Good Advice from Jeremiah…

 4 Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all who were carried away captive, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem to Babylon:

5 Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit. 6 Take wives and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, so that they may bear sons and daughters—that you may be increased there, and not diminished. 7 And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the LORD for it; for in its peace you will have peace.

10 For thus says the LORD: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place. 11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.—Jeremiah 29:4-7;10-11

As I read these words from Jeremiah 29 my heart rejoiced in its wisdom. Jeremiah’s advice to the Jewish exiles in Babylon was good not only for them, but also for us as we face the inevitable trials that accompany life in this fallen world. Beloved…This world is not our home.  As believers we are sojourners and pilgrims here on this earth. Our hope is in heaven.  We walk by faith, not by sight.

13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. 15 And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.—Hebrews 11:13-16

Father….Help me to live as Jeremiah advises.  By Your Spirit may I surrender to whatever situation You, in Your wisdom, have allowed in my life and make the best of it.   May I press forward and not back.  

12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Help me not to complain but to trust You…

Trust Your purposes…

Trust Your car and Your provision….

Trust Your timing.  

Trust that that You will see me through and will use all in my life for my good and Your glory. 

Oh Father…remind me to pray…to turn my pour heart upside down before You. You are my refuge and my very present help.  Write these words from Philippians 4 that parallel Jeremiah’s on my heart. parallel Jeremiah’s. 

4 Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, take pleasure in Him]; again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentle spirit [your graciousness, unselfishness, mercy, tolerance, and patience] be known to all people. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. 7 And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours].

8 Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God's word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart].—Philippians 4:4-8 AMP

Beloved our Hope is in Him.  Look to Him and to Him alone for your help.  Fill your heart with His word, live in His peace and accept His will for you.  Take to heart God’s beautiful promise in verse 11.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Notes on Job Chapters 32-37

 Job 32:1-5 Job's friends cease from speaking because Job is still considering himself righteous. He is not admitting to any secret or protracted sin in his life.  Elihu...the youngest of the four comforters and one who has not spoken before can't keep from speaking now.  He is angry at the other three because they did not provide Job with a real answer and yet condemned him.  He is angry at Job because Job was justifying himself rather than God.

Job 32:6-22 Elihu says that he has held off from speaking because of his youth.  Now, however, he can't hold back.  If he does not speak, he will burst.  Elihu also implies that he will be speaking God's words.  This will be confirmed later on.  I am seeing a big red flag here...how about you?  Since the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God, Elihu would be better off if he kept quiet.  Elihu thinks he knows something.  We all have to be so careful here.  So many of us are quick to judge situations and circumstances we see in the lives of others without knowing all the facts...without having walked a mile in their shoes. We speak without a heart of love for the person we are trying to help.  Arrogance and pride are so easy for me to see in others...so much harder to see it in myself.  Praying that God will show me because I do not want to be an Elihu!!  Ever!  Praying that I will also pray more and speak less!

Job 33:1-7 These words of Elihu are so filled with Elihu that I must put them here.  No words of explanation are needed.  His own words testify to his pride and arrogance.


1 “But please, Job, hear my speech,
      And listen to all my words.

 2 Now, I open my mouth;
      My tongue speaks in my mouth.

 3 My words come from my upright heart;
      My lips utter pure knowledge.

 4 The Spirit of God has made me,
      And the breath of the Almighty gives me life.

 5 If you can answer me,
      Set your words in order before me;
      Take your stand.

 6 Truly I am as your spokesman[a] before God;
      I also have been formed out of clay.

 7 Surely no fear of me will terrify you,
      Nor will my hand be heavy on you.

Job 33:8-33 Elihu responds to Job's claims of innocence and also to his claim  that God was his enemy.  The two did not add up.  God is gracious.  He is not your enemy, Job, says Elihu. 

Job had also complained that God did not speak to him.  Elihu responds by saying God speaks to us in various ways (dreams, visions, special messengers) and that God does not need to defend his actions before man.  Elihu claims to be God's messenger to show Job that God is not whimsical. He does what He does because He wants to direct Job away from the pit and restore him back to Himself. Elihu is implying that Job was not hearing from God because Job was not listening. Job should listen to one as Elihu to teach him wisdom. God was using Elihu to get Job back on a godly path!  Truly I feel for Job here. 

