Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. And he said:
“ Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
And naked shall I return there.
The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away;
Blessed be the name of the LORD.”
In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.--Job 1:20-22
I LOVE Job! His story and these words have been an encouragement and a testimony to me of living by faith...of accepting all that comes my way with worship and words of faith. Job took all his emotion to the Lord and released it through worship!
Job did not have the benefit of reading Chapter 1 like I do. He had no idea what was happening behind the scenes. I know this was a test that God was allowing in his life. I know what God really thought of him. Job has been an example not only to me, but for countless others throughout time. His story reminds us that even though it seems like God has forsaken us there is a lot going on that we do not see. These verses remind me of all that Job went through. No one was tested like Job. And yet he endured and was able to say this:
But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.
Here is what James says about Job:
My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.
If Job endured, then I can too and so can you! Job's choosing to worship the Lord at a time of such deep sorrow and loss is and has always been such a comfort to me as I face my own grief and sorrow. I can wait on the Lord who is compassionate and merciful. I can wait on Him who loved me enough to die for me. I can wait on Him because my hope is sure and certain in Heaven. I can wait because like Moses I choose to see the "invisible" by faith.
By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.—Hebrews 11:24-27
Wednesday, August 21, 2019
Psalm 37
Such good instruction from Ps 37 today, also!
Trust in the LORD, and do good;
Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
Delight yourself also in the LORD,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart...Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him;...Do not fret--it only causes harm.—Ps 37:3-4; 7a; 8b
Trust in the LORD, and do good;
Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
Delight yourself also in the LORD,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart...Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him;...Do not fret--it only causes harm.—Ps 37:3-4; 7a; 8b
1 Corinthians 13
"And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love." —1 Corinthians 13:13
First Corinthians 13 contains some of the most instructive, most useful and most beautiful verses in all of Scripture. ❤️
Right now, the believer abides in faith, hope, and love. But when Christ comes for us, faith will become sight, and hope will be fulfilled But not love! It abides forever. Love. It's the fruit of the Spirit from which joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control derive. If you have love, you have everything; if you do not have love, you have nothing.
First Corinthians 13 contains some of the most instructive, most useful and most beautiful verses in all of Scripture. ❤️
Right now, the believer abides in faith, hope, and love. But when Christ comes for us, faith will become sight, and hope will be fulfilled But not love! It abides forever. Love. It's the fruit of the Spirit from which joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control derive. If you have love, you have everything; if you do not have love, you have nothing.
Esther 9
And Mordecai wrote these things and sent letters to all the Jews, near and far, who were in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus,
21 to establish among them that they should celebrate yearly the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar,
22 as the days on which the Jews had rest from their enemies, as the month which was turned from sorrow to joy for them, and from mourning to a holiday; that they should make them days of feasting and joy, of sending presents to one another and gifts to the poor.—Esther 9:20-22
There will come a day when verse 22 will come alive in each of our lives as believers. No trial last forever and this world is not our home. I don’t look forward to the actual process of dying, but I do look to that day when He will wipe every tear from my eyes. On THAT day there will be no more death, nor sorrow, nor pain.
It happens even now when God delivers us from trials. Like the Jews in the kingdom of Ahasuerus, we rejoice! Our sorrow is turned to joy.
I am so thankful that Jesus uses our deepest pain and sorrow to transform us into His likeness and through them bring us our greatest joys. Warren Wiersbe says that He turns our trials into triumphs. What a picture of the heart of our Father. He even uses the inevitable and unavoidable sin and suffering of this fallen world for His glory and our good. How kind of Him...How good of Him...How merciful and compassionate of Him! The way of suffering is the way of spiritual maturity. So in your time of tribulation, look ahead...be mature...do not be short-sighted. Remember Romans 8:28. Remember Joseph's hopeless situation...they meant it for evil but God meant it for good and brought victory.
