in worship..."
"The fire of God fell from the sky and burned up the sheep and the servants..."
"Then he fell to the ground in worship..."
"The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword..."
"Then he fell to the ground in worship..."
"Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother's house, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead..."
"Then he fell to the ground in worship..."
As we move through this study, we will see that while Job did not understand everything that happened to him, he remembered the most important thing, God is still God, and all God does is right. His response to more tragedy than anyone can imagine was to worship. Centuries before Paul wrote the letters to the Thessalonians and the Philippians, Job understood the precepts: "give thanks in all circumstances" and "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Job did not question, he did not rail, he did not consult..."he fell to the ground in worship."
Amen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What is the importance of Job's act? 2. How do you respond to bad news? 3. How might that be different if your first response was worship?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling 'darkness' on the wall of his cell." C.S.Lewis
"If thou beest ever so exact in thy morals, and not a worshiper of God, then thou art an atheist." William Gurnall
"Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church. Worship is. Missions exists because worship doesn't." John Piper
"Beware in your prayers, above everything else, of limiting God, not only by unbelief, but by fancying that you know what He can do. Expect unexpected things, above all that we ask or think. Each time, before you Intercede, be quiet first, and worship God in His glory. Think of what He can do, and how He delights to hear the prayers of His redeemed people. Think of your place and privilege in Christ, and expect great things!" Andrew Murray
Job's First Test
One day when Job's sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother's house, a messenger came to Job and said, "The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, and the Sabeans attacked and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!" While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, "The fire of God fell from the sky and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!" While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, "The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!" While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, "Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother's house, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!"
At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised." In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.
Job 1:13-22 NIV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
"Then he fell to the ground in worship..."
Other than the actions of Christ Himself, is there a greater statement of profound faith than this, anywhere in the Bible?
"The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, and the Sabeans attacked and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword..."
"Then he fell to the ground in worship..."
"The fire of God fell from the sky and burned up the sheep and the servants..."
"Then he fell to the ground in worship..."
"The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword..."
"Then he fell to the ground in worship..."
"Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother's house, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead..."
"Then he fell to the ground in worship..."
As we move through this study, we will see that while Job did not understand everything that happened to him, he remembered the most important thing, God is still God, and all God does is right. His response to more tragedy than anyone can imagine was to worship. Centuries before Paul wrote the letters to the Thessalonians and the Philippians, Job understood the precepts: "give thanks in all circumstances" and "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Job did not question, he did not rail, he did not consult..."he fell to the ground in worship."
Amen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What is the importance of Job's act? 2. How do you respond to bad news? 3. How might that be different if your first response was worship?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling 'darkness' on the wall of his cell." C.S.Lewis
"If thou beest ever so exact in thy morals, and not a worshiper of God, then thou art an atheist." William Gurnall
"Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church. Worship is. Missions exists because worship doesn't." John Piper
"Beware in your prayers, above everything else, of limiting God, not only by unbelief, but by fancying that you know what He can do. Expect unexpected things, above all that we ask or think. Each time, before you Intercede, be quiet first, and worship God in His glory. Think of what He can do, and how He delights to hear the prayers of His redeemed people. Think of your place and privilege in Christ, and expect great things!" Andrew Murray
Monday, July 6, 2009
ListenDaily - 06 July 2009: Can't tell up from down...
ListenDaily - 06 July 2009: Can't tell up from down...
Job's First Test
One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them. The LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered the LORD, "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it." Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil." "Does Job fear God for nothing?" Satan replied. "Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face." The LORD said to Satan, "Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger." Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.
One day when Job's sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother's house, a messenger came to Job and said, "The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, and the Sabeans attacked and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!" While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, "The fire of God fell from the sky and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!" While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, "The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!" While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, "Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother's house, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!"
At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart.The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised." In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.
Job 1:6-22 NIV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
We will spend a few days in this passage, as there is so much here...so much which is easy to miss...and so much which can be easily misunderstood. I would like to start with: "One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them."
Do you find this statement startling? It startled me the first time I paid attention to it. I used to have a notion of of God being 'up there' and Satan being, you know...'down there'. But this passage certainly puts that notion aside. The picture we get here is the King of all there is, surrounded by a council of angels, and not just those who chose to stay obedient to God, but Satan as well. (What a contrast this is from the images in Revelation, after Satan is no more, when all Heavenly beings do nothing but worship God.)
