Job 10
Job repeats that he is weary of life verse 1
My soul is weary of my life I will leave my complaint upon myself
I will speak in the bitterness of my soul
Job communicates with the LORD:
Show me my sin verse 2- 7
I will say to God Do not condemn me show me wherefore YOU contend
with me Is it good unto YOU that YOU should oppress that YOU should despise
the work of TOUR hand and SHINE upon the counsel of the wicked?
Have YOU eyes of flesh? Or see YOU as man sees?
Are YOUR days as the days of man? are YOUR years as man’s days
that YOU inquire after mine iniquity and search after my sin?
YOU know that I am not wicked and there is none that can deliver out of YOUR hand
Job communicates with the LORD:
My Creator verse 8- 12
YOUR hands have MADE me and FASHIONED me
together round about
YET YOU do destroy me
Remember – I beseech YOU – that YOU have MADE me as the clay
and will YOU bring me into dust again?
Have YOU not poured me out as milk
and curdled me like cheese?
YOU hast clothed me with skin and flesh
and have fenced me with bones and sinews
YOU hast granted me life and favor
and YOUR visitation has preserved my spirit
Job communicates with the LORD: Marked by God verse 13- 17
And these things have YOU hid in YOUR heart
I know that this is with YOU
IF I sin -THEN – YOU mark me
and YOU will not acquit me from mine iniquity
IF I be wicked – WOE is me
IF I be righteous – YET will I not lift up my head
I am full of CONFUSION
THEREFORE see YOU mine AFFLICTION
FOR it increases
YOU hunt me as a fierce lion
and again YOU show YOURSELF marvelous on me
YOU renew YOUR witnesses against me
and increases YOUR indignation upon me
changes and war are against me
Job communicates with the LORD: Wishes for death verse 18- 22
Wherefore then have YOU brought me forth out of the womb?
Oh that I had given up the ghost – and no eye had seen me
I should have been as though I had not been
I should have been carried from the womb to the grave
Are not my days few? cease then – and let me alone
that I may take comfort a little – before I go whence I shall not return
even to the land of darkness and the shadow of death
a land of darkness – as darkness itself
and of the shadow of death – without any order
and where the light is as darkness
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 1 My soul is weary of my life; I will leave my complaint on myself; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul. (5354 “weary” [naqat] means to feel disgust, to find repugnant, feel a loathing, to be cut off, or be grieved)
DEVOTION: Job has had two people who claim to be friends give him a tongue lashing. They both believed that he was wrong. They both believed that he was paying the consequences of his sins. He looked at what was happening and knew that he had been faithful to the LORD and yet all these things were happening to him.
It is hard to go through hard times without encouragement from those who claim to be friends.
So here he states that he is disgusted with his life. He knew what it was like to have the good times but now he was facing bad times that seemed to keep progressing toward even getting more worse if that was possible. Or as those who don’t understand grammar might say “worst-er” which isn’t a word.
He thinks he has a right to complain to God about the way that HE is treating him. He is complaining freely without any restraint. He has a bitter feeling inside over what is happening in his life. He doesn’t think it is fair. Would we think the same way if this was happening to us?
Is complaining the answer? Most people would say “NO” but here is a man who has faithfully followed the LORD at the end of his patience with what is going on around him. Here we find that Job is being honest about his feelings even though they are wrong feelings and going to the LORD with what he is thinking.
We have to make sure that we go to the right person to complain when we think that life is not fair. The right person is the LORD. HE will give us a hearing but will also as we will find out later give us some questions we need to answer regarding how HE does thinks differently than what humans think is fair.
Faithfulness doesn’t mean no hard times when we are dealing with believers. The Bible tells us that even when we are faithful the LORD is going to deal with us as children who need to learn more about HIM.
CHALLENGE: What are you learning today about HIM? Are you in the mood to complain or praise? Are you bitter or getting better in your relationship with HIM?
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 3 Is it good to YOU that YOU should oppress, that YOU should despise the work of YOUR hands,and
shine upon the counsel of the wicked. (3988 “despise” [ma’ac] means to refuse, reject, to loo
down on with contempt, trash, or be in a state of limiting or avoiding an association.)
DEVOTION: We find that in our world there are many different groups of people.
There are those who are accepted into a group and there are people who are rejected by
the same group. There are individuals who are accepted by God on the basis of a proper relationship to HIM through Jesus Christ today and there are those who have rejected Jesus Christ that are not part of that group.