21 to establish among them that they should celebrate yearly the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar,
22 as the days on which the Jews had rest from their enemies, as the month which was turned from sorrow to joy for them, and from mourning to a holiday; that they should make them days of feasting and joy, of sending presents to one another and gifts to the poor.—Esther 9:20-22
There will come a day when verse 22 will come alive in each of our lives as believers. No trial last forever and this world is not our home. I don’t look forward to the actual process of dying, but I do look to that day when He will wipe every tear from my eyes. On THAT day there will be no more death, nor sorrow, nor pain.
It happens even now when God delivers us from trials. Like the Jews in the kingdom of Ahasuerus, we rejoice! Our sorrow is turned to joy.
I am so thankful that Jesus uses our deepest pain and sorrow to transform us into His likeness and through them bring us our greatest joys. Warren Wiersbe says that He turns our trials into triumphs. What a picture of the heart of our Father. He even uses the inevitable and unavoidable sin and suffering of this fallen world for His glory and our good. How kind of Him...How good of Him...How merciful and compassionate of Him! The way of suffering is the way of spiritual maturity. So in your time of tribulation, look ahead...be mature...do not be short-sighted. Remember Romans 8:28. Remember Joseph's hopeless situation...they meant it for evil but God meant it for good and brought victory.
The cross is the greatest example. The darkest hour of history...the hour where Jesus suffered pain and agony unimaginable...became the brightest hour...the cross which previously had been accursed..became a symbol for hope, glory and victory.
We fight as those who have already won...Jon Courson tells us we begin at the finish line. So be of good cheer!
"These things I have spoken to you, that “IN Me” you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."—John 16:33
Psalm 36:9
For with You is the fountain of life;
In Your light we see light.—Ps 36:9
With You Father, is abundant life...life that bubbles up eternally. Life that is fed from the wells of living water that spring up into everlasting life. Goodness and hope are poured forth in abundance. Your light shines and makes the cascading waters sparkle. Your goodness overflows us and Your light enables us to see Truth. You ARE the fountain of living water and therefore with joy will we draw water from Your wells of salvation. He who puts his trust in You is filled with Your goodness and out of his heart flow rivers of this living water. You ARE our light and our salvation. The Light of Life follows US! The Lord our God lightens OUR darkness and shines on us, in us and through us. It is God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness...He has shined in our hearts, to give the light of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
We are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation...WE are His own special people that we may proclaim the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. The path of the just (US!) is like the shining sun, that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day!
In Your light we see light.—Ps 36:9
With You Father, is abundant life...life that bubbles up eternally. Life that is fed from the wells of living water that spring up into everlasting life. Goodness and hope are poured forth in abundance. Your light shines and makes the cascading waters sparkle. Your goodness overflows us and Your light enables us to see Truth. You ARE the fountain of living water and therefore with joy will we draw water from Your wells of salvation. He who puts his trust in You is filled with Your goodness and out of his heart flow rivers of this living water. You ARE our light and our salvation. The Light of Life follows US! The Lord our God lightens OUR darkness and shines on us, in us and through us. It is God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness...He has shined in our hearts, to give the light of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
We are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation...WE are His own special people that we may proclaim the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. The path of the just (US!) is like the shining sun, that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day!
Psalm 36:7
How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God!
Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.—Ps 36:7
Oh, Father...Your lovingkindness IS precious. There is nothing the world can give us that can remotely compare. How great is Your goodness that You have laid up for those who fear You! For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive. You are abundant in mercy to them that call upon You. We will utter the memory of Your great goodness, and shall sing of Your righteousness. You are good to all, and Your tender mercies are over all Your works. All Your works shall praise You and Your saints shall bless You. We shall speak of Your glory and talk of Your power. For You, our God, so loved the world, that You gave us Your Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! How precious are Your thoughts toward us, O God! How great is the sum of them! Keep us as the apple of Your eye and hide us under the shadow of Your wings. You shall cover us with Your feathers...Your truth shall be our shield and buckler. You will recompense our work and give us a full reward. Be merciful to us, O God, be merciful to us...for our soul trusts in You and in the shadow of Your wings, will we make our refuge until these calamities are past. ❤️
Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.—Ps 36:7
Oh, Father...Your lovingkindness IS precious. There is nothing the world can give us that can remotely compare. How great is Your goodness that You have laid up for those who fear You! For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive. You are abundant in mercy to them that call upon You. We will utter the memory of Your great goodness, and shall sing of Your righteousness. You are good to all, and Your tender mercies are over all Your works. All Your works shall praise You and Your saints shall bless You. We shall speak of Your glory and talk of Your power. For You, our God, so loved the world, that You gave us Your Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! How precious are Your thoughts toward us, O God! How great is the sum of them! Keep us as the apple of Your eye and hide us under the shadow of Your wings. You shall cover us with Your feathers...Your truth shall be our shield and buckler. You will recompense our work and give us a full reward. Be merciful to us, O God, be merciful to us...for our soul trusts in You and in the shadow of Your wings, will we make our refuge until these calamities are past. ❤️
Nehemiah....
