July 8 :: Job 36-37; Acts 15:22-41

Job 36:13

"The godless in heart harbor resentment;
       even when he fetters them, they do not cry for help."

Job 36:16

"He is wooing you from the jaws of distress
       to a spacious place free from restriction,
       to the comfort of your table laden with choice food."

These two verses give us counter attitudes towards God: "we don't need You" and "we do need You."

So which will it be: Godless and resentful, with no intention of crying for help...or freed from distress comforted by God? What does that decision mean for your life...today?

July 7 :: Job 34-35; Acts 15:1-21

Read carefully...

Job 35:2-3

"Do you think this is just?
       You say, 'I will be cleared by God.

Yet you ask him, 'What profit is it to me,
       and what do I gain by not sinning?' 

Do you see how Job has lied to himself? He has said to God, "I will not gain anything by not sinning" and has also said, "God will clear my sins." He has admitted that God redeems, but not that he has anything from which God should redeem him... And later:

Job 35:13

Indeed, God does not listen to their empty plea;
       the Almighty pays no attention to it. 

Shall we pray now with honesty in our hearts towards God? He doesn't want empty prayers, prayers for our own self-advancement. He wants prayers that take us straight to His heart, which means...painfully and wonderfully so...we must be honest with ourselves. How can He fix what has not been brought into the light?  

So run to Him who saves precious ones. Admit to the wrongs in your own heart so that He can renew you. Amen! Thank you Lord.