Job 4:1-7:21 ~ 1 Corinthians 14:18-40 ~ Psalm 37:30-40 ~ Proverbs 21:27
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Old Testament - Today in Job chapter 4 we read about Eliphaz the Temanite's first response to Job, including these words in verses 3 through 6: "In the past you have encouraged many a troubled soul to trust in God; you have supported those who were weak. Your words have strengthened the fallen; you steadied those who wavered. But now when trouble strikes, you faint and are broken. Does your reverence for God give you no confidence? Shouldn't you believe that God will care for those who are upright?" How do these words of Eliphaz's speak to you? Are these fair words for him to be saying to Job? Are they fair words for us to consider in our own lives today as well?
Then in chapter 6 Job responds to Eliphaz as follows in verse 2 through 6: "If my sadness could be weighed and my troubles be put on the scales, they would be heavier than all the sands of the sea. That is why I spoke so rashly. For the Almighty has struck me down with his arrows. He has sent his poisoned arrows deep within my spirit. All God's terrors are arrayed against me. Don't I have a right to complain? Wild donkeys bray when they find no green grass, and oxen low when they have no food. People complain when there is no salt in their food." How do these words of Job's speak to you? Are these fair words for him to be saying in reply to Eliphaz? Are they fair words for us to consider in our own lives today as well?
Below is a powerful image for Job's words in chapter 7 verse 11:
New Testament - I don't know if you've ever heard Billy Graham say that he likes to read the newspaper in one hand with the Bible in the other hand? I will try to provide an example of how we can do this today, thanks to an article a couple of years ago in Newsweek titled "In Search of the Spiritual" at this link. This is an opportunity to read Paul's words today in First Corinthians chapter 14 on orderly worship, and then compare to what you read in this Newsweek article. I'll let you work out your own conclusions. Be like Billy Graham - read the news of the day in one hand with the Bible in the other hand. Tim Challies (one of my favorite bloggers) has an interesting take on this Newsweek article on his blog at this link.
(On some more Billy Graham / magazine notes, did everyone catch the Newsweek magazine article about Billy titled "Pilgrim's Progress"? You can read it online here. Billy is now 90 years old - below left is a TIME cover from 15 years ago. And below right is another TIME cover from just 2 years ago with an article about Billy ministering to President's which you can read at this link.)
The One Year Bible Companion book dives into the question "Does 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 mean that women should not speak in church services today?" I encourage you to pick up this book, as it is invaluable in going through the One Year Bible and covers great questions like this. I will share with you a little bit of their answer on this today - "Women have much to contribute and can participate in worship services. In the Corinthian culture, women were not allowed to confront men in public. Apparently some of the women who had become Christians thought that their Christian freedom gave them the right to question men in public worship. This was causing division in the church. Paul was asking the women not to flaunt their Christian freedom during worship. The purpose of Paul's words was to promote unity, not to teach about women's role in the church." Thank you Tyndale for this Q & A.
Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in First Corinthians titled "Spiritual Gifts and Self Control" is at this link.
Psalms - Psalm 37 verses 30 & 31 read like amazing Proverbs: "The godly offer good counsel; they know what is right from wrong. They fill their hearts with God's law, so they will never slip from his path." Are you filling your heart with God's teachings? Are you doing this so that you will never slip from His path? Are you offering good counsel to those around you? When others around you see you, do they see someone that clearly knows what is right from wrong? Below is a little Right & Wrong sign humor for you :) -
Proverbs - Proverbs 21 verse 27 is one of those that makes you go "ouch" - "God loathes the sacrifice of an evil person, especially when it is brought with ulterior motives." Well, not the evil person part making me go ouch, so much as the "ulterior motives" part. I do think there is so much wisdom in Jesus' admonition to