August 26th readings

~ Click on this link for today's readings ~
Job 20:1-22:30 ~ 2 Corinthians 1:1-11
Psalm 40:11-17 ~ Proverbs 22:2-4

Old Testament - Today in Job chapter 21 verses 7 through 13 we read these words of Job - ""The truth is that the wicked live to a good old age. They grow old and wealthy. They live to see their children grow to maturity, and they enjoy their grandchildren. Their homes are safe from every fear, and God does not punish them. Their bulls never fail to breed. Their cows bear calves without miscarriage. Their children skip about like lambs in a flock of sheep. They sing with tambourine and harp. They make merry to the sound of the flute. They spend their days in prosperity; then they go down to the grave in peace."   How do these words of Job speak to you?  Is there truth in these words?   If the wicked go to the grave in peace, what happens to them after the grave?  Honestly, I'm not so sure about the wicked living to a good old age and going to the grave in peace...  I personally would not take this chance.  I think living a wicked life leads to inner conflict and an unhealthy life and potentially an early grave.  I understand why Job said these words in his circumstances (he was experiencing suffering without committing the great sins his friends accused him of), but I personally would not bet on a wicked life delivering a long lifetime of wealth or peace...

New Testament - Today we begin Paul's Second Letter to the church in Corinth!  Corinth was a city known in the 1st century for its wealth and lust.  It was a trade center with thousands of sailors who disembarked there.  Its pagan temples encouraged the practice of sexual immorality along with idol worship.  Thus, this was not an easy place for the early church!  But clearly a place where the church was so needed!  Below is a map of where Corinth is in Greece - it is about 48 miles west of Athens.  And below that is a modern day photo of ancient remains of the pagan temple to Apollo from ancient Corinth:

~ Second Corinthians ~
Author: Paul the apostle
Place: Ephesus
Date: A.D. 57
Content: Paul’s earlier letter to the Corinthians had not settled all of the problems. It had some good effect upon them but much more remained to be done. In particular, Paul had to settle the problem concerning his own authority. Deep suspicions had been aroused concerning him, for what reasons we do not fully understand. But in great anguish Paul writes to reestablish his own apostolic authority. He also attempts to deal with some more practical matters, like supporting the poor believers elsewhere.
Theme: Triumph over adversity is seen throughout this letter. It is a very personal one, written by one who loved his people but had been deeply wronged by them. As Paul catalogs the experiences of his life and the nature of the Christian ministry, it is possible to see the grace of God at work bringing good from evil. Satan is active, seeking to destroy God’s work, but God is greater still, establishing those who trust in him. (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers “The One Year Bible Companion” p. 25) More commentary on Second Corinthians is at this link: http://www.bible.org/page.asp?page_id=1203

Below is "The Apostle Paul", by the artist Rembrandt in the year 1657:

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Second Corinthians chapter 1 titled "Why Bad things happen to God's people" is at this link.

Psalms - Today Psalm 40 verse 16 stood out to me for it's pure joy and praise - "But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, "The LORD is great!""  Does this verse resonate with you today?  Have you searched for God in your life?  Are you filled with joy and gladness because of that search?  Do you love God's salvation?  Do you shout praises to God for all he has done for you?

Maybe if verse 16 does not resonate for you today, hopefully verse 17 can encourage you - "As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord is thinking about me right now. You are my helper and my savior. Do not delay, O my God."  Do you believe that Jesus is thinking about you right now?  Do you believe that Jesus is your helper and your savior?

Proverbs - Proverbs 22 verse 2 is a great reminder that our wealth or status does not affect who we are in God's eyes or in God's very hands - "The rich and the poor have this in common: The LORD made them both."  As we are all created by God, we should not ever consider ourselves better than anyone - nor lesser than anyone - because someone else has a different set of finances than we do.  If you think about it, every single person you meet has a different set of finances than you do.  Some are richer, some are poorer.  And yet we all have this in common - God made us.  How might this affect how you view others in this world?  Do you literally and consciously realize that God made each and every one of us?  Below is Michelangelo's "Creation" from the Sistine Chapel in Rome, circa 1505-1513:

Comments from you - What verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings?  Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

Grace,
Mike

Comments

[Vance Brown]

I found the name of “Job” interesting in Hebrew:

“Iyov (ee-YOHV) n. Job. Book of the Ketuvim [i.e., God's writings] dealing with ultimate mysteries regarding evil and God’s existence. Iyov means ‘persecuted’ or ‘hated.'"

Source – Messianic Jewish website:
http://hebrew4christians.com/Glossary/Hebrew_Glossary_-_I/hebrew_glossary_-_i.html
~~~

This is interesting, especially since Job’s “friends” strongly mocked and accused him.

Job 21 (NKJV):
1
Then Job answered and said:
2
“Listen carefully to my speech, and let this be your consolation.
3
Bear with me that I may speak, and after I have spoken, keep mocking.
~~~

There is no truly satisfactory answer we can give to anyone to explain good and evil.

We must come to the place where we believe there is a God, that He exists, and is ultimately a rewarder of those who seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).

We must come to know that creation is not, and that people do not always act, as God intended— that something went wrong. The “something that went wrong” is sin.

Thus, we can and must come to the place where we see that so called “acts of God” (when nature destroys) and that the acts of people do not reflect the Good, Powerful and Loving character of God.