So we find that even in churches there are those who are accepted and those who are rejected even in the same congregation. It is not what the LORD wants but it is what people do to each other.
Now we find that Job is saying the same thing about God. It seems to him that God is not willing to work with him and he is wondering why this is taking place. We can think these thoughts as well today.
It seems that some people’s prayer get answered quickly and we continue to pray and there is no answer coming. Job has this feeling because he has been asking the LORD to let him know what he could do to reestablish a proper relationship to HIM.
We know that we are the work of the LORD’S hands. We know that HE expects us to follow HIM through the ministry of the Holy Spirit in our life after we have accepted Jesus Christ as our personal Savior. It seems like it should be easy to communicate with HIM on a daily basis but sometimes it is just like Job experienced the heavens were silent.
God wants us to trust HIM with our whole heart each day and realize that HE is working in our lives for our own good. HE allows trials to get us closer to HIM. HE allows blessing, so that, we know that HE is working in our lives.
CHALLENGE: We have to realize that God does everything in HIS time and HE knows that HIS time is the best way for us to understand HIM.
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: 8 YOUR hands have made me and fashioned me to get her round about; yet YOU do destroy me. (6213 “fashioned” [‘asah] means to make, manufacture, or to make or cause to be or to become)
DEVOTION: Can we blame God for the way we were created in the womb? Can we understand that God gave us our personality? Can we understand that God gave us our looks and HE was pleased with the way we look? Do we understand that all our body parts are put in the right place because HE put them there?
When you look in the mirror do you think about all the work that the LORD put into your body, mind and spirit? Job did!! He knew that the LORD was the Creator of the Universe. He knew that God had a plan for our life before we were born. He knew that he had to make choices regarding how he was to live his life. He chose to live a life that would be pleasing to the LORD. He had made that choice and now he was wondering if he made the right choice.
We know that he made the right choice but was going through a hard time and needed to stop questioning what God was doing and ask the LORD for patience to wait for the end of the story. Job had run out of patience and thought that the LORD was just out to destroy him.
God’s purpose for Job and for us is not to destroy us but to make us better. HE wants us to realize that HIS love is great and that HE will work all the details of our life to make us glorify HIM.
Are you accepting the way the LORD has made you? Are you accepting how the LORD made those other believers around you?
CHALLENGE: HE did it for a reason and we need to ask HIM to help us love each other as much as HE loves us.
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 14 If I sin, then YOU mark me, and YOU will not acquit me from my iniquity. (8104 “mark” [shamar]means to hedge about, to protect, attend to, be circumspect, observe, wait for, or preserve.)
DEVOTION: Have you ever felt that the LORD was watching you so close to see if you would sin? Did you ever feel like there are sins that HE would not forgive? Do you ever feel like the LORD is picking on you? Well, we have a time in Job’s life that he thought all these thoughts and more.
His friend accused him of sinning. They thought it was the reason for the judgment of God. He claimed innocence.
Job is answering his second “friend” Bildad. In his answer he addresses the LORD. He informs the LORD that he is weary of life. He asks the LORD a number of questions. He tells the LORD that he knows the LORD created him. He tells the LORD that he is confused with what is happening to him. He asks the LORD why HE didn’t let him die at birth. He wants the LORD to let him alone to have some comfort before he goes to the grave.
This sounds familiar to us, as we have studied Job so far. He understands that he is a sinner. He knows that the LORD is the judge of sin. He thought that he is a man that is hedged about by the LORD for judgment. He wonders if the LORD has not acquitted or forgiven his sins. He understands that if he lifts his head in pride because he is righteous, the LORD will not be happy with him.
We know that the LORD acquits sin because of the death of HIS son on the cross for those who are followers of HIM. We know that he buries our sins in the deepest part of the sea. We know that our sin is forgiven. God forgave the sins of Old Testament saints as well. We sometimes think that the LORD never forgives our past. That is a lie from the enemy.
When did the LORD forgive our sins and the sins of Job? Before the foundation of world the LORD knew each of us, as well as, Job and HE knew we would be followers of HIM. Our sins were forgiven then. We had a perfect standing with the LORD then. Our sins never surprise God. God loves us just as much now as HE did before the foundation of the world. Can we understand that? NO!! Can Job understand this? NO! He is going through a time when he is wondering about the LORD and how HE works because of his “friends” comments. They are not encouragers but discouragers. Job just wants to die.
Confusion has taken over in the mind of Job. He wants answers but doesn’t really receive any but the LORD does speak at the end of the book to help him understand. God knew that Job was “perfect and upright” as HE stated it to Satan before the test began.
