I Just Don’t Get It

I don't know about you, but when I've been sick or had a medical problem that lingers on and on and on, well, I sometimes get angry! I've asked God to heal me, even had others pray for my healing. And still, nothing. Sometimes instead of anger, I feel sad. Sad because I KNOW God can heal me and He chooses not to, for whatever reason. There was a time in my life when I thought I was going to die, And I just didn't get it!

Job didn't understand why all of this was happening to him, either. He was convinced God was out to kill him! Job 30:20 says that Job cried out to God, but God didn't hear him, but through all of this, Job still praised God. He respected God. He knew God was all-powerful.

We know the reason that God allowed all of this to happen to Job. We read about it in the beginning of the book of Job. We don’t always know the reason He allows some of us to be sick or to have the dreaded diseases that sometimes take our lives or the lives of those we love. But He knows.

And maybe, just maybe, He'll share His reasons with us when we get to heaven. Or maybe, just maybe, we shouldn't ask. Maybe we should trust that His reasons were His own – and are for the best.

Author: Denise Dulaney

Job - I Remember When

“I long for the years gone by when God took care of me.”

Job 29:2

When the good times turn into the bad times, when the bad times continue on without an end in sight, most people start reminiscing about the time when. . .my health was better; I was young and full of energy; I had hair; God was on my side; I was someone of importance. Thinking of the good times tends to make one feel better, for a while, and transports them back in time to when things were good and God was, too.

This chapter of Job is a totally different “song” than the previous chapters of the moaning, accusations and finger pointing of Job and his three friends. Job paints a picture of his life before all the bad things started happening to him. When reading this chapter, we find a picture of near perfection, according to Job’s rendition, and we can see how he might wonder what happened. We can understand more of why he wishes he hadn’t been born. We can empathize with him and feel how it might seem a bit unfair. . .His life was one of utter complacency and constancy. He had plans to live a long, extended life with his family surrounding him, in his wealth and with his good name intact. Little did he dream of the twist his life would take in the blink of an eye.

Job 29:18-20: “I thought, ‘Surely I will die surrounded by my family after a long, good life. For I am like a tree whose roots reach the water, whose branches are refreshed with the dew. New honors are constantly bestowed on me, and my strength is continually renewed.’”

Isn’t that the way it is, though? Sometimes when things are going well, we see sunshine and rainbows wherever we look. There may be a niggling thought that tries to get through, reminding us that surely, the other shoe will soon fall – but for the most part, unless we’re total pessimists, we love the perks. Like Job, we make our plans based on the present and how well we’re doing at the time, and don’t really consider how drastically our lives could change.

It’s when “the other shoe falls” that brings out our true selves. We find out what we’re really made of, and we find out who we turn to, or against, in our trials. Do we only consider God to be good when we have good things happening to us? Do we blame Him for our hardships? Do we even give God a passing thought unless or until the storm hits?

Sometimes, in the midst of the tailspin of our lives, we need to re-focus and remember when God was good – and then remember this, too: God never changes.

Malachi 3:6: “For I am the LORD, I do not change. . .”

Author: Judy Burhans

Wisdom

“When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.”

Genesis 3:6 (NIV)

The Bible tells us in Genesis that wisdom was a desired attribute to have. Satan tempted Eve by telling her the fruit of the tree would give her wisdom. Satan did not have wisdom and did (and does) not understand it. Job tells us in 28:22 that Satan had heard a report of it, so Satan does not have wisdom.

The majority of this chapter speaks of God’s creation, the earth, the sea, the order of things, and how mighty and all-powerful our God is. It is mind-boggling to even attempt to visualize or understand the power of God. God owns wisdom and only He knows where it is. We can only gain wisdom from Him; we cannot look into ourselves and find it. We cannot read the right book or watch the right documentary. If you are one to do this, you are looking not to God, but to the god of this earth who will tell you any lie to keep you from finding the truth.

Some of us remember the movement of looking into ourselves for answers. We were told that whatever was wrong with us was our parents’ fault and if we allow ourselves to be free and look inward, we would find peace. What a bunch of lies!! As written above, Satan will use anything and any lie to keep you from the truth. Many of us fell for this pack of lies, and the further I looked into myself, the more weakness and filthiness I found.

What a sweet relief it was to remember that I belong to the Lord!! The people I was hanging around with were superficial and only interested in me for what I could give them. They did not care about me as a person and certainly did not care if I found peace.

God and only God can give the wisdom we need. As Job 28: 28 (New American Standard) says:  “And to man He said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; And to depart from evil is understanding.’”

Wisdom is loving the Lord and trusting in Him to guide us to wise choices. Separating ourselves from evil is understanding that God is our Source for everything and we need nothing, absolutely nothing, else.