As we read about Job's problems and consider our own, please remember this: God is indeed King, indeed sovereign, and Satan is limited within the authority of God.
We may not understand why Satan has been allowed to 'roam the Earth', but we must remember that though he is opposite in intent to God, he is not equal to God in any way, and can only maneuver within the limits allowed him. Whatever bad things happened to Job, whatever happened to Jesus, and whatever happens to believers even now, are all within the constraints in which Satan is allowed to work. The things that take place in the spiritual realm are largely beyond our understanding, but God loves you enough to allow His Son to be sacrificed for you, and your ultimate good is His goal.
Satan was defeated when the stone was rolled away. His last whimpering efforts may cause us pain, but ultimately God will be glorified.
Amen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. How does the image of Satan approaching God affect your thinking? 2. How do you compare God and Satan in regards to their intent? Their authority? Their power? 3. What Scriptures confirm those comparisons?
INTERESTING THOUGHT:
"A man may lose the good things of this life against his will;
but if he loses the eternal blessings, he does so with his own consent."
Augustine
--
Job's First Test
One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them. The LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered the LORD, "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it." Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil." "Does Job fear God for nothing?" Satan replied. "Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face." The LORD said to Satan, "Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger." Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.
One day when Job's sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother's house, a messenger came to Job and said, "The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, and the Sabeans attacked and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!" While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, "The fire of God fell from the sky and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!" While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, "The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!" While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, "Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother's house, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!"
At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart.The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised." In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.
Job 1:6-22 NIV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
We will spend a few days in this passage, as there is so much here...so much which is easy to miss...and so much which can be easily misunderstood. I would like to start with: "One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them."
Do you find this statement startling? It startled me the first time I paid attention to it. I used to have a notion of of God being 'up there' and Satan being, you know...'down there'. But this passage certainly puts that notion aside. The picture we get here is the King of all there is, surrounded by a council of angels, and not just those who chose to stay obedient to God, but Satan as well. (What a contrast this is from the images in Revelation, after Satan is no more, when all Heavenly beings do nothing but worship God.)
As we read about Job's problems and consider our own, please remember this: God is indeed King, indeed sovereign, and Satan is limited within the authority of God.
We may not understand why Satan has been allowed to 'roam the Earth', but we must remember that though he is opposite in intent to God, he is not equal to God in any way, and can only maneuver within the limits allowed him. Whatever bad things happened to Job, whatever happened to Jesus, and whatever happens to believers even now, are all within the constraints in which Satan is allowed to work. The things that take place in the spiritual realm are largely beyond our understanding, but God loves you enough to allow His Son to be sacrificed for you, and your ultimate good is His goal.
Satan was defeated when the stone was rolled away. His last whimpering efforts may cause us pain, but ultimately God will be glorified.
Amen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. How does the image of Satan approaching God affect your thinking? 2. How do you compare God and Satan in regards to their intent? Their authority? Their power? 3. What Scriptures confirm those comparisons?
INTERESTING THOUGHT:
"A man may lose the good things of this life against his will;
but if he loses the eternal blessings, he does so with his own consent."
Augustine
--
Friday, July 3, 2009
ListenDaily - 03 July 2009: Doing everything right, but...
ListenDaily - 03 July 2009: Doing everything right, but...
As we press into the Book of Job, it would be helpful for you, though not necessary, to read a bit more than what I include here. I would recommend reading through chapter 1, today, and again over the weekend, maybe a few times
Job can be broken down into some specific sections, and I plan to go through these sections, highlighting certain elements. I do, however, believe very much in the old Jewish saying; "Man plans, God laughs." That being said, the plan is to follow the following outline, in some manner, not necessarily one day per section:
Prologue: 1: 1-5
1st test: 1: 6-22
2nd test: 2:1-10
Job speaking to his friends: 2:11 - 3:26
Eliphaz speaking, Job replying: 4-7
Bildad speaking, Job replying: 8-10
Zophar speaking, Job replying: 11-14
Eliphaz speaking, Job replying: 15-17
Bildad speaking, Job replying:18-19
Zophar speaking, Job replying: 20-21
Eliphaz speaking, Job replying: 22-24
Bildad speaking, Job replying: 25-31
The young man, Elihu speaking: 32-37
God speaking out of the storm, Job replying: 38-42:6
Epilogue: 42:7-17
In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil. He had seven sons and three daughters, and he owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred donkeys, and had a large number of servants. He was the greatest man among all the people of the East. His sons used to take turns holding feasts in their homes, and they would invite their three
sisters to eat and drink with them. When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would send and have them purified. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, "Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts." This was Job's regular custom.
