JOB’S EXPERIENCE

Reading: Job 42

 

Job faced tremendous trials – far greater than any we probably will encounter in our lifetime. Yet there is strong evidence that he remained true to the Lord:

·         “Then he fell to the ground in worship, saying, ‘May the name of the Lord be praised (Job 1:20-21).’”

·         “In all this, Job did not sin in what he said (Job 2:10).”

·         “Though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him (Job 13:15).”

 

And the result of Job’s great faith? “God blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the first (Job 42:12).” That is, he experienced more of God – His presence, His blessing, His provision, His restoration – as Job came through suffering to the other side.

 

How did Job come to experience more of God and His blessings?

 

·         He recognized God’s ability to do anything (vs 2)

·         He confessed his inability to understand God and His ways (vs 3)

·         He confessed speaking of things about which he had no knowledge (vs 3)

·         He saw God, not just heard about Him from someone else (vs 5)

·         He interceded for others, and saw God answer (vs 10)

 

Let us take note and do the same, that we also may experience God more deeply.

 

Thank you, Father, for recording this part of Job’s life for us to see and be reminded that Your ways are beyond our comprehension, but, by faith, we can see You and trust that Your ways are good. Amen.

Don't Worry About It

Today’s passage comes at the perfect time.  Since yesterday’s election, the internet has been bombarded with differing opinions.  One side of the aisle claims that everything will now be fixed while the other says we are all doomed.   We are such a polarized nation, but both parties had one thing in common on Tuesday.  Before the results were reported both sides were consumed with worry.  

Both parties were worried that if the “wrong” candidate won, we were fated for disaster.  Matthew 6:25-34 has something to say about that. I’m sure you have been told, “No matter who wins, remember God is still on the thrown and Jesus is still King.”  Yes, that is true.  Very true.  Matthew’s message is even more personal than that. 

Verse 25 says, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear…”  Verse 26 reads, “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not much more valuable than they?”

Don’t miss that, “ARE YOU NOT MUCH MORE VALUABLE THAN THEY?”  God loves you.  He has a plan for you.  He has numbered the hairs on your head.   So, what do we do when we are consumed with worry?  Verse 33 answers that question, “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”  To seek his kingdom, we must take our attention away from what is causing us to worry.

Maybe you’re not concerned with politics but your family is going through a tragedy.  Perhaps your job is consuming your thoughts day and night.  So many things take us down a path of worry.  Take some time and seek God’s kingdom.  Write down a memory verse and focus on that when the worry creeps in.  Pray that God will show you how to focus on his will for you and not your worry. 

Heavenly Father,

Please help me in my time of worry.  I can’t control everything that is going on around me and so I give it to you.  I know you love me and you have a plan for me.  Show me how to seek your kingdom and not my worry.

In Jesus Name, Amen.

Read today's passage here Matthew 6: 25-34

God Works in the Desert - Psalm 107:33-43

Have you considered what God has done for you?

"Let the one who is wise heed…and ponder the loving deeds of the Lord." (v 43) No matter what I am facing in my life, I would be wise to pay attention to and think about what God has shown me. That is: He is over all. In His loving kindness and His power He always knows what's best for me.

God is generous with His love. His love shows how important we are to Him. He wants to bless us and take care of us. He wants to carry us through difficult times to experience His peace. He wants to provide our every need. This doesn't mean we will get everything we want. It means He will provide every real need.

God is faithful. In return, He expects us to be faithful, obedient, and committed to Him. He wants to be important in our lives. He wants us to have a relationship with Him through worship, prayer and reading and studying His Word. He will increase our faith, opening our hearts to His will and His love.

God has us in His hands. He has His eyes on us. He loves us beyond our understanding. God offers us His forgiveness and grace when we make mistakes. He is in us and with us whether we are experiencing mountaintop joys or desert thirst.

Take time today to say, "Thank you God, for Your faithfulness, Your loving kindness, Your grace and Your abundant blessings!"

Have a blessed Thanksgiving Day!

Read today's text on Biblegateway.

You Can't Out-give God 1 Chronicles 29:10-18

The other day we received our first sign that Christmas is approaching by way of a Christmas toy catalogue. Grabbing the colorful mailer, my four year old sat on the couch picking out all the toys he wanted.

This will be the first Christmas Evan can make a toy list. Sitting down with him I explained our new tradition. For every toy he wants we are going to go through his toy bin and chose something to give away. I was shocked when Evan turned to me and said, “Okay Mama.”

Evan isn’t worried about not having toys; he knows his father and I will provide more than he needs. Our faith in God should be similar. Today’s scripture says, “Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.” We are blessed with abundance. Everything we have comes from God and he doesn’t want us to worry about our possessions but rather give them back to him generously.

Read today's passage on Biblegateway 1 Chronicles 29:10-18