Job 21:22 "But who are we to tell God how to run his affairs?" That's it; that's right. He is God! There's truth in what everyone is saying. But if you don't have Love, you're a noisy gong, a clanging cymbal. I keep thinking of Jesus' words to Peter: "Do you love Me? Do you love Me? Do you love Me?" Or do you want me to just let up on you and your suffering? If I have ambition and have little love, what do I have? If I have recognition and have little love, what do I have? If I have my life together and have little love, what do I have? If I have wisdom and have little love, what do I really have? Do I really love God not for what He can do for me but just because He is my Friend?
Eliphaz tells Job that he's a first-class moral failure. What kind of friend is this? He says in Job 22:25 "Give in to God and everything will be just fine." That's not right. Job is wrestling with some deep questions about whether God has been good to Him to allow all He did to happen to Job. Job has 10 grave markers that remind him every day of his loss that God could have prevented.
We can observe the demandingness of Job in his words in Chapter 23. "God has no right to treat me like this—it isn't fair! If I knew where on earth to find him, I'd go straight to him. I'd lay my case before him face-to-face, give him all my arguments firsthand." Is He a Fair God, a Fair Judge, a Fair Friend? As Job wrestles through deep suffering, he asks questions we all ask every day. "Job knew his friends were wrong. He knew his suffering was not punishment for sin that he could end by living better. But he did not realize the opportunity that his suffering presented for him to see Me. Job was terrified that God might be powerful but not good." 66 LL. Do I see my suffering as an opportunty for me to see my God? Isn't that a question we all must wrestle with? Is He good to us when we're passed over, shot down, burdened beyond belief, tempted to fend for ourselves, suffering with no explanation? "I wrote Job to reveal who I AM, not who you imagine Me to be." 66 LL. I wonder what I imagine God is like and doing in my life this day? I wonder if I will see the great I AM at work in my problems today?
for some reason, comments aren't working. . .blogger!
ReplyDeleteOh good grief. Sorry y'all. :-))
ReplyDeleteI'm on the floor laughing over here at Annette's argh! argh! and multiple tries....I mean we're trying to weigh in on very weighty matters of Mystery while my dishwasher is overflowing flooding the floor cause I put dishwashing detergent in it instead of dishwasher detergent---and I even read the label---I read all labels, argh! Last night I tried about an hour just to get to blogger but it kept saying I needed to register with the new blogger and I wanted the old blogger. Whew! Finally got a post up but I was a little dysfunctional doing it! Argh!
ReplyDeletethankful I didn't try to post...laughing with you and understanding all of the frustration and then your mind not working right...love you
ReplyDeleteThis is funny!
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping I don't see 6 posts of mine duplicated on here today. What's up?
Do y'all recall in our readings this year where we've dealt with anyone who wanted to take God to task for the disasters they were dealing with?
I'm glad to read this, to hear the hurt and anger in Job...
It lets me know that I can feel the same human stuff and still be safe with my God. Job said what I've thought and felt so many times. Why do good people suffer and bad people receive blessing after blessing?
Job had a lot to be upset over in his apparently righteous anger towards God. Those 10 graves hurt and don't go away easily. It would be hard enough to deal with one gravestone that had your child's name etched into it. But all 10?
The freedom to speak truthfully and honestly with respect to God is a blessing from this book.
How often do you think God is bragging on us? While satan is begging God for an opportunity to prove our fickle hearts.
May we be LOYAL. God is really working that in my life right now.
Loyal.
So very good to see each one of you back! I love reading through the comments you leave and knowing that we are connected.
Angie, I use to feel funny reading The Message. I was so very use to the King James Version. I still pray without thinking words from my KJV. I've learned that the Message is a version that opens up a visual for me as I read God's Word. He's the Ocean Tamer. Just wait til we get into the Psalms. I love The Message in the Psalms. I still crave the solid Word of KJV. But I really have grown to love the Message, too.
Y'all are just too much today! With Argh, and over-flowing dishwashers, all I have is.....Its Monday ;-)
ReplyDeleteI do hope your days got a little better!
In reading Job 23 today, the commentary to my Bible reminded me of these 3 simple truths:
1) The way we respond to our personal struggles shows our attitudes toward God.
2) The Bible teaches that even if our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts. (1 John 3:20) The Lord's forgiveness and cleansing are sufficient; they overrule our nagging thoughts.
3) The Holy Spirit in us is our proof that we are forgiven in God's eyes even though we may feel guilty.
Have a great week.
Love Ya All!!
-Kim
Annette! Can we just go ahead and plan for a gathering at your ranch?
ReplyDeleteI'm so very happy for that! And thankful that you would offer us that hospitality.
I am still thinking about the Holy Land but I don't know. I'm praying.
But let's do the fellowship in Texas.
Let us know, Annette, when would be a good time for you.
What a treat this will be!
Take your time, too. I know you've got a lot this month.
Yes, we can certainly have a get together at the ranch. The end of July through August 15 is busy and there's a wedding planned on the 18th of September. Otherwise we're wide open. What's everyone's schedules look like?
ReplyDeleteAnd sorry again for all my mishaps above. I think I just revealed my impetuous side. The day got better... :)
Love, A
Nothing like a little comic relief to start my week off. Thank you Annette and Bev!
ReplyDeleteFG