Job 1:5 NIV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
Let us see what this prologue to the story of Job tells us about the man:
He was a good man -- "blameless and upright".
He was a Godly man -- "he feared God and shunned evil. "
He had a large family and was wealthy -- "he had seven sons and three daughters, and he owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred donkeys, and had a large number of servants. He was the greatest man among all the people of the East.
His children's behavior concerned him -- "his sons used to take turns holding feasts in their homes, and they would invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them.
He responded as the good and Godly man he was -- "when a period of feasting had run its course, Job would send
and have them purified. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, "Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts." This was Job's regular custom.
Scholars believe that Job lived at the same time as the Patriarchs, but had little if any contact with, or knowledge of them. He obviously knew God, however, and sought to be the Godly head of his household. I would like to point out two specific things about Job's character, of which we are given insight in these verses:
1) Being a good and Godly person does not provide escape from the ills of this world; as a matter of fact, it might place you more squarely in Satan's cross hairs.
2) Walking in the will of God does guarantee that He will be with you always, and that the end result will be that you see Him.
Amen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. Have you ever read the Book of Job? 2. Do you have any notions about it? 3. Will you ask God to teach you through it, and pray that I will say what He wants me to say?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"A man may lose the good things of this life against his will;
but if he loses the eternal blessings, he does so with his own consent."
Augustine
As we press into the Book of Job, it would be helpful for you, though not necessary, to read a bit more than what I include here. I would recommend reading through chapter 1, today, and again over the weekend, maybe a few times
Job can be broken down into some specific sections, and I plan to go through these sections, highlighting certain elements. I do, however, believe very much in the old Jewish saying; "Man plans, God laughs." That being said, the plan is to follow the following outline, in some manner, not necessarily one day per section:
Prologue: 1: 1-5
1st test: 1: 6-22
2nd test: 2:1-10
Job speaking to his friends: 2:11 - 3:26
Eliphaz speaking, Job replying: 4-7
Bildad speaking, Job replying: 8-10
Zophar speaking, Job replying: 11-14
Eliphaz speaking, Job replying: 15-17
Bildad speaking, Job replying:18-19
Zophar speaking, Job replying: 20-21
Eliphaz speaking, Job replying: 22-24
Bildad speaking, Job replying: 25-31
The young man, Elihu speaking: 32-37
God speaking out of the storm, Job replying: 38-42:6
Epilogue: 42:7-17
In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil. He had seven sons and three daughters, and he owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred donkeys, and had a large number of servants. He was the greatest man among all the people of the East. His sons used to take turns holding feasts in their homes, and they would invite their three
sisters to eat and drink with them. When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would send and have them purified. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, "Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts." This was Job's regular custom.
Job 1:5 NIV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
Let us see what this prologue to the story of Job tells us about the man:
He was a good man -- "blameless and upright".
He was a Godly man -- "he feared God and shunned evil. "
He had a large family and was wealthy -- "he had seven sons and three daughters, and he owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred donkeys, and had a large number of servants. He was the greatest man among all the people of the East.
His children's behavior concerned him -- "his sons used to take turns holding feasts in their homes, and they would invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them.
He responded as the good and Godly man he was -- "when a period of feasting had run its course, Job would send
and have them purified. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, "Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts." This was Job's regular custom.
Scholars believe that Job lived at the same time as the Patriarchs, but had little if any contact with, or knowledge of them. He obviously knew God, however, and sought to be the Godly head of his household. I would like to point out two specific things about Job's character, of which we are given insight in these verses:
1) Being a good and Godly person does not provide escape from the ills of this world; as a matter of fact, it might place you more squarely in Satan's cross hairs.
2) Walking in the will of God does guarantee that He will be with you always, and that the end result will be that you see Him.
Amen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. Have you ever read the Book of Job? 2. Do you have any notions about it? 3. Will you ask God to teach you through it, and pray that I will say what He wants me to say?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"A man may lose the good things of this life against his will;
but if he loses the eternal blessings, he does so with his own consent."
