Month: July 2020

Job 23, Seeking the LORD in times of trouble!

Job 23:8-9, “LOOK, I GO FORWARD, BUT HE IS NOT THERE, AND BACKWARD, BUT I CANNOT PERCEIVE HIM; When He works on the left hand, I cannot behold Him; When He turns to the right hand, I CANNOT SEE HIM.

In times of trouble our faith is always put to the test! We seek HIM, Pray to HIM to change the situation, yet nothing seems to change; “LORD ARE YOU EVEN THERE”?

Psa 66:10, FOR YOU, O GOD, HAVE TESTED US; YOU HAVE REFINED US AS SILVER IS REFINED. 

During these times WE ARE REFINED just as gold or silver is! The fire causes the impurities to float to the surface and then it’s removed! ONE CAN EASILY SAY I HAVE FAITH IN GOD! BUT, WHEN TESTED, TRUE BELIEVERS WILL SEEK HIS MAKER EVEN MORE AND THE FALSE BELIEVER WILL BE DRAWN AWAY TO WHATEVER THEY TRUST IN MOST!

Job 23:10-11, BUT HE KNOWS THE WAY THAT I TAKE; WHEN HE HAS TESTED ME, I SHALL COME FORTH AS GOLD. MY FOOT HAS HELD FAST TO HIS STEPS; I HAVE KEPT HIS WAY AND NOT TURNED ASIDE.

Job knew that his GOD was still there even though he didn’t know why this is happening to him! JOB, KNEW HIS GOD, KNEW HIS WAYS, KNEW HIS WORD. HAPPEN WHAT MAY, I WILL TRUST IN HIM!

Job 13:15, THOUGH HE SLAY ME, YET WILL I TRUST HIM

WE AS CHRISTIANS NEED TO HOLD FAST TO HIS STEPS, THE WAY SHOWN TO US THROUGH HIS WORD, AND THROUGH HIS EXAMPLE! JESUS IS THE WAY TO THE FATHER!

Joh 14:6, JESUS said to him, “I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE. NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH ME. 

TRIALS WILL COME, BUT TRUE BELIEVERS WILL ALWAYS BECOME STRONGER IN THEIR FAITH!

2Co 5:7, FOR WE WALK BY FAITH, NOT BY SIGHT.

Job 22, Acquaint your with GOD!

Job 22:1-3, Then Eliphaz…answered and said: “CAN A MAN BE PROFITABLE TO GOD, … IS IT ANY PLEASURE TO THE ALMIGHTY THAT YOU ARE RIGHTEOUS? OR IS IT GAIN TO HIM THAT YOU MAKE YOUR WAYS BLAMELESS?

Eliphaz heard Job, but he heard arrogance! Job thought too highly of himself! BUT TO ANSWER ELIPHAZ, YES JOB’S RIGHTEOUSNESS PLEASED THE FATHER AS WE ARE PLEASED WHEN OUR CHILDREN WALK IN THE WAYS OF THE LORD! IT CAN ONLY BRING JOY!

Job 1:8, Then the LORD said… THAT THERE IS NONE LIKE HIM ON THE EARTH, A BLAMELESS AND UPRIGHT MAN, ONE WHO FEARS GOD AND SHUNS EVIL?” 

Pro 29:3, WHOEVER LOVES WISDOM MAKES HIS FATHER REJOICE… 

3Jn 1:4, I HAVE NO GREATER JOY THAN TO HEAR THAT MY CHILDREN WALK IN TRUTH. 

Job 22:5-7, IS NOT YOUR WICKEDNESS GREAT, AND YOUR INIQUITY WITHOUT END? For you have taken pledges from your brother for no reason, And STRIPPED THE NAKED OF THEIR CLOTHING. YOU HAVE NOT GIVEN THE WEARY WATER TO DRINK, AND YOU HAVE WITHHELD BREAD FROM THE HUNGRY.

Eliphaz now starts accusing Job of stealing from the poor, not providing for the needy! I’M JUST AMAZED AT JOB’S PATIENCE, BECAUSE IF IT WERE ME, I WOULD HAVE PUT ON GLOVES REVEALING MY TRUE SELF!

