Job 42 - Truth About God

24 Jul 07

1 Then Job answered the Lord,
2 “I know that you can do everything
and that your plans are unstoppable.
3 “{You said,} ‘Who is this that belittles my advice
without having any knowledge {about it}?'
Yes, I have stated things I didn't understand,
things too mysterious for me to know.
6 That is why I take back what I said,
and I sit in dust and ashes to show that I am sorry.”
Job 42:1-6 (GW)

7 After the Lord had said those things to Job, the Lord said to Eliphaz from Teman, “I'm very angry with you and your two friends because you didn't speak what is right about me as my servant Job has done.
Job 42:7 (GW)

12 The Lord blessed the latter years of Job's life more than the earlier years.
Job 42:12 (GW)

Reflection of B:

As I read the earlier chapters of Job I wondered what was so special about Job that God blessed him at the end more than what he had before. I guess the secret lies in Job's willingness to confess his ignorance and showed repentance when he realized his mistakes (v3,4). God commented that Job spoke right about Him.

What did Job speak right? Job said God could do anything He wants and no want can stop Him (v1,2) unlike his 3 friends who thought that God is restricted in doing things in a certain way.

What I learned here is that God's ways and thoughts are always higher than ours and more than we could comprehend. Therefore, in all situations we need to trust that He will works all things together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

Dear Lord,
You are so wonderful and marvelous. Your plan is perfect and Your ways are wise. Forgive me for times that I may forget this truth and became as ignorant as Job did. I ask for Your forgiveness and teach me to always remember to trust in You in all situations.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Job 38 - God Spoke

21 Jul 07

1 Then the Lord answered Job out of the storm.

2 “Who is this that belittles my advice
with words that do not show any knowledge {about it}?
3 Brace yourself like a man!
I will ask you, and you will teach me.
Job 38:1-3 (GW)

Reflection of B:

Finally, God decided to speak and showed the ignorance of Job's friends. No one can comprehend the mightiness of God. He showed the foolishness of Job's three friends in trying to think that they know everything about Him.

How will we feel if God chooses to speak to us in an audible voice? We may faint. Who can stand the presence of God? I guess I will tremble before Him in awe.

When God form the earth and heavens, we were not enough made.It will be foolish for us to think ways or thoughts are higher or better than God's. Didn't we always make such a mistake? We tend to look at people, things and situations in our our view and not asking God about His view.

Dear Lord,
How foolish I can be too at times in thinking that my problems are too big for You to solve or my burden too heavy for You to bear. Tonight I want to commit my life, my service in the Church and my work into Your hand. I pray that You will grant me the concentration to do my deal in these areas of my life.
In Your might name I pray. Amen.

Job 36 and37 - God's Ways

20 Jul 07

1 Elihu continued to speak {to Job},
2 “Be patient with me a little longer, and I will show you
that there is more to be said in God's defense.
3 I will get my knowledge from far away
and prove that my Creator is fair.
Job 36:1-3 (GW)

Reflection of B:

Elihu continued to tell Job about God's ways of doing things. They sounded very logical, yet He did not know that there are exceptions to the rules. Aren't we also tend to have such assumption as Elihu? Sometimes, we feel that God's ways of doing things are confined to a certain mould. We need to be more discerning in recognizing God's way's.

Dear Lord,
Thank You again for teaching me to be discerning in perceiving things and people. Let me not put You into a mould. Your ways are always higher than mine. Open my spiritual eyes to see what You want me to do to be in Your will.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.