“The Lord gives…”

Job 1:21 NKJV — And he said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD.”

Job was a righteous man, who had a profound perspective.

Job 2:10 NKJV — But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.

Both these recorded words, as well as his actions, shows the truth he had built his faith upon:

God is Sovereign.

and

He deserves all our worship.

It’s been said, that the character of a person is revealed when they are “squeezed” by life’s circumstances.

Job’s character is clear:

Job 1:8 NKJV — Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?”

God knew his integrity from the beginning and after this extreme trial, He reveals Himself to Job in a way He’d not done before.

Job 42:1-3 NKJV — Then Job answered the LORD and said:“I know that You can do everything, And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You. You asked, ‘Who is this who hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.”

Because Job held fast to his integrity, he came through the trial with a far greater understanding of God Almighty.

Job 42:4-6 NKJV — Listen, please, and let me speak; You said, ‘I will question you, and you shall answer Me.’ “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, But now my eye sees You. Therefore I abhor myself, And repent in dust and ashes.”

He also had a better understanding of himself.

Would Job’s incredible journey be yours or mine if we were put to the test this way?

Would we hold fast to the truths Job did and find a clearer understanding of both God and ourselves?

Or would we fall prey to the sins of Job’s friends?

Determined in their beliefs that God never allows bad things to happen to “good” people, they accused Job of sin over and over, demanding him to confess and repent, without any evidence of wrong doing.

They jumped to a conclusion based upon their faulty understanding of God.

But God used this circumstance to teach both Job and his friends.

Job 42:7-9NKJV — And so it was, after the LORD had spoken these words to Job, that the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “My wrath is aroused against you and your two friends, for you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has. “Now therefore, take for yourselves seven bulls and seven rams, go to My servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and My servant Job shall pray for you. For I will accept him, lest I deal with you according to your folly; because you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has.”So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went and did as the LORD commanded them; for the LORD had accepted Job.

“If God is good, why do bad things happen?”

Humanity has been asking this question for generations.

Sometimes, it is a consequence of sin.

Sometimes, it’s our faulty perspective, assuming something is “bad” when it’s actually a blessing.

Other times, it’s a test or trial, filled with opportunity from the Lord for understanding and growth.

Let us, each one, come before the Lord with humility and seek Him, asking that He reveal our hearts to us and instruct us in truth.

“Do I believe God is Sovereign?”

“Do I believe He is worthy of all praise?”

“Do I respond as Job, with humility and worship when facing loss?”

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for Job’s story and how much there is to glean from it. Lord Jesus, please help me to cling to Your truths, to be steadfast in my integrity before You. Lord, I want to walk as Job did. I want to be faithful through every circumstance. Lord, I want to seek You in all things, praising You continually with a thankful heart. Lord, I am weak and often I fail to give You the trust and worship You deserve. Please forgive me. Lord, I want to do better. Thank You for today, another opportunity to choose to walk with You. May my life reflect Your Word. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.

Allied with the children of Israel

And when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done unto Jericho and to Ai,  They did work wilily, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors, and took old sacks upon their donkeys, and wine bottles, old, and rent, and bound up;  And old shoes and clouted upon their feet, and old garments upon them; and all the bread of their provision was dry and mouldy.  And they went to Joshua unto the camp at Gilgal, and said unto him, and to the men of Israel, We be come from a far country: now therefore make ye a league with us.
Joshua 9:3‭-‬6 KJV

These people of Gibeon heard how God had given victory to the children of Israel.

Kings had gone to war against the children of Israel.

Barak had hired Balaam to curse them and then followed his advice to snare the children of Israel with idolatry.

Nothing anyone had done previously had worked, all had been over thrown.

So we see the people of Gibeon try something new.

They tricked the children of Israel into making a promise.

They made an alliance with the children of Israel.

The old saying: “If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em” comes into play.

The people of Gibeon joined the children of Israel.

And Joshua made peace with them, and made a league with them, to let them live: and the princes of the congregation sware unto them.
Joshua 9:15 KJV

Although the people of Gibeon lied and deceived, they made a far better choice than any other group who had dealt with the children of Israel.