If I had to describe Nehemiah in one word, I would describe him as “tenacious”. The words “so I contended” are used often in Chapter 13 as he confronted those who had returned to their former ways while he had traveled back to Persia for a time.
And I confronted them and cursed them and beat some of them and pulled out their hair. And I made them take an oath in the name of God, saying, "You shall not give your daughters to their sons, or take their daughters for your sons or for yourselves. (Nehemiah 13:25, ESV)
Pretty formidable man who feared God and not man.
Chapter 13 brings OT history to a close. The books that come after Nehemiah are chronologically before this time with the exception of Malachi which was written during the time of Nehemiah’s absence from Judah.
And I confronted them and cursed them and beat some of them and pulled out their hair. And I made them take an oath in the name of God, saying, "You shall not give your daughters to their sons, or take their daughters for your sons or for yourselves. (Nehemiah 13:25, ESV)
Pretty formidable man who feared God and not man.
Chapter 13 brings OT history to a close. The books that come after Nehemiah are chronologically before this time with the exception of Malachi which was written during the time of Nehemiah’s absence from Judah.
Nehemiah 13:1-2
On that day they read from the Book of Moses in the hearing of the people. And in it was found written that no Ammonite or Moabite should ever enter the assembly of God, (Nehemiah 13:1-2, ESV)
The Israelites read on a regular calendar cycle...kind of similar in a way to our OYB. It makes sense then, that as they read, they were confronted with areas in which their thinking and practice had wavered from the Scriptures. So thankful for the guidance and conviction the daily reading of Scripture brings to my heart and mind. It makes this verse from Ps 139 come alive.
You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. (Psalms 139:5, ESV)
And this one from 2nd Timothy...
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17, ESV)
The Israelites read on a regular calendar cycle...kind of similar in a way to our OYB. It makes sense then, that as they read, they were confronted with areas in which their thinking and practice had wavered from the Scriptures. So thankful for the guidance and conviction the daily reading of Scripture brings to my heart and mind. It makes this verse from Ps 139 come alive.
You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. (Psalms 139:5, ESV)
And this one from 2nd Timothy...
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17, ESV)
All Things are Lawful...
"All things are lawful," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful," but not all things build up. (1 Corinthians 10:23, ESV)
Paul gives us four principles of Christian liberty in 10:23-30. My favorite is the first one in verse 24:
Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.
It reminds me of other verses in the Bible that exhort me to love...
Owe no one anything but love...love is the fulfillment of the law
Love one another fervently from a pure heart...
Love suffers long and is kind....
Love covers a multitude of sins...
If I am seeking the good of my neighbor over myself than in effect I am doing all of the principles Paul outlined because I am loving them. I am putting off pride that pushes for its own way and also conceit which looks for personal glory rather than the glory of God.
Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.—1 Corinthians 8:1b
Paul gives us four principles of Christian liberty in 10:23-30. My favorite is the first one in verse 24:
Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.
It reminds me of other verses in the Bible that exhort me to love...
Owe no one anything but love...love is the fulfillment of the law
Love one another fervently from a pure heart...
Love suffers long and is kind....
Love covers a multitude of sins...
If I am seeking the good of my neighbor over myself than in effect I am doing all of the principles Paul outlined because I am loving them. I am putting off pride that pushes for its own way and also conceit which looks for personal glory rather than the glory of God.
Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.—1 Corinthians 8:1b
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