Pro 14:29, HE WHO IS SLOW TO WRATH HAS GREAT UNDERSTANDING, BUT HE WHO IS IMPULSIVE EXALTS FOLLY. 

Job 22:21-22, “NOW ACQUAINT YOURSELF WITH HIM, AND BE AT PEACE; THEREBY GOOD WILL COME TO YOU. RECEIVE, PLEASE, INSTRUCTION FROM HIS MOUTH, AND LAY UP HIS WORDS IN YOUR HEART.

Great advice from Eliphaz, just given to the wrong person! It just doesn’t apply to Job!

WE NEED TO BE ACQUAINTED WITH THE ONLY TRUE AND LIVING GOD WHO HEARS AND KNOWS ALL! HE HASN’T LEFT JOB EVEN THOUGH HE APPEARS DISTANT!

Joh 17:3, AND THIS IS ETERNAL LIFE, THAT THEY MAY KNOW YOU, THE ONLY TRUE GOD, AND JESUS CHRIST WHOM YOU HAVE SENT. 

Job 21, His ways!

Job 21:1-3, Then Job answered and said: “LISTEN CAREFULLY TO MY SPEECH, AND LET THIS BE YOUR CONSOLATION. Bear with me that I may speak, AND AFTER I HAVE SPOKEN, KEEP MOCKING.

Job’s friends weren’t listening, but he was! Job said, “COMFORT ME BY LISTENING TO ME”!

Job 21:4-5, “As for me, IS MY COMPLAINT AGAINST MAN? … Look at me and be astonished; Put your hand over your mouth.

Job complaint is not against man, BUT AGAINST GOD FOR HE DIDN’T KNOW WHAT GOD WAS DOING! WHY LORD! WHY!

Psa 77:7-8, NLT, HAS THE LORD REJECTED ME FOREVER? WILL HE NEVER AGAIN BE KIND TO ME? IS HIS UNFAILING LOVE GONE FOREVER? HAVE HIS PROMISES PERMANENTLY FAILED?

Job 21:22-23, 25-26, “CAN ANYONE TEACH GOD KNOWLEDGE, Since He judges those on high? ONE DIES IN HIS FULL STRENGTH, Being wholly at ease and secure; … ANOTHER MAN DIES IN THE BITTERNESS OF HIS SOUL, Never having eaten with pleasure. THEY LIE DOWN ALIKE IN THE DUST, AND WORMS COVER THEM.

Job, doesn’t understand GOD’s way! ONE MAN LIVES IN PROSPERIRTY AND IN GOOD HEALTH, YET ANOTHER LIVES IN BITTER POVERTY! WHY?

Isa 55:8-9, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.

THE MIND OF MAN IS LIMITED, BUT THE LORD KNOWS ALL! WHO CAN TEACH GOD KNOWLEDGE, OR WHO CAN GIVE GOD COUNCIL? NO ONE CAN!  

Isa 40:13-14, Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, Or as His counselor has taught Him? With whom did He take counsel, and who instructed Him, And taught Him in the path of justice? Who taught Him knowledge, And showed Him the way of understanding?

WE MAY NOT KNOW THE REASON WHY THINGS HAPPEN TO US, BUT WE CAN KNOW THAT HE IS IN FULL CONTROL! TRUST IN HIM!

Job 20, In HIS eyes!

Job 20:1,4-5, Then Zophar… answered and said: … “DO YOU NOT KNOW THIS OF OLD, SINCE MAN WAS PLACED ON EARTH, THAT THE TRIUMPHING OF THE WICKED IS SHORT, AND THE JOY OF THE HYPOCRITE IS BUT FOR A MOMENT?

Job asked for pity from his friends, yet Zophar increases his attack! NOW HE IS CALLING JOB A HYPOCRITE AND A WICKED MAN, BUT GOD KNOWS WHO JOB IS! THE LORD KNOWS HIS OWN, AND HIS OWN KNOWS HIM!

