“Hope”


BIBLE READING: Job 11-13

Ch. 11: Zophar speaks to Job; “you deserve worse,” BUT “devote your heart to him…put away the sin that is in your hand.”
Chapter 12: In the next several chapters, Job and his friends continue to discuss Job’s troubles and God as they know Him. If God punishes sinners, the friends conclude then there must be some secret sin that God knows, but they do not. In chapters 12 through 14, Job becomes more convinced that something is not adding up. Job knows God’s attributes, but he feels in his heart that he, himself, is right and his friends are being unfair. He is brought to tears over his loss of hope. Job calls his friends “worthless physicians” and wishes them to be silent.
In our life, we too have experienced the feelings of “what have I done to deserve this?” We see Job’s knowledge of who God is and get a glimpse of his regard for God’s wisdom and power. He says in Chapter 13:15 “Though he slay me, yet will I have hope in him.” Our attitude of love, trust, and humility toward God must not be shaken by our own sufferings. Job’s life and words will help us. But even Job’s words show things we know about God through His word; Job does not.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Colors of Christmas: Green

  Discussion:                                    Evergreen plants, like holly and mistletoe have been used for thousands of years to decorate and brighten up buildings during the long dark winter. They also reminded people that spring would come and winter wouldn't last forever! The Romans would exchange evergreen branches during January as a sign of good luck. The ancient Egyptians used to bring palm branches into their houses during the mid-winter festivals. In many parts of Europe during the Middle Ages, “paradise plays” were performed, often on Christmas Eve. They told Bible stories to people who couldn't read. “The Paradise Tree” in the Garden of Eden in the play was normally a pine tree with red apples tied to it. Today, think about the newness of life we have because we are in Christ. The old man could represent the dark winter and the barren trees. Then think of the bright Christmas trees that are so easily seen! … Help brighten someone’s life this week! Inform
Read more

“Blow-out in Boston”

BIBLE READING: Luke 14 DISCUSSION                                                                                       Boston Globe's account in June 1990 of a most unusual wedding banquet… Accompanied by her fiancé, a woman went to the Hyatt Hotel in downtown Boston and ordered the meal. The two of them poured over the menu, made selections of china and silver, and pointed to pictures of the flower arrangements they liked. They both had expensive taste, and the bill came to $13,000. After leaving a check for half that amount as down payment, the couple went home to flip through books of wedding announcements. The day the announcements were supposed to hit the mailbox, the groom got cold feet. "I'm just not sure," he said. "It's a big commitment. Let's think about this a little longer." When his angry fiancé returned to the Hyatt to cancel the banquet, the manager could not have been more understanding. However, concerning the refund, she h
Read more

“Is there Joy in your Heart?”

  DISCUSSION:                              There are so many things going on in this world today that it is easy to let worry have more room in our heart than happiness. In the medical world, we are constantly being reminded of the preventive medicine we need. Unlike 60 years ago when health only entered our minds when we got sick, today we are told continually of so much that can happen to our health if we don’t have this test run, take this pill, or get this shot to prevent some type of virus infecting us. If you allow it, you can give this too much attention. Of course, it is important to have good health. As we get older it really seems to get a lot more of our attention. Don’t let worry about your health take your eyes off the cross. The words of God given wisdom from Solomon in Proverbs 4, we see that a physically healthy heart is important, but to keep focused on good things to keep our spiritual heart clean and healthy. There is no medical test in place to make sure we are
Read more