It was a wise choice and God honored the promise made to them.

Of course, when one chooses the Lord God, it’s noticed by those who consider Him their enemy.

Wherefore Adoni–zedek king of Jerusalem sent unto Hoham king of Hebron, and unto Piram king of Jarmuth, and unto Japhia king of Lachish, and unto Debir king of Eglon, saying,  Come up unto me, and help me, that we may smite Gibeon: for it hath made peace with Joshua and with the children of Israel.
Joshua 10:3‭-‬4 KJV

And the men of Gibeon sent unto Joshua to the camp to Gilgal, saying, Slack not thy hand from thy servants; come up to us quickly, and save us, and help us: for all the kings of the Amorites that dwell in the mountains are gathered together against us. So Joshua ascended from Gilgal, he, and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valour. And the Lord said unto Joshua, Fear them not: for I have delivered them into thine hand; there shall not a man of them stand before thee.
Joshua 10:6‭-‬8 KJV

God wiped out those who had set themselves up to take out the people of Gibeon.

It’s certain the people of Gibeon were seen as traitors by the peoples around them, but the truth is they had been traitors to God, serving idols instead of God. When they made their alliance they were returning to God, although they may not have known it then. With the covenant they became servants of God’s people for generations.

God never forgot the promise made to the Gibeonites. 2 Samuel 21:1-14 KJV

The people of Gibeon joined the Israelites and found two things.

First, they experienced persecution from those around them who didn’t like the alliance they had made.

Second, they found themselves rescued by God Almighty.

Today we do not have to try to trick, lie, or deceive others to join God’s people.

Jesus opened the door to salvation and called the Disciples to spread the good news to every tribe and tongue.

The only thing required to join God’s people is to believe in Jesus Christ and what He did for us.

When that choice is made, they who have chosen change masters.

No longer are they slaves to sin and wickedness, but instead servants of the Most High God.

Truly, God is the best Master.

Jesus said:

Matthew 11:30 NKJV — “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for this story. Thank You for salvation. Thank You for being such a wonderful Master. Lord, You served people while You walked upon this Earth and You call us to serve as well. Please help us to be humble and loving people. People who shine the light of Your truth. Lord, what a wonderful privilege to have an alliance with You, to find redemption and salvation in You. Thank You, Jesus for all Your blessings. May Your glory fill the whole Earth. Amen.

Praise, worship, and prayer

These days, just a few steps before a major election in our nation, seem to be full.

Full of voices, words, emotion.

No matter where I drive or walk there are signs saying something about the season we find ourselves in.

The social unrest, the violence, and the fear seem to be rampant.

Therefore, in these next few days I’m going to be focused on praise, worship, and prayer.

I would encourage you to look up worship music which speaks about God, Who He is and what He has done.

Is He Worthy? by Andrew Peterson is one of my favorites.

Whenever times are frightening it is wise to remind ourselves of who God is and what He has done.

Deuteronomy 10:17 NKJV — “For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe.

God is never tempted by sin.

He doesn’t wonder what might happen next.

He is mighty and awesome, and doesn’t show partiality.

Deuteronomy 10:21 NKJV — “He is your praise, and He is your God, who has done for you these great and awesome things which your eyes have seen.

We need to remember the things He has done, the blessings He has given, the provision of food on the table and breath in our lungs.

Psalm 66:3 NKJV — Say to God, “How awesome are Your works! Through the greatness of Your power Your enemies shall submit themselves to You.

Truly, the LORD, He is God!

Let us worship and praise Him!

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You so much for who You are. You are mighty and awesome. You are worthy of all praise and honor. Your ways are higher than our ways. Your thoughts are better than our thoughts. You are good and we can trust You that in all things You are working. Lord, we know You spoke clearly in Your Word, that one day sin and death would reign here on earth, that the wickedness of mankind would be dealt with fully. Lord, before that time, I humbly ask, that You send a major awakening in the hearts of men and women all over the world. Lord, please let the hearts of people see the truth, that You are the only way, there is no other. Please stop the lies, stop the deception and let people see You, the truth. Thank You Lord. I praise Your holy name. Thank You! Amen.