CHALLENGE: When we feel observed by the LORD for every sin we commit, forget it!! That is a lie of Satan. HE is an encourager. We need to remember that each day of our life. Even HIS tests are to encourage to be more like HIS Son.
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: 20 Are not my days few? cease then, and let me alone, that I may take comfort a little. (1082 “comfort” [balag] means to show a smile, to feel happiness and joy, to become cheerful, to brighten up, gleam, to cause to shine, rejoice, or implying a lack of worry or suffering)
DEVOTION: Job knows he is going to die soon as he is suffering so much from what has happened to his family, possessions and health. He is talking to the LORD to give him a reprieve from his suffering for a short time before he dies. He thinks it would be good of the LORD to do this, so that, he can put a smile on his face just before he dies.
We hear of people rallying just before they die and Job wants this to be granted him by the LORD. He knows that the LORD has the power to do that for him. He is not afraid to ask for it.
He thinks the LORD can lift HIS hand of suffering from off his body and give him a time to laugh just before he dies. He is going to a dark place and wants to have a time in the sun.
We sometimes think our suffering is more than we can bear and ask the LORD to end it even if it means in death. Job doesn’t know the facts about what is happening but he thinks he does and wants to see his life end because his hope is dying as well as his body.
In spite of all his complaining he understands who the LORD is and what power HE has over the elements of the world. We have to realize the same things when we are going through a hard time in our lives.
We might think of praying the same prayer or having the same conversation with the LORD. Remember that prayer is a time when we can be honest with the LORD about what we are feeling. HE wants us to be honest and talk to him as we would talk to our earthly father who loves us.
Some of those who are reading this didn’t have an earthly father who showed them love. He never helped them or gave them what they requested of him. Our Father in heaven is different from those types of earthly fathers. HE genuinely loves us and wants to grant us our request but only if HE knows it is good for us. This testing was good for Job to go through. It gave us an example of what suffering is and sometimes it is for a good reason other than to just cause us pain. Job had to learn something about himself and the LORD during this time.
Do we look at our times of suffering as times of learning? Do we question the LORD’S love during our times of suffering?
CHALLENGE: Our responsibility during suffering is to trust the LORD that HE genuinely loves us and doing what is best for us at that time in our life.
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DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Job’s conversation with the LORD verse 2- 22
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
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DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
God – Elohim (Creator, Sovereign) verse 2
Creator verse 8- 13
Made Job
Fashioned Job
Poured Job out like milk
Curdled Job like cheese
Clothed Job with skin and flesh
Fenced Job with bones and sinews
Granted Job life and favor
HIS visitation has preserved Job’s spirit
Will not acquit Job of inquity
Sees Job’s affliction
Shows YOURSELF marvelous
Indignation
Marvelous verse 16
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Job verse 1
Weary of life
Bitterness of soul
Say to God: Do not condemn me
Brought out of the womb
Condemned verse 2
Full of confusion verse 15
Witnesses verse 17
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Complaint verse 1
Bitterness verse 1
Wicked verse 3, 7, 15
Iniquity verse 6, 14
Sin verse 6, 14
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Live verse 12
Favor verse 12
Presence of the LORD verse 12
Acquit verse 14
Righteous verse 15
Comfort verse 20
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
Given up the ghost verse 18
Womb to the grave verse 19
Land of darkness verse 21, 22
Shadow of death verse 21, 22
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QUOTES regarding passage
10:20 The leading ideas of this verse are all found elsewhere in Job’s speeches. The notion of “few days” is in 14:1. The verb ḥādal, “cease,” translated here “are almost over,” was in 7:16 translated “let me alone.” That wish is expressed differently in the second line of this verse. Job’s wish for a momentary reprieve from God’s incessant badgering also was expressed in 7:19. (Alden, R. L. (1993). Job (Vol. 11, pp. 139–140). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.)