Author: Angie Reeves

Terror Like a  Storm

Many new and refurbished houses sit among a decreasing number of empty gray foundations near the 17^th Street Canal.  Most of the world watched residents of this nice New Orleans neighborhood yell for help from their rooftops or attic windows.  I remember sitting in Huntsville watching their home video as Katrina waters broke the levee and pushed up their stairwells.  We celebrated when people were rescued in boats and helicopters…and cried when over 100 died from this levee breach. 

We kept texting family and friends in three states during the spring 2012 Tornado outbreak.   It seemed days before we heard from some of them.  The Weather Channel kept looping video of the rubbish left behind with hundreds dead and an unknown number of missing.   

Peter and Ellen Reinertsen and I sat in their vehicle while watching the approaching Colorado wildfire.  We were detoured on our trip to the airport.  The air conditioner couldn’t filter the thick acrid smoke.  We saw the lapping flames along the distant horizon.  They dropped me off at the airport and I made my flight as they drove home.  Thankfully, they had no further detours and didn’t have to leave their home.   

The chapter of Job 27 talks about faithfulness to God and his friends as hypocrites.  Job tried to use their own words to tell them God’s power can overwhelm like a catastrophe which cannot be controlled.  Job lost his family, his wealth, his possessions and status, but still held on to his faith in God.  Could we do the same in his circumstances?

“The wicked go to bed rich but wake to find that all their wealth is gone.
Terror overwhelms them like a flood, and they are blown away in the storms of the night.
The east wind carries them away, and they are gone.  It sweeps them away.
It whirls down on them without mercy.  They struggle to flee from its power.
But everyone jeers at them and mocks them.”

New Living Translation, Job 27: 19-23

Author: Sandy McCutcheon

Who Am I?

Bildad’s third attack of Job – Job 25

I can just hear him now, Bildad, yelling at Job, telling him that he isn't worthy to have God intervene in his present circumstances; that none of us are worthy. He says, for that matter, even the moon and the stars aren't worthy of God's attention!

Have you ever been in an argument where the voices keep getting louder and louder? That the person thinks that "he who yells the loudest" will get his point across? I can't help thinking that this might have gone on here.

Back to worthiness, or rather, unworthiness. I've felt very unworthy, before. For example. . .

Who am I to think I can write devotionals that others read, that might possibly have a positive influence on them?

Who am I to try to talk to someone and guide them in the right direction for their lives?

Who am I that my prayers would be answered?

Who am I to think my sins should be forgiven?

Who am I.......?

Ever felt this way?

Take heart ! God made us. He knows we aren't perfect. He knows we've made mistakes in the past and we will again in the future. And yet, He loves us. We are His children.

Job wasn't perfect. None of us are. We all fall short of God's glory, but if we go to Him and confess our sins, confess our mistakes, He is right there to forgive us and wipe our slates clean.

He is Alpha.

He is Omega.

He is our King.

He deserves our respect.

He deserves to be honored.

He is the GREAT I AM!

Author: Denise Dulaney

Completely in the Dark

"I'm completely in the dark;
I can't see my hand in front of my face."

Job 23:17 (The Message)

Several years ago, I wrote a devotion that grew out of a time when I experienced total darkness, deep in the bowels of the earth. My family and I had taken a guided walk far into Cathedral Caverns, and at one point, our guide warned us that he was about to extinguish the lights in the cave so that we could see what complete and utter darkness is like. The following paragraph is a part of what I wrote at that time:

            "The darkness was profound. I could see no person, no thing, not even my own hand when I waved it right in front of my face. I knew that my husband was standing right beside me, and other people were all around us, but only the logical part of my mind believed that, and only the slight sounds of their movements and breathing proved their presence. Without visual points of reference, I felt a little dizzy...unattached...cut adrift. I've never thought of myself as being afraid of the dark, and I wasn't really afraid during those moments in the cave, but I must admit that I was uneasy. It was distinctly uncomfortable, and if our guide had allowed the lights-out time to go on much longer, I might have started to panic. The air felt a little too close; I was feeling very disoriented. Without even thinking about it, I reached out to touch my husband. Immediately, feeling his familiar form, I was comforted, grounded, re-attached--and within moments, the lights came back on."

In today's Bible passage, Job is experiencing a different kind of total darkness. He has lost everything, he knows himself to be blameless, and he can't figure out why God has apparently abandoned him. But in spite of all he is going through, Job still believes that God will vindicate him. He believes that God will come through for him in the end. Job says, in verse 10, "But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold." (NIV)

When you and I experience the dark spots in our lives (and we all certainly do have those times), it's easy to lose our way, to give in to panic or despair. If you are in a dark spot like that today, don't give in to it. Instead, reach out and touch your Father. In His Word you will find strength and comfort and love. Just ask Him to light the way for you.

Author: Kay Bradburn

Where’s the Justice?

“Why do the wicked live on, growing old and increasing in power?”
Job 21:7

A friend of mine and I were sitting on the front porch this afternoon, catching up with one another and sharing stories.  She was telling me that she had recently come back from her friend’s college graduation out of town and was upset because that friend’s boyfriend was an atheist.  She said she felt like scooting over from her seat because he was so casually carrying on that certainly when he got struck with lightning she may get a little singed.  I asked her if she remembered Job.  Unfortunately, horrible people who defy their maker get to live long lives in material wealth while many who follow “The Way” seem to never catch a break. 