Job 34:1-35:16  Elihu proclaims God's justice.  He is angry at Job because Job has said that God had taken away his justice and that it does not profit a man to delight in God.  Elihu says that God is not manipulated by man's actions and does not do wickedly nor does he pervert justice.  God also does not show partiality.  Elihu says that Job is sinning by how he is speaking about God.   He counsels Job to wait on God and to be patient....


Job 36:1-37:24  Here is where Elihu very clearly claims to be speaking for God.


2 “Bear with me a little, and I will show you
      That there are yet words to speak on God’s behalf.
 3 I will fetch my knowledge from afar;
      I will ascribe righteousness to my Maker.


Elihu then goes on to speak of God's goodness, greatness and majesty in His dealings with man be they righteous or wicked and in his dealings with nature. His advice to Job is to stand still and consider the wondrous works of God.  In view of such greatness what can man teach God.  


Applications for us...

If you can get beyond Elihu's arrogance in Chapter 33 (a big IF) he does say some pretty insightful stuff. 

Here are some verses that spoke to my heart.


Why do you contend with Him? For He does not give an accounting of any of His words.

Why do we contend with God?  The Lord is sovereign.  He can do what He wishes...He is God.  That sounds pretty frightening but not if we remember that God sent His Son to die for us when we were still His enemy. He has proven His great love for us.  Rest in His love...allow Him to complete the good work He began in you. 

33:14-18  God does speak to us in various ways to keep us from our own purposes.  This is ALWAYS a blessing.

33:19-22  God also speak to us through trials.  Pain has a purpose.  In these verses Elihu tells Job that his suffering is not punishment but to keep him from going in a direction that is harmful.  

Job 33:23-26  I see Jesus in these verses.  Read them for yourself and see what I mean.  

“If there is a messenger for him,
      A mediator, one among a thousand,
      To show man His uprightness,
 24 Then He is gracious to him, and says,

      ‘ Deliver him from going down to the Pit;
      I have found a ransom’;
 25 His flesh shall be young like a child’s,
      He shall return to the days of his youth.
 26 He shall pray to God, and He will delight in him,
      He shall see His face with joy, 
For He restores to man His righteousness.

Jesus paid the ransom...He can give us new life and render to man His righteousness.  WOW! WOW! WOW!  Jesus is the gracious One.  He is our Deliverer. 

Job 33:27-28  I see Jesus also in these verses...the gospel is evident.  Read them and see once again for yourself.


27 Then he looks at men and says,

      ‘I have sinned, and perverted what was right,
      And it did not profit me.’
 28 He will redeem his[b] soul from going down to the Pit,
      And his[c] life shall see the light.


Man must first admit that he has sinned and God will redeem him and his life shall see the light!  Can I hear another WOW!!

Chapter 34 again shows us Elihu's arrogance.  We also see that he does not speak accurately in regard to what Job has spoken.  In this he bears false witness against Job.  The application for us in this is to listen carefully and speak only truth.

This verse spoke to my heart:


“For has anyone said to God,

      ‘I have borne chastening;
      I will offend no more;
 32 Teach me what I do not see;
      If I have done iniquity, I will do no more’?


Our God is the One who sees.  We see through the mirror darkly.  We do not know anywhere near what God knows about our circumstances.  Neither do we know His purposes.  Ask God to show you those things that are not right in your life...that are not pleasing to Him.  Trust Him and wait on Him in whatever situation you are in...He is the God that performs all things well. 

Should He repay it according to your terms, (vs 33)


Do you really want God to do things the way you want Him to?  God is my Father...I am but a child...not knowing as Solomon said how to go in or go out.


Thus ends 32-37...on to 38-42.  Some of my favorite chapters. 

My Jesus…

My Jesus...

My Jesus gentle, humble, meek and full of compassion…
My Jesus, who condescended to come in to this world as one of His creatures.  
My Jesus who willingly gave His life so that I could live forever in Heaven with Him.  
My Jesus, my strong Deliverer. 
My Jesus, my Rock, my Stay and my Support….
My Jesus, the One whose way is perfect and who makes perfect all that concerns me…
My Jesus, the One who performs all things for me.  

My Jesus is FULL OF COMPASSION…

My Jesus condescends…He bends low…He stoops…He heals the brokenhearted…He makes the crooked places straight and He makes a way in the desert.  