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10:18–22. Once more the complainant asked for death (cf. 3:20–23; 6:8–9; 7:15; 10:18–19; 14:13), wishing he had never been born (cf. 3:17). Had he gone, like a stillborn, directly from the womb to the tomb, he would have bypassed all this misery. But since he was about to die (cf. 7:6–9; 9:25–26; 14:1–2, 5; 17:1) he asked God to give him at least a brief reprieve with a moment’s joy (cf. “joy” in 9:25). Death would be final (no return) and gloomy. Four Hebrew words for darkness were amassed to depict the darkness of the grave (gloom, ḥōšek; cf. 3:4, “darkness”; deep shadow, ṣalmāweṯ; cf. 3:5; deepest night, ‘êp̱âh, used only here and in Amos 4:13, “darkness”; and darkness, ’ōp̱el; cf. Job 3:6; 23:17; 28:3). This speech, like some others of Job’s ended on a doleful note about death (cf. 3:21–22; 7:21; 14:21–22). (Zuck, R. B. (1985). Job. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, pp. 732–733). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
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18–22 Was it for this that Job was born? He is doubly hopeless now; he cannot find out how to approach God to win vindication from him (9:11), and he feels he is in the grip of an angry God who will make him suffer whether he is innocent or not (10:7). Not surprisingly, then, Job lapses into his mood of despair we first heard in ch. 3, mingled with the appeal for the absence of God that we met with in 7:16, 19. (Carson, D. A., France, R. T., Motyer, J. A., & Wenham, G. J. (Eds.). (1994). New Bible commentary: 21st century edition (4th ed., p. 467). Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press.)
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20. Are not my days few? My life is short, and hastens to a close. Let not then my afflictions be continued to the last moment of life, but let thine hand be removed, that I may enjoy some rest before I go hence to return no more. This is an address to God, and the meaning is, that as life was necessarily so short, he asked to be permitted to enjoy some comfort before he should go to the land of darkness and of death; (Barnes, A. (1847). Notes on the Old Testament: Job (Vol. 1, p. 232). London: Blackie & Son.)
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But it is vain to wish and pray against what is and can not cease to be. Yet my days at the utmost must be few. Let me therefore pray that God would arrest these terrible inflictions, withdraw his too heavy hand, and let my face brighten up (Heb.) for one brief moment, before I go and not return—go to that realm of utter darkness—that chaos of all desolation where even the light is but darkness itself! (Cowles, H. (1877). The Book of Job: With Notes, Critical, Explanatory, and Practical (p. 62). New York: D. Appleton & Company.)
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Poor Job, the God he imagined was so angry with him was not angry with him at all; but in his current state of mind, he reverted back to his original wish to have died at birth, to have been carried straight from the womb to the tomb (vv.18–19). In chapter 3 Job saw Sheol as a place where he might have found some rest from his troubles; here in chapter 10 he longed for a few days of release on earth before he had to go to that place of no return, which he envisioned as a land of gloom and deepest night (vv.20–23).
Job had reached about as far as a human being can go into the depths of depression and despair, but it would do us well to be reminded that even the apostle of hope said in 2 Corinthians 1:8–9: “We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts, we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.” In his despair Job still wrestled with God, but it was still to the living God that his cry was lifted up. An important question yet to be faced is, Did Job have any hope that transcended this life? (Smick, E. B. (1988). Job. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job (Vol. 4, pp. 912–913). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)
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10:20–22 “Since I was destined to these ills from my birth, at least give me a little breathing room during the brief days left to me, before I die,” he said. Death was gloomily described as “darkness.” (MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Job 10:20–22). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.)
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Ver. 20. Are not my days few? &c.] They are so, the days of every man are but few; see ch. 14:1; Psal. 90:10. the remainder of Job’s days were but few; considering the course of nature, and especially the sore afflictions he had on him, it could not be thought his days on earth were many; in all likelihood, according to human probability, he had but a few days to live: or are not my days a small little thing? it is as an hand’s breadth, as nothing before God, Psal. 39:5. cease then; that is, from afflicting him; since he had so short a time to live, he requests there might be some intermission of his trouble; that he might have some intervals of comfort and refreshment, that not all his days, which were so few, should be spent in grief and sorrow: some connect this with the preceding clause, and which is most agreeable to the accents, shall not the fewness of my days cease? I have but a few days, and these few days will soon cease; therefore give me some respite from my afflictions; and so the Targum, “are not my days swift and ceasing?” and let me alone; don’t follow me with afflictions, or disturb and distress me with them; but take off thine hand, that I may have some rest and ease; see ch. 7:10. or put from me; thine anger, as Kimchi, or thine army, as Junius and Tremellius; or thy camp, as Cocceius; that is, decamp from me, remove thy troops, the changes and war that are against me, by which I am besieged, surrounded, and straitened; let me be delivered from them: that I may take comfort a little; that he might have some breathing-time, some respite from his troubles, some refreshment to his spirit, some reviving to his fainting soul, some renewing of strength, before he departed this life; see Psal. 39:13. so Aben Ezra and Gersom render it: that I may be strengthened; or that his heart might gather strength. (Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 3, pp. 278–279). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
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14–22. What Job hath here said, that he was full of confusion, and that his affliction encreased, may serve to account, in some measure, for the many hasty complaints he throws out. It is one of the most interesting beauties of the scriptures, and for which we never can sufficiently offer up our praises to God the Holy Ghost, that he hath not only recorded the faith of the eminent servants of the Lord, but their frailties also. And the gracious intention of that blessed, and condescending Teacher, in this kind and merciful act, no humble soul should be at a loss to understand. Surely it was to comfort the Lord’s people, under their infirmities, that, as these things were written aforetime, written for our learning, so we in the view of them through patience, and comfort of the scriptures, might have hope. Rom. 15:4. (Hawker, R. (2013). Poor Man’s Old Testament Commentary: Job–Psalms (Vol. 4, p. 41). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.)