And we can and must see God—not just in the New Testament—but all through Scripture reaching out to man in Love and Mercy in the midst of questions which perplex us people.
~~~

Job 21 (NKJV)
7
Why do the wicked live and become old, yes, become mighty in power?
8
Their descendants are established with them in their sight, and their offspring before their eyes.
9
Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them.

NOTE:
This question leads me to the very excellent verses in Psalm 37 (NKJV):
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.

Note that these verses simply state the OBJECTIVE fact of reality of God’s view: “For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.”

If you invert the numbers of Psalm 37 to Psalm 73, we find the SUBJECTIVE, human view of the same question:

Psalm 73 (NKJV)
1
Truly God is good to Israel, to such as are pure in heart.
2
But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly slipped.
3
For I was envious of the boastful, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

16
When I thought how to understand this, it was too painful for me—
17
Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I understood their end.
18
Surely You set them in slippery places; You cast them down to destruction.
19
Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors.
20
As a dream when one awakes, so, Lord, when You awake, You shall despise their image.
21
Thus my heart was grieved, and I was vexed in my mind.
22
I was so foolish and ignorant; I was like a beast before You.
23
Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand.
~~~

This is why it is SO NECESSARY AND GOOD to be in regular fellowship with God’s people.

God’s plan is teach us and establish us personally while we are in the community of God with others who know and seek God.

Matthew 18 (NKJV)
20
For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”

2 Timothy 2 (NKJV)
22
Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
~~~

Job 22 (NKJV) – Eliphaz Accuses Job of Wickedness
25
Yes, the Almighty will be your gold [The ancient versions suggest defense] and your precious silver;
26
For then you will have your delight in the Almighty, and lift up your face to God.

NOTE:
It is interesting that the Holy Spirit chose to keep all of the words of Job’s “friends” who constantly accuse and mock Job wrongly.

Even though Eliphaz is accusing Job of wickedness in this chapter, yet these particular words of the Holy Spirit in the Bible really impressed me.

They touched on a deep longing not just to know about God from Scripture and reading, but to spend time with God.

This makes me think of a quote by Andrew Murray. He is often called “The Apostle Of Abiding Love”. Note this brief sketch of the ministry of Andrew Murray according to In Touch Ministries:

“Even at this early stage of ministry, he already showed signs of becoming a noted author. The ‘deeper Christian life’ was a favorite subject for Murray. He told how God was committed to revealing more of Himself to those who would seek Him.”

”As a preacher, he consistently drew large crowds and led many to trust Christ as their Savior.”
(source: http://www.intouch.org/myintouch/mighty/portraits/andrew_murray_213652.html)

I like this quote by Andrew Murray in “With Christ In The School of Prayer”:

“Count it one of the chief blessings of prayer to exercise faith in God, as the Living Mighty God who waits to fulfil in us all the good pleasure of His will, and the work of faith with power."

"See in Him the God of Love, whose delight it is to bless and impart Himself.”

Amen.

2 Corinthians 1 (NKJV)
3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
4
who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
5
For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.

NOTE:
As we really know the true joy in fellowship with the Lord, even our sorrow becomes a means of receiving God’s comfort.

Then, in our lives and words, we can be a living witness to the true and living God, and to the Lord Jesus.

Psalm 40 (NKJV)
16
Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; let such as love Your salvation say continually,
“The LORD be magnified!”
17
But I am poor and needy; yet the LORD thinks upon me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God.

NOTE:
Our words we speak and the thoughts we repeat to ourselves either produce life or death. May we follow the wise advice and will of the Holy Spirit: “let such as love Your salvation say continually, ‘The LORD be magnified!’ ”

This is a spiritual discipline of worship before the Lord.

The next verse is amazing: “But I am poor and needy; yet the LORD thinks upon me.”

May we really come to know this loving God and receive His thoughts about us. Isn’t it amazing that the Lord sets His thoughts upon us?

In the fog and confusion of the questions as we live our lives on this “desert” called earth, may we receive the Living Water of God’s Thoughts and Presence!

Vance

[Ramona]

Job 20:1-22:30

Something else came to me while reading Job this year, Job, though loved and studied for his trials and how he came out, could not stand up to the pressure of the enemies nor his “friends.” Jesus did. Job had wealth on the earth; Jesus’ wealth was in heaven with His Father. Job involuntarily lost his wealth; Jesus gladly gave us His (Heb. 12:2) to become flesh and live amongst us. Job delivered widows, orphans and the oppressed from their poverty and subjugation, which is temporary state; Jesus delivered us from sin and death, which is eternal. Job became accusatory under his temporary loss and pain; Jesus said, “… Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt. (Mark 14:36 KJV)

There are many more opposite comparisons between Job and Jesus; however, my purpose is not to vilify Job or even to point out his faults. Throughout the Old Testament, we find men and woman who acted heroically and operated in faith as stated in the 11th chapter of Hebrews; however, all they could do was provide a temporary deliverance from difficult situations. Jesus is the only one who could and would deliver permanently.

Job is a case study in how to stand. By looking out the rebuke and correction God eventually gives his friends and Job, we have a case study showing how to persevere, but first we must recognize that our enemy is not God but the devil, and more than likely ourselves for blaming the wrong guy for our problems and coming to wrong conclusions.

Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: (Ephesians 6:11-17 KJV)

Grace and peace,
Ramona