Job 1:1, There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was JOB; AND THAT MAN WAS BLAMELESS AND UPRIGHT, AND ONE WHO FEARED GOD AND SHUNNED EVIL. 

Joh 10:14, I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD; AND I KNOW MY SHEEP, AND AM KNOWN BY MY OWN.

Job 20:26-29, TOTAL DARKNESS IS RESERVED FOR HIS TREASURES. AN UNFANNED FIRE WILL CONSUME HIM; It shall go ill with him who is left in his tent. THE HEAVENS WILL REVEAL HIS INIQUITY, … The increase of his house will depart, And his goods will flow away in the day of His wrath. THIS IS THE PORTION FROM GOD FOR A WICKED MAN, THE HERITAGE APPOINTED TO HIM BY GOD.”

Zophar is speaking truth, the wicked will inherit darkness and will be consumed with fire, YET I DOES NOT APPLY TO JOB!

Psa 11:5-7, The LORD tests the righteous, BUT THE WICKED AND THE ONE WHO LOVES VIOLENCE HIS SOUL HATES. UPON THE WICKED HE WILL RAIN COALS; FIRE AND BRIMSTONE AND A BURNING WIND SHALL BE THE PORTION OF THEIR CUP. For the LORD is righteous, He loves righteousness; His countenance beholds the upright.

This is the last thing said by Zophar! In his eyes Job is an un-repented wicked hypocrite, YET THE ONLY THING THAT MATTERS IS WHAT THE LORD THINKS OF US!

1Cor 4:3-4, But with me it is a VERY SMALL THING THAT I SHOULD BE JUDGED BY YOU OR BY A HUMAN COURT. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; BUT HE WHO JUDGES ME IS THE LORD.

Job 19, our Redeemer lives!

Job 19:21, “HAVE PITY ON ME, HAVE PITY ON ME, O YOU MY FRIENDS, FOR THE HAND OF GOD HAS STRUCK ME!

Again, Job lost all that he had, his children, his relatives, his close friends and even his servants don’t answer when he calls! V13-19!

Rom 12:15, Rejoice with those who rejoice, and WEEP WITH THOSE WHO WEEP. 

Job 19:23-24, “OH, THAT MY WORDS WERE WRITTEN! OH, THAT THEY WERE INSCRIBED IN A BOOK! THAT THEY WERE ENGRAVED ON A ROCK WITH AN IRON PEN AND LEAD, FOREVER! 

He didn’t know it but the LORD honored his request! His words have been written on THE SOLID ROCK OF SCRIPTURE WITH AN IRON PEN! THE BEST-SELLING BOOK OF ALL TIME!

Job 19:25-27, FOR I KNOW THAT MY REDEEMER LIVES, AND HE SHALL STAND AT LAST ON THE EARTH; AND AFTER MY SKIN IS DESTROYED, THIS I KNOW, THAT IN MY FLESH I SHALL SEE GOD, Whom I shall see for myself, And my eyes shall behold, and not another. HOW MY HEART YEARNS WITHIN ME!

WOW! JOB’S TRUE FAITH AND KNOWLEDGE OF GOD COMES OUT! IN HIS FLESH HE SHALL SEE THE LORD STANDING ON THE EARTH!

1Th 4:16, For the LORD HIMSELF WILL DESCEND FROM HEAVEN WITH A SHOUT, WITH THE VOICE OF AN ARCHANGEL, AND WITH THE TRUMPET OF GOD. AND THE DEAD IN CHRIST WILL RISE FIRST. 

Isa 54:5-8, FOR YOUR MAKER IS YOUR HUSBAND, THE LORD OF HOSTS IS HIS NAME; AND YOUR REDEEMER IS THE HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL; He is called the God of the whole earth. FOR THE LORD HAS CALLED YOU LIKE A WOMAN FORSAKEN AND GRIEVED IN SPIRIT, Like a youthful wife when you were refused,” Says your God. “FOR A MERE MOMENT I HAVE FORSAKEN YOU, BUT WITH GREAT MERCIES I WILL GATHER YOU. WITH A LITTLE WRATH I HID MY FACE FROM YOU FOR A MOMENT; But with EVERLASTING Kindness I will have mercy on you,” SAYS THE LORD, YOUR REDEEMER.