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Our views of Job in this chapter are various. In one part of it, we behold him in the exercise of grace. In another under the frettings of nature. Alas! what is man in his highest attainments, when for a moment he loseth sight of Jesus? My Brother! if you know any thing of your own heart, you will know also, if so be that the Lord hath quickened you, to a new and spiritual life, that, you are still in the body; and a body of sin and death, which drags down the soul. Much of nature as well as grace, is in the best of saints. If you have the spirit of Christ, you have also a body of flesh. If you have strong faith, you know what it is to have strong corruptions. And hence, were it not that perpetual communications are imparted, to keep the soul alive amidst the rubbish of corruption, what believer would be able to withstand long the many powerful foes of his salvation, which he hath to encounter?
We see Job, in this chapter, giving way to much impatience. But it will be a profitable view of the subject, if from the view we are led to see where our strength is, and by whom alone the best of men are kept, from similar backslidings. My Brother! it is Jesus alone that keeps his people in the hour, and from the power of temptation; and to have an eye stedfast upon him, to live to him, to believe in him, to delight ourselves in him, to lie passive in his hands, under every dispensation however trying, to be pleased with him as a sure friend when all things frown, as though he was turned to be our enemy; to depend upon his word, his faithfulness, his truth, when every method whereby he can be faithful, seems for the time to be lost; and like the prophet, when the fig trees blossom, and the fields fruit both fail; yet even then to live upon an unchangeable God in Christ, when all outward circumstances are changed; this, this is the patience of the saints. This is what God the Father is pleased with, in the grace of his dear Son, manifested in the faith of his people, and while the believer thus gives glory to God, God will give peace to the believer. Them that honor me, saith God, I will honor. Oh! then for grace to live to his glory, in dark seasons as well as light, and to make Christ all and in all. (Hawker, R. (2013). Poor Man’s Old Testament Commentary: Job–Psalms (Vol. 4, pp. 41–42). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.)
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FROM MY READING:
(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)
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Jesus’ message of salvation is the greatest news on earth. He does not leave to chance the need for His message to be taken to all earth’s people.
In Matthew 28, Jesus charges His disciples with that task. If however, you begin the recital of the Great Commission with verse 19, you have the “great omission.” Verse 19 begins with “Go therefore.” But to fully understand the phrase, we must go to verse 18 to see what “therefore” is there for.
On the basis of His authority, we are to go, and to go in confidence that, as we are obedient to the Lord Jesus Christ’s commission, He will accomplish His work through us. (Quiet Walk)
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Prayer Wall
But we prayed to our God, and because of them we set up a guard against them day and night. – NEHEMIAH 4:9
After one of our many radio broadcasts in which I talked about the vital importance of praying together as a couple (I hope you’re hearing that strongly in this book, because it is so essential to the success of your marriage), a gentleman wrote me with a new way of looking at this. I thought this was quite profound and encouraging: When I was growing up, we lived in a small three-bedroom bungalow, so it was impossible not to hear my parents audibly praying each night before they went to sleep. I grew accustomed to hearing their nightly words of petition and gratitude for each one of us as they knelt down together beside their bed.
Several years ago, as I was sorting through some of my own parenting strategies and comparing them to my parents, I received this mental picture: I see parenting as a wall that we construct by choosing various stones. Some are the same ones our parents used, while others are decidedly different. But regardless, there will always be gaps between these irregularly shaped stones. None of our walls are perfectly constructed. That is where prayer comes in. Those prayers—like the ones my parents faithfully sent heavenward over the years—are the mortar supplier. As we pray, God fills in the gaps and makes the wall strong.
