Job 29:3 "How I miss those golden years when God's friendship graced my home...when the Mighty One was still by my side and my children were all around me. When everything was going my way, and nothing seemed too difficult." Wonder what we would have been saying if we lost our health, our kids, our property, our money?? I think I would be doing some blameshifting. Wonder why Job never incriminated his distant oh-so-pious wife? He never mentions her when he talks about his good life where people hung on to his every word. A life at this juncture where he equates disaster with punishment for wrongdoing. Job 31:32 - Job says he didn't hide his sin the way Adam did. So Job knew of Adam! I think maybe Job doesn't realize the sin he walks in. Look at Job 31:36, 37 - I've signed my name to my defense—let the Almighty One answer! I perceive that to be so arrogant. "I want to see my indictment in writing. Anyone's welcome to read my defense; I'll write it on a poster and carry it around town." Job still doesn't see his arrogant words that he will stand up for his actions and defend himself before God. Where's that humble, contrite, broken heart of Psalm 51? Job holds a demanding heart that things go well, go right. "When suffering brings despair, emptiness, futility, and misery, trust ME. I am removing the scales from your eyes so that you will soon see My Light. The Morning Star is visible when the darkness is deepest." 66 LL. How can we trust you for a little more Light this day? Like Job, there is sin we just don't see and we're hiding like Adam and don't even know it...or maybe we do know. My prayer this day---in the midst of our small troubles compared to Job---would You remove a few more scales from our suffering eyes?
If I'm being totally honest, I am missing the good old days, too. I'm feeling a little arrogant myself. Where is my humble self? Lately I've been focusing on my relationships with others and especially those that have been lost through the years for whatever reason. I know not everyone is going to like us, but I find it most difficult when conflict has gone unresolved and time marches on. I wonder if it really even matters to them? I'm also missing the good old days when my kids were "all around me". Yes, I'm feeling sorry for myself first thing this morning. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat would my husband say? Ouch, I don't even want to go there.
I've been doing a lot of wrestling with God lately. I need a heart transplant and need new eyes to see my sin... and get back to trusting Him... and Believing His promises.
Much love to all of you,
~arrogant angie
The minute I read about Job's pious, oh-so-distant wife, some scales fell off! I didn't identify with her before because I've never told my husband to "curse God and die"...yet, what about my behavior?
ReplyDeleteMy rebellious attitude, actions and arrogant walk is just another way of saying "curse God" without using those words!
This is the third time (and I'm thinking Trinity) I've heard a message on light, trust, how if the god of this world blinds unbelievers he will use the same strategy with believers. I'm listening! And I'm going to Psalm 51!
Angie, you aren't alone in your
wrestling. You alway cause me to search my own heart with your honesty.
Bev, once again I thank you for these messages. There is much more stirring in my heart and I may come back again...just wanted to let you know that God is using you to bring Light into my darkness. Exposing my sin!
FG Forever Grateful
And I hope I didn't sound too 'glib' because I'm really taking this to heart. There is such a difference when I'm remorseful vs. a Godly sorrow of repentance.
ReplyDeleteI hurt a friend last week and the realization of hurting God as well, or even more, was devastating. But that is where He does the deepest work in me.
Engraved on His Hand...my hope today!!
FG
Bev, I used that quote about the morning star with a godly woman who is having to file bankruptcy,due to the economy and really downsize where they live. She is a teacher of a large group of women, so I've prayed also that God will be glorified and honored in her life, as this is public knowledge.Having had the privelege of "watching" you and how you have acted and reacted in your suffering has given me insight on how to pray for this woman. You are being mightily used and you bless my life over and over. Love to you...
ReplyDeleteYour hearts all stir my own. Convicted on the wife railing against God--I always wondered why God didn't take her, too, but she ended up being another thorn in his flesh, so she got to stay. Wow. I'm not very supportive of my husband's needs, but quick to see his sin, and too often tell him. Scales are falling indeed. Now, for that new softer heart...
ReplyDeleteJob's wife has always been a huge question mark for me, too.
ReplyDeleteMaybe I read it in 66 LL or something else I've been reading here lately, but the author said that Job's friends accused Job...blaming him for the evil that had fallen on him because he had to have sin in his life.
And then the author said that Job's wife was the other thing we humans do when faced with suffering...we blame God!
She stated, curse God and die.
And you know what? It was God that gave the all clear to go after Job. Even though He knew this would end good.
And Annette, Job's wife was not taken because she was ONE with Job. Huge picture of the two becoming one in covenant marriage. Satan couldn't touch her.
But he definitely used her.
Do you fight for your husband as one flesh with you? I've been praying that for my husband and I here this week. He and I are separated right now, but God keep showing me that we are one in the covenant of marriage. I tell the enemy he cannot have him, remembering the Siesta Fiesta and not wanting to give one small piece of my inheritance to the enemy.
Bev, sin seems so much more unrecognizable when it is our sin. I've learned through this marriage crisis I'm in to look deeply at my own sin in our life. I've experienced some great sorrow over the way I responded to him.
Fireproof has a really good Bible study that helps couples work through the walls we put up around ourselves. We are so blind to how we hurt each other and blindly look away from our own sin.
Jesus is the only perfect person that walked the face of this earth. Thank each of you for sharing your own guilt over things that hurt others or hurt Jesus. How many of us can stand up when 1 Corinthians 13 is read. It makes me guilty of so many sins.
I just wept through all of your heartfelt comments starting with Ang and all the way down to Deborah. Thank you my friends. I'm in Fort Worth renting out our home. Sandwiched in lots of memories...and Brooke just called...her car broke down in Oklahoma at Falls Creek Baptist Camp where he is working for the summer---I'm on my way in my borrowed car. Brooke's college roommate and bff is getting married here in Dallas on Saturday so we came in for the wedding. Just have to go get bridesmaid Brooke and bring her back.
ReplyDeleteSigned: Bubbles
Brooke is a she....why do I read my comment after I post to see if it came through??
ReplyDeleteAng, I hear you. I'm sitting in midst of a lifetime of memories renting out the home where all my kids grew up. I loved that chapter and I have to let it go but it's hard. And I've lost friends over the years. I'd love to have them back. I'm far worse than anyone thought I was anyway. So, I'll keep praying for my friends. As I walk through this day I'll think of you and pray for you as well. Maybe what I lost I never really had like I thought I did.
ReplyDelete