A bruised reed He will not break,
And smoking flax He will not quench;--Isaiah 42:3

He will feed His flock like a shepherd;
He will gather the lambs with His arm,
And carry them in His bosom,
And gently lead those who are with young.--Isaiah 40:11

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”--Matthew 11:28-30

Surely He has borne our griefs
And carried our sorrows;
Yet we esteemed Him stricken,
Smitten by God, and afflicted.--Isaiah 53:4

I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the Lord
And the praises of the Lord,
According to all that the Lord has bestowed on us,
And the great goodness toward the house of Israel,
Which He has bestowed on them according to His mercies,
According to the multitude of His lovingkindnesses.
8 For He said, “Surely they are My people,
Children who will not lie.”
So He became their Savior.
9 In all their affliction He was afflicted,
And the Angel of His Presence saved them;
In His love and in His pity He redeemed them;
And He bore them and carried them
All the days of old.--Isaiah 63:7-9

But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.--Matthew 9:36

And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.--Matthew 14:14

And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her.  When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother.--Luke 7:12-15

When Mary came where Jesus was, she saw Him and fell at His feet, saying to Him, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died." When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and Jews who came with her, also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit, and was troubled, and said, "Where have you laid him?" They said to Him, "Lord, come and see. Jesus wept. ( John 11:32-35)

For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost. “What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray.--Matthew 18:11-13

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!--Matthew 23:37

When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.”--Luke 7:13

Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it,  saying, “If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. --Luke 19:41-42

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.--2 Corinthians 8:9

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.  Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.--Hebrews 4:15-16

For Surely There is a Hereafter…

Do not let your heart envy sinners,

But be zealous for the fear of the LORD all the day;

For surely there is a hereafter,

And your hope will not be cut off.—Prov 23:17-18

If you are anything like me, you might find yourself as you go about your day focusing on and caring about things that have no eternal value.  All the world is truly a stage and very often we can get caught up and entrapped in its trappings. We forget truth and begin to live as the non believers around us...for ourselves and not for God. 

Beloved...don’t envy sinners...sin brings nothing but despair and death.  Instead, be zealous for the Lord all the day long. For surely there is a hereafter and our hope will not be cut off. Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.  Lay aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking. Desire instead, the pure milk of the word and grow in His grace and knowledge as you meditate on those things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, or praiseworthy.  

Oh Father! Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things and revive me in Your good and right way.  Oh, that I would be wise!   May my soul follow hard after You and may Your right hand uphold me.

Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.—Colossians 3:2-4

1 Do not fret because of evildoers,

Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.

2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass,

And wither as the green herb.

3 Trust in the LORD, and do good;

Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.

4 Delight yourself also in the LORD,

And He shall give you the desires of your heart.—Psalm 37:1-4

Blessed is the man who fears the LORD,

Who delights greatly in His commandments.—Psalm 112:1

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.—1 Corinthians 9:24-27

The Lord Gives Light…

10 You who love the LORD, hate evil!

He preserves the souls of His saints;

He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked.

11 Light is sown for the righteous,

And gladness for the upright in heart.

12 Rejoice in the LORD, you righteous,

And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.—Psalm 97:10-12

There is so much in these few short verses!  

The upright in heart love God and obey Him. Their lives are devoted to doing His will and living for His glory.  Loving God means hating evil because our God is holy.  In God we rejoice and to God we give thanks. Our God protects us, preserves us and delivers us out of the hand of the wicked.  

Verse 11 is where my heart focused this morning.  The Lord gives us light for our path and puts gladness in our hearts.  My spirit testifies with the psalmist here. No matter what might be happening in the world or in the microcosm of my life, my heart can still rejoice and give thanks to His holy name.  My Beloved has accepted me. I belong to Him and Him to me.  My true home is in heaven with Him. 

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.—Romans 8:18

As I read verse 11 these three verses came to mind. 

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.—Ephesians 2:10

18 But the path of the just is like the shining sun,

That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.

19 The way of the wicked is like darkness;

They do not know what makes them stumble.—Proverbs 4:18

Your word is a lamp to my feet

And a light to my path.—Psalm 119:105

Warren Wiersbe says that the image in verse 11 is that of the sower. The Lord plants light like seeds so that His people will not always walk in darkness. Moreover, what He plants will eventually bear fruit.   

Beloved, the Light of Life shines on the believer’s path. He goes before us and is with us. His joy is our companion as we obey Him and walk in those works that He prepared beforehand. He will show us the path of life.  In His presence is fullness of joy and at His  right hand are pleasures forevermore. 

7 Where can I go from Your Spirit?

Or where can I flee from Your presence?

8 If I ascend into heaven, You are there;

If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.