He’s right. There are no perfect parents. There are no foolproof strategies that work without incident every single time. But there is prayer. And there is God. And there is a power unleashed as we humble ourselves before Him that does more than any how-to parenting procedure on the planet. As you build your wall, caulk it with prayer. And watch God hold back your enemies. (Moments with You Couples by Dennis and Barbara Rainey)
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Daily Hope
Today’s Scripture
Acts 23:23-35
Paul Revere was sent on a wild horseback ride in the middle of the night to warn Samuel Adams and John Hancock of an impending attack by the British. This famous ride is often considered the event that began the Revolutionary War. Revere risked his life so that others could be free, and a new nation become a reality.
The apostle Paul was whisked away in the middle of the night to be protected from forty men who had pledged to end his life before their next meal. The Roman commander took his responsibilities seriously and considered the necessary steps to ensure that Paul would be safe under his protection. The commander writes a letter of introduction to the governor providing him with information needed to examine, Paul, the prisoner. Upon arrival, Felix briefly questioned Paul about his place of origin and when he concluded it was within his jurisdiction, he agreed to hear the case.
There are times when the Lord appears to be silent, and the process of the secular rule is allowed to run its course and accomplish its duties. In the care of two hundred Roman soldiers, seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen, Paul was well protected from the scheme of the Jews. Despite the threats, the Lord provided overwhelming security for Paul so that he could arrive at the destination the Lord had previously stated he would reach (23:11).
The Lord uses both the supernatural and ordinary resources to bring His children to the place he desires them. The Lord can move the heavens and earth, or He uses the most powerful army in the world to transport His servant to an appointed destination. Nothing is too difficult to hinder the work or word of God so that it is delivered at its appointed time and place. Romans 8:31-39 speaks of the everlasting love of God and how He will allow nothing to separate us from Him and His appointed duties. Be prepared for His answer to your adversity, it may be on its way in an unexpected manner!
With an Expectant Hope, Pastor Miller
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BELIEF IN JESUS CHRIST
But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. John 20:31
What do we believe about Christ? What is the teaching about Him? Why do you think the four Gospels were ever written? Surely there can be no hesitation about answering this question. They were written–God caused men to write them and guided them through the Spirit as they did so–in order that the truth concerning the Lord Jesus Christ might be known exactly. All sorts of false stories were current in the first century. They were apocryphal gospels, and in them things were being ascribed to Him and He was reported to have done and said things that had never happened. So the Gospels were written in order to define the truth, in order to exclude certain falsehoods and give the facts plainly and clearly
Luke, in the introduction to his Gospel, says: “Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word; it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, that thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed” (1:1-4). You will find that John, at the end of his Gospel, virtually says the same thing: “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God” (20:31).
But not only do the Gospels tell us that–there are also several sections in other parts of the New Testament that specifically make the same point. Take the first epistle of John, for example. Why was it written” To counteract the false teaching that was current, the teaching that denied that Jesus Christ had come in the flesh, that docetism, that false doctrine.
A Thought to Ponder: The Gospels were written in order that the truth concerning the Lord Jesus Christ might be known exactly.
(From God the Father, God the Son, pp. 246-247, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
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My Every Prayer
“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy.” (Philippians 1:3-4)
The letter to the Philippian church stands as perhaps the most personal of the epistles, with Paul’s love for the believers being obvious. He expressed his love with heartfelt prayer for them every time he thought of them.
These prayers are constant in the sense that the Philippian believers were never far from his thoughts. Often Paul resorted to prayer for their personal needs and their relationship to God. His prayers are described by at least two Greek words of interest to us. First, he tells that he “thanked [his] God” (Greek eucharisteo) each time they came to mind. To another church he similarly wrote, “I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 1:4). The word implies a sincere statement of genuine gratitude for their fellowship in being with him in serving God and partnership in the ministry.
Likewise, he used the word “supplication” (Greek deesei), an expression of gratefulness for his needs having been supplied. Paul’s needs were often provided for by those to whom he ministered, and he was profoundly grateful. The Christian minister is enjoined to remember his followers with “joy.” Paul remembered them in thankfulness to God for them and to them for their response.
We should strive to arrive at a balance between our ministry goals in evangelism and ongoing care for believers’ Christian growth and steadfast doctrinal purity. What is the state of our harmony among church members, as well as our prayers for them? (JDM, The Institute for Creation Research)
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