WE MAY GRIEVE FOR A SHORT WHILE, BUT KNOW THAT OUR REDEEMER IS COMING FOR HIS BRIDE, THE CHURCH! NOT THAT WE DESERVE IT, BUT BECAUSE HE IS FAITHFUL!

Job 18, the end of the wicked!

Job 18:1-3, Then Bildad the Shuhite answered and said: “How long till you put an end to words? Gain understanding, and afterward we will speak. Why are we counted as beasts, And regarded as stupid in your sight?

Job and his, so called, friends are getting tired of the arguments! Job stands firm on his innocents while the other 3 condemn him of sin! BEAST ARE IGNORANT AND FOOLISH TO THE WAYS OF GOD!

Psa 73:22, I was so foolish and ignorant; I was like a beast before You. 

Job 18:5-7, “The light of the wicked indeed goes out, And the flame of his fire does not shine. The light is dark in his tent, And his lamp beside him is put out. THE STEPS OF HIS STRENGTH ARE SHORTENED, AND HIS OWN COUNSEL CASTS HIM DOWN.

Bildad is saying, “THE WICKED ARE CUT OFF QUICKLY ON THE EARTH. LOOK AT YOURSELF; CAN’T YOU SEE YOU ARE BEING CUT OFF”?

Pro 13:9, The light of the righteous rejoices, But the lamp of the wicked will be put out. 

But, this is not always true, sometimes the wicked live longer and better than those who live righteously!

Psa 73:2-5, But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; My steps had nearly slipped. FOR I WAS ENVIOUS OF THE BOASTFUL, WHEN I SAW THE PROSPERITY OF THE WICKED. FOR THERE ARE NO PANGS IN THEIR DEATH, BUT THEIR STRENGTH IS FIRM. THEY ARE NOT IN TROUBLE AS OTHER MEN, NOR ARE THEY PLAGUED LIKE OTHER MEN.

Most people live their lives only looking at the here and now! These people don’t realize that they will live forever! EITHER WITH HIM OR WITHOUT HIM!

Asaph finally understood the end of the wicked when he entered the house of the LORD!

Psa 73:17, Until I went into the sanctuary of God; THEN I UNDERSTOOD THEIR END. 

Psa 37:10-11, FOR YET A LITTLE WHILE AND THE WICKED SHALL BE NO MORE; INDEED, YOU WILL LOOK CAREFULLY FOR HIS PLACE, BUT IT SHALL BE NO MORE. But the meek shall inherit the earth, And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

Job 17, Seeing Jesus in Job’s life!

Job 17:1-2, NLT, “My spirit is crushed, and my life is nearly snuffed out. The grave is ready to receive me. I AM SURROUNDED BY MOCKERS. I watch how bitterly they taunt me.

Job 17:4, FOR YOU HAVE HIDDEN THEIR HEART FROM UNDERSTANDING…

Job 17:6, “BUT HE HAS MADE ME A BYWORD OF THE PEOPLE, AND I HAVE BECOME ONE IN WHOSE FACE MEN SPIT. 

Job, is in agony, humiliated before everyone! People pass him by shaking their heads! Is this job! Wow what happened! BUT I SEE JESUS IN JOB’S LIFE! ON THE CROSS JESUS WAS SURROUNDED BY HIS MOCKERS!

Psa 22:6-7, But I am a worm, and no man; A REPROACH OF MEN, AND DESPISED BY THE PEOPLE. ALL THOSE WHO SEE ME RIDICULE ME…

Mat 27:30-31, THEN THEY SPAT ON HIM, and took the reed and struck Him on the head. AND WHEN THEY HAD MOCKED HIM, they took the robe off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to be crucified.

Just like Job’s friends lacked understanding, those who crucified JESUS lacked the same!

Luk 23:34, Then Jesus said, “FATHER, FORGIVE THEM, FOR THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT THEY DO.” …. 