9 If I take the wings of the morning,

And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

10 Even there Your hand shall lead me,

And Your right hand shall hold me.

11 If I say, "Surely the darkness shall fall on me,"

Even the night shall be light about me;—Psalm 139:7-11

How to be Wise in What is Good…

For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil.—Romans 16:19

Job says this in Chapter 28:

And to man He said,

'Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom,

And to depart from evil is understanding.'"

Beloved…Wisdom does not exist outside the fear of the Lord. Be so steeped in the truth of God’s word that you are immediately able to recognize evil, false teaching and false doctrine when it comes your way. Do as it says in Romans 12:

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. 

The wisdom from above is peaceable and pure and full of good fruits. Obedience to it  brings unity and peace.  

The fruit of earthly wisdom is self-seeking and envy.  Where these exist confusion and every evil thing are there.  

Be innocent concerning evil!  The Greek word here for innocent is akeraios, which can also mean "unmixed, pure, or simple." Know it when you see it and flee from it.

Therefore…

 

5 Get wisdom! Get understanding!

Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.

6 Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you;

Love her, and she will keep you.

7 Wisdom is the principal thing;

Therefore get wisdom.

And in all your getting, get understanding.

8 Exalt her, and she will promote you;

She will bring you honor, when you embrace her.

9 She will place on your head an ornament of grace;

A crown of glory she will deliver to you."

10 Hear, my son, and receive my sayings,

And the years of your life will be many.

11 I have taught you in the way of wisdom;

I have led you in right paths.

12 When you walk, your steps will not be hindered,

And when you run, you will not stumble.

13 Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go;

Keep her, for she is your life. 

14 Do not enter the path of the wicked,

And do not walk in the way of evil.

15 Avoid it, do not travel on it;

Turn away from it and pass on.

16 For they do not sleep unless they have done evil;

And their sleep is taken away unless they make someone fall.

17 For they eat the bread of wickedness,

And drink the wine of violence.

18 But the path of the just is like the shining sun,

That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.

19 The way of the wicked is like darkness;

They do not know what makes them stumble.

20 My son, give attention to my words;

Incline your ear to my sayings.

21 Do not let them depart from your eyes;

Keep them in the midst of your heart;

22 For they are life to those who find them,

And health to all their flesh.

23 Keep your heart with all diligence,

For out of it spring the issues of life.

24 Put away from you a deceitful mouth,

And put perverse lips far from you.

25 Let your eyes look straight ahead,

And your eyelids look right before you.

26 Ponder the path of your feet,

And let all your ways be established.

27 Do not turn to the right or the left;

Remove your foot from evil.

—Proverbs 4:5-27

15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.—2 Timothy 3:15-17

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.—James 3:13-18 

In my Grief and Heartache…GOD.

 Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness;

He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.—Psalm 112:4

He will not be afraid of evil tidings;

His heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.—Psalm 112:7

There IS much ongoing heartache and sorrow in my life that I am powerless to remedy.  The underlying song and background melody of my heart is joyful gratitude for all my God has done, but often my immediate presenting emotion is grief.

Yesterday was one of those days. My heart was overwhelmed by sorrow and I needed the comfort that only God can give. Psalm 112 brought it. 

4 Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness;

He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.

7 He will not be afraid of evil tidings;

His heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.

The Lord my God will light my lamp; He will enlighten my darkness. He will make even the night light about me. Psalm 112:4 reminded me to think on who my God is…on His character. He is gracious, and full of compassion. He is righteous.  Its words brought to mind this precious truth from Job and its corollary from 1 Peter. 

And the LORD restored Job's losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.

11 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.

The end my God intends for me is good…my Lord is very compassionate and merciful.  Tears came then and life became easier to bear because I knew my God was bearing it with me. I was not alone. God is my strong habitation to which I can continually resort.  He is the same yesterday, today and forever. His love never fails.  His mercy toward me is great, and I am always helped.  I can face my sorrow without fear. It will not overwhelm me.  My heart will safely trust Him. He will see me through.

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;

I have called you by your name;

You are Mine.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.

When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,

Nor shall the flame scorch you.—Isaiah 43:1-2

17 Unless the LORD had been my help,

My soul would soon have settled in silence.

18 If I say, "My foot slips,"

Your mercy, O LORD, will hold me up.

19 In the multitude of my anxieties within me,

Your comforts delight my soul.—Psalm 94:17-19

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll;

Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,

It is well, it is well, with my soul.

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,

The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;

The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,

“Even so,” it is well with my soul.