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."
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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
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