JESUS KNOWS WHAT WERE GOING THROUGH IN LIFE, BECAUSE HE LIVED IT! HE WAS TESTED, HUMILIATED, MOCKED, SPAT ON AND CRUCIFIED FOR US!

Psa 139,2-4, You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O LORD, You know it altogether.

WHATEVER IS YOUR SITUATION, SEEK THE LORD FOR HE KNOWS EXACTLY WHAT WERE GOING THROUGH!

Psa 9:10, AND THOSE WHO KNOW YOUR NAME WILL PUT THEIR TRUST IN YOU; FOR YOU, LORD, HAVE NOT FORSAKEN THOSE WHO SEEK YOU.

Job 16, a MAN with GOD! Jesus!

Job 16:1-3, Then Job answered and said: “I have heard many such things; MISERABLE COMFORTERS ARE YOU ALL! SHALL WORDS OF WIND HAVE AN END? Or what provokes you that you answer?

Job just wanted them to stop, they were trying to teach Job common wisdom as if didn’t know this! Rather than bringing comfort they brought him more pain!

Job 16:4-5, I also could speak as you do, IF YOUR SOUL WERE IN MY SOUL’S PLACE. I could heap up words against you, And shake my head at you; BUT I WOULD STRENGTHEN YOU WITH MY MOUTH, AND THE COMFORT OF MY LIPS WOULD RELIEVE YOUR GRIEF.

TRIALS TEACH US HOW TO COMFORT OTHERS WHO ARE GOING THROUGH THE SAME SITUATION! GOD COMFORTS US THAT WE MAY COMFORT OTHERS!

2Cor 1:3-4, BLESSED BE THE GOD AND FATHER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, THE FATHER OF MERCIES and GOD OF ALL COMFORT, 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.

Job 16:20-21, My friends scorn me; MY EYES POUR OUT TEARS TO GOD. OH, THAT ONE MIGHT PLEAD FOR A MAN WITH GOD, As a man pleads for his neighbor!

This is the second time that he desires a mediator between GOD and man, Job 9:33!

BUT THERE IS ONE LIKE THE SON OF MAN, ONE WHO FELT OUR PAIN, ONE WHO CAN SYMPATHIZE WITH OUR WEAKNESSES! THAT IS THE GOD/MAN JESUS!

Heb 4:15, For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, YET WITHOUT SIN. 

Dan 7:13-14, “I was watching in the night visions, And behold, ONE LIKE THE SON OF MAN, COMING WITH THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN! He came to the Ancient of Days, And they brought Him near before Him. THEN TO HIM WAS GIVEN DOMINION AND GLORY AND A KINGDOM, THAT ALL PEOPLES, NATIONS, AND LANGUAGES SHOULD SERVE HIM. HIS DOMINION IS AN EVERLASTING DOMINION, WHICH SHALL NOT PASS AWAY, AND HIS KINGDOM THE ONE WHICH SHALL NOT BE DESTROYED.

Job 15, Drinking iniquity like water!

Job 15:1-3, 5, Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said: “Should a wise man answer with EMPTY KNOWLEDGE… Should he reason with UNPROFITABLE TALK, Or by SPEECHES WITH WHICH HE CAN DO NO GOOD?… YOUR OWN MOUTH CONDEMNS YOU, AND NOT I; YES, YOUR OWN LIPS TESTIFY AGAINST YOU. 

JOB, YOUR NOT CONVINCING ANYONE; STOP WITH THIS USELESS TALK! ADMIT YOUR SIN!

Job 15:11, ARE THE CONSOLATIONS OF GOD TOO SMALL FOR YOU, AND THE WORD SPOKEN GENTLY WITH YOU? 

Job consider, the LORD has taken everything from you, AND HE HAS SENT US TO YOU, THAT WE MAY COUNCIL YOU WITH GENTLE WORDS? Eliphaz believe that they, his friends, were the consolation of GOD! Wow!

Isa 5:21, WOE TO THOSE WHO ARE WISE IN THEIR OWN EYES, AND PRUDENT IN THEIR OWN SIGHT! 

Job 15:14-16, “WHAT IS MAN, THAT HE COULD BE PURE? … If God puts no trust in His saints, And the heavens are not pure in His sight, HOW MUCH LESS MAN, WHO IS ABOMINABLE AND FILTHY, WHO DRINKS INIQUITY LIKE WATER!

Job never said that he was perfect, he admitted to his iniquities as a young man

Job 13:26, For You write bitter things against me, AND MAKE ME INHERIT THE INIQUITIES OF MY YOUTH.

Eliphaz was speaking truth, it just didn’t apply to Job! LIKE A THIRSTY MAN DRINKING WATER, WE DRINK INIQUITY, SIN, AS IF WE WERE DEPENDANT ON IT TO SURVIVE! WOW!

Rom 3:23, FOR ALL HAVE SINNED AND FALL SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD, 

Psa 130:3-4, IF YOU, LORD, SHOULD MARK INIQUITIES, O LORD, WHO COULD STAND? BUT THERE IS FORGIVENESS WITH YOU, THAT YOU MAY BE FEARED.

WE ALL DO FOOLISH THINGS, AND NO ONE IS RIGHTEOUS BEFORE GOD! BUT IN HIM WE FIND FORGIVENESS!

Psa 25:11, For Your name’s sake, O LORD, PARDON MY INIQUITY, FOR IT IS GREAT. 

Job 14, a tree has more hope than man?

Job 14:1-3, “MAN WHO IS BORN OF WOMAN IS OF FEW DAYS AND FULL OF TROUBLE. He comes forth like a flower and fades away; He flees like a shadow and does not continue. AND DO YOU OPEN YOUR EYES ON SUCH A ONE , AND BRING ME TO JUDGMENT WITH YOURSELF?

Job is saying, man is sinful from his youth; not one can be found that is perfect! Will YOU judge me according to my imperfection?  

Psa 51:5, Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me. 

Job 14:4, WHO CAN BRING A CLEAN THING OUT OF AN UNCLEAN? NO ONE!

Rom 5:17, FOR IF BY THE ONE MAN’S OFFENSE (Adam) death reigned through the one, much more THOSE WHO RECEIVE ABUNDANCE OF GRACE AND OF THE GIFT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS WILL REIGN IN LIFE THROUGH THE ONE, JESUS CHRIST.

WHO CAN MAKE MAN CLEAN? ONLY THROUGH JESUS CHRIST ARE WE MADE CLEAN; IT’S A GIFT FROM GOD FOR HE SHED HIS OWN BLOOD TO COVER OUR SINS!

Eph 1:7-8, IN HIM WE HAVE REDEMPTION THROUGH HIS BLOOD, THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS, ACCORDING TO THE RICHES OF HIS GRACE WHICH HE MADE TO ABOUND TOWARD US IN ALL WISDOM AND PRUDENCE,

Job 14:7, 10, “FOR THERE IS HOPE FOR A TREE, If it is cut down, that it will sprout again, And that its tender shoots will not cease…. BUT MAN DIES AND IS LAID AWAY; INDEED HE BREATHES HIS LAST AND WHERE IS HE?

Remember, Job is speaking in complete agony, not just physical but also in his heart and mind! He appears to say, “A TREE HAS MORE HOPE OF COMING BACK TO LIFE THAN MAN?”  YET, job says this!

Job 19:25-27, For I know that MY REDEEMER LIVES, And He shall stand at last on the earth; AND AFTER MY SKIN IS DESTROYED, THIS I KNOW, THAT IN MY FLESH I SHALL SEE GOD, WHOM I SHALL SEE FOR MYSELF, AND MY EYES SHALL BEHOLD, AND NOT ANOTHER. HOW MY HEART YEARNS WITHIN ME!

In desperation a man or woman may contradict themselves, because they are grieving much more than they are thinking! JOB KNOWS THAT HIS REDEEMER LIVES AND WITH HIS EYES HE SHALL SEE JESUS STANDING ON THE EARTH! DO YOU KNOW THIS?