Why is that?  Well, we could fill books of devotions up trying to answer that question.  It’s not fair in our human minds.  Job knew it wasn’t fair what was happening to him.  But having never had the benefit of living after Jesus, he still knew what was most important.  It doesn’t matter about other people’s sacrilegious choices, it matters that one stays true to the One True God….no matter what the situation.

Jesus was asked by “an expert in the law” who was trying to trip Him with his question what the greatest commandment in the Law was.  He answered them, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all you mind.” Matthew 22:37a We must know that the world, and material wealth, honor from men, and power and glory are all worthless in Heaven.  That is where our “real” home is.  The unfair things that we see happening all around us on earth are not important when we are looking towards Heaven with the Lord in our minds and souls and hearts.  It’s like the old saying our parents would say, “Don’t worry about what your brother is doing, you worry about you.”  We are to love our neighbor as ourselves, not worry about why they’re doing better than we are, and how unfair that is because we go to church every Sunday and they haven’t graced a church in years. 

That stuff doesn’t matter.  It just can’t.  There will always be atheists that floor you with their statements.  There will be “friends” coming to help in times of trouble causing you more distress than you had to begin with.  The good will die young and the evil will rise to power.  This is earth we’re still on.  You just remember the greatest commandment and the rest will fall into place….if not here….it’s guaranteed to, up there.

Author: Katrina Sheely

With Friends Like This. . .

 “Then Bildad the Shuhite answered: When will you stop these speeches? Be sensible, and then we can talk. You think of us as cattle, as if we are stupid. You tear yourself to pieces in your anger. Should the earth be vacant just for you? Should the rocks move from their places?”

Job 18:1-4

Sounds like Job’s friend is trying to bring him down from some euphoric place. Job is trying to hold on to his faith and look to God for comfort, but this friend tells him to come down from that mountain of his and look at reality. The reality this friend sees is one of evil and that Job must have somehow had a part in it to get to this situation.

These ‘friends’ of Job traveled to comfort him when they heard about his plight.      

Watching plots on TV reminds me of this situation and the reaction of these friends. Something terrible would happen and people would appear feigning concern when all they really wanted were the nitty gritty details of what happened. Then the ‘if’s’ start and blame is laid. Different characters would have different opinions and the whole show is based on everyone else’s opinion on what happened and whose fault it was. This is called drama.

I had a friend who travelled with her job. She did not hear about our son’s death until after the funeral. She came to my back door, acting rushed as though she had just heard and had to get over right away to be with me. When I let her in, she barely got over the threshold when she was uttering, “Oh, I am so sorry! Is it true that he committed suicide?” When I explained that it was not suicide, she immediately lost interest and left me standing at my back door! She never came into the house. She was disappointed that the facts were not as sensational as she had hoped.

I was so terribly disappointed with the friendship I thought we had. I felt that I had been slapped. What kind of comfort would this lady had given me? Like Job’s friends, I imagine she would have placed blame rather than giving me hope in Christ.  Who needs friends like this?

With everything that Job endures, he is further burdened with well-meaning friends. He does not get the comfort and hope we as Christians should be giving each other.  Think about Job’s friends when confronted with a terrible situation and pray the Lord leads you in what to say or do for those who are suffering.

Author: Angie Reeves

The Gossip game

We eagerly formed a circle with our straw-bottomed chairs in the middle of the room.  Mrs. Glenda Pendergraft, our teacher, would announce the game and write a “secret” message on a slip of paper.  She would walk to a child, lean down and quietly read the “secret” words into their ear.  The message would be whispered from child to child with no questions or repeats allowed.  The last child would stand and tell the group what they heard as the last message.  We always burst into laughter when Mrs. Pendergraft read the original “secret” message and allowed each child to tell what they heard…or thought they heard…as it passed from person-to-person. 

In Job, Chapter 17, Job references his so-called friends and mockers that got caught up in untruths (malicious gossip) about his condition and “obvious” sins that became the talk of the town.  Eliphaz’s prior speech to Job (Chapter 16) was supposed to be a friendly encouragement rather than what turned out to be a preachy speech to the crowd.  Job lost all hope and described himself as a man with red, swollen, teary eyes, “skin and bones” body, and a broken spirit with all hope gone.  The end of Job 17:

”My life's about over. All my plans are smashed, all my hopes are snuffed out—My hope that night would turn into day, my hope that dawn was about to break. If all I have to look forward to is a home in the graveyard, if my only hope for comfort is a

well-built coffin, if a family reunion means going six feet under, and the only family that shows up is worms, do you call that hope? 
Who on earth could find any hope in that? 

No. If hope and I are to be buried together,
 I suppose you'll all come to the double funeral.”