Augustine
Thursday, July 2, 2009
ListenDaily - 02 July 2009: Applying the oldest...
ListenDaily - 02 July 2009: Applying the oldest...
I asked the following question the other day:
"How has God blessed you lately?" And got the greatest response: When you are 71 years old, in the swimming pool with your 4 year old grandson, fightling the Ninja Turtle, and he hollers "Come save me, Princess"., you know God has blessed you. With much love, Evelyn
I also asked: "Is there a passage, an idea, or a question that you would like to investigate here in the ListenDaily?" To which my good friend Steve replied:
Jim, I wouldn't mind seeing an exploration of Job. I see a lot of philosophical uses for Job in today's world. I am sure that many people feel that what they are doing is right in spite of what we see in our everyday world. Let's face it, it can be tough to be a Christian in today's world. Steve K.
What a great idea! Now, Job is 42 chapters long, and so we won't be doing an in-depth word study. Instead, we will look at the major themes and, as Steve requested, how the lessons from Job can be applied to our lives in 2009. For example, if we all lived as Job is described in the very first verse, wouldn't our lives be so improved?
In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job.
This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil.
Job 1:1 NIV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
Indeed this is a good example for all of us, we should, indeed, be blameless, upright, fear God, and shun evil, but as we will learn from Job, this does not guarantee an easy life, ol' Job had it pretty rough for a while.
A little introduction:
Job is generally considered to be the first book of the Bible ever written.
It is believed, though undated, to have taken place in what would be the middle (give or take a chapter) of Genesis.
The author is unknown; Job, Moses, and Solomon have all been proposed.
It took place in Uz, northeast of Palestine.
In the layout of the Bible, it is considered the first of the Old Testament 'Books of Poetry', to include Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. Have you ever read the Book of Job? 2. Do you have any notions about it? 3. Will you ask God to teach you through it, and pray that I will say what He wants me to say?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"The Bible is either absolute, or it's obsolete."
Leonard Ravenhill
The Word of God confronts us as our adversary
before he makes himself our Lord and Master.
Donald Bloesch
"The Holy Scriptures are our letters from home."
Augustine
"A man may lose the good things of this life against his will;
but if he loses the eternal blessings, he does so with his own consent."
Augustine
I asked the following question the other day:
"How has God blessed you lately?" And got the greatest response: When you are 71 years old, in the swimming pool with your 4 year old grandson, fightling the Ninja Turtle, and he hollers "Come save me, Princess"., you know God has blessed you. With much love, Evelyn
I also asked: "Is there a passage, an idea, or a question that you would like to investigate here in the ListenDaily?" To which my good friend Steve replied:
Jim, I wouldn't mind seeing an exploration of Job. I see a lot of philosophical uses for Job in today's world. I am sure that many people feel that what they are doing is right in spite of what we see in our everyday world. Let's face it, it can be tough to be a Christian in today's world. Steve K.
What a great idea! Now, Job is 42 chapters long, and so we won't be doing an in-depth word study. Instead, we will look at the major themes and, as Steve requested, how the lessons from Job can be applied to our lives in 2009. For example, if we all lived as Job is described in the very first verse, wouldn't our lives be so improved?
In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job.
This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil.
Job 1:1 NIV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
Indeed this is a good example for all of us, we should, indeed, be blameless, upright, fear God, and shun evil, but as we will learn from Job, this does not guarantee an easy life, ol' Job had it pretty rough for a while.
A little introduction:
Job is generally considered to be the first book of the Bible ever written.
It is believed, though undated, to have taken place in what would be the middle (give or take a chapter) of Genesis.
The author is unknown; Job, Moses, and Solomon have all been proposed.
It took place in Uz, northeast of Palestine.
In the layout of the Bible, it is considered the first of the Old Testament 'Books of Poetry', to include Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. Have you ever read the Book of Job? 2. Do you have any notions about it? 3. Will you ask God to teach you through it, and pray that I will say what He wants me to say?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"The Bible is either absolute, or it's obsolete."
Leonard Ravenhill
The Word of God confronts us as our adversary
before he makes himself our Lord and Master.
Donald Bloesch
"The Holy Scriptures are our letters from home."
Augustine
"A man may lose the good things of this life against his will;
but if he loses the eternal blessings, he does so with his own consent."
Augustine
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