Job 21 May 29, 2008

Verse 22: Can anyone teach knowledge to God, since he judges even the highest?

Reflection: Immediately when I read this verse I thought of how people bargain with God, saying things like: “If God gives me this, then I will believe in him”.  I am very guilty of doing this to some extent and I’m glad that God has shown me my fault.  I think that Job is telling his “friends” that we are not any kind of person to be questioning God’s power.  Lately I have been really wondering if God has a plan and a purpose for me.  It has really brought me down and I have drifted away from him.  I have learned from reading this verse that I need to trust God and not question his authority and power.  I am so small and he is soooooooooo big, it is all just very hard for me to keep an optimistic attitude about, but I will continue to trust him

Prayer: Lord give me strength to trust in you, even when I am feeling like I don’t have a purpose.  Help me to trust that you have a plan for me and it is greater then anything  can ever imagine.  

 

 

Job 20 May 26, 2008

Verse 1-3: Then Zophar the Naamathite replied: “My troubled thoughts prompt me to answer because I am greatly disturbed.  I hear a rebuke that dishonors me, and my understanding inspires me to reply.

Reflection: I am really getting fed up with Job’s “friends”.  I’m so grateful to have friends and family that don’t criticize me and put me down when I am already feeling horribly.  This verse has shown me the importance of good relationships.  If Job had friends who were maybe even the least bit helpful, perhaps he wouldn’t be so miserable.  I feel so sorry for Job.

Prayer: Help me to be kind and understanding to my friends.

Job 19 May 22, 2008

Verses 21-22: Have mercy on me, my friends, have mercy, for the hand of God has struck me.  Must you also persecute me, like God does?  Haven’t you chewed me up enough?

Reflection: For the longest time I have been trying to bring one of my closets friends to Christ.  I have known her for quite some time and it brings me a  lot of pain to think that she is not saved.  This verse has shown me that maybe I am oing about preaching the Gospel in a pushy and accusing way.  Job’s friends are lecturing him and explaining to him that because he disobeyed God, God is punishing him. I have realized that instead of forcing the Gospel down my friends throat I should set an example by simply loving her.  Job does not need to hear all these words of condemantion, all he needs is a shoulder to cry on and someone to tell him that they are there and that they care.  This has shown me what I must do for my friend.

Prayer: Lord I just ask you to give me strength for the following days.  It is hard for me to understand how any person could not love you and want to have a relationship with you.  Help me to be tasteful in my evangelizing and help me to just set an example for other people. Even when it is difficult, please give me strength to love every person that I know.

Job 18 May 21, 2008

Verse 4: You who tear yourself to pieces in your anger, is the earth to be abandoned for your sake? Or must the rocks be moved from their place?

Reflection: I think to some point, every person has trouble realizing that the world doesn’t revolve around them.  I know that I struggle with it a lot.  I know that the world doesn’t revolve around me, but at times when I want something really badly, I get this sense of entitlement.  I think Job, unfortunately is beginning to think that he was entitled to all of his blessings.  Recently I watched a NOOMA video about American people and how blessed we are.  Our population just doesn’t realize how blessed we are.  Every thing we have and are able to do is a gift from God, and I think that this verse illustrates that perfectly.  One of Job’s friends is asking him if he thinks the world revolves around him or if he thinks everyone and everything should move to accommodate him.  This shows me that God wants us to realize that our worlds should revolve not around ourselves, but rather, around him.  Every day we should start with a prayer of gratefulness, just for the breath that we are breathing.   Americans need to understand that the world doesn’t revolve around them, and that everything we have and do is a blessing.

Prayer: Lord, I just ask you to help me to understand that I am not the center of the world.  You are.  Help me be grateful, even when it feels like I have nothing to be thankful for.  Just help me to understand that my very breath is a gift and I am so blessed just to even believe in your name.

Job 17 May 19, 2008

Verse 3: Give me, O God, the pledge you demand.  Who else will put up security for me?

Reflection: I had trouble understanding this chapter in the book, actually, so I read it in “The Message” version of the Bible.  It is very interesting, because this verse is translated into saying that Job wants God to pledge his support to him and put it in writing.  I immediately thought of the Bible when I read this.  The Bible is God’s pledge to us that he will come again, but in the meantime, love and support us.  Job also says that he wants God’s promise or signature.  Again, this tells me that Job asked for basically…the Bible.  I love how God has promised us a kingdom in heaven, but I think Job is losing faith in God’s promise.

Prayer: Lord, help me to never lose faith in your word and promise.  I thank you for your support and love and I just ask that you continue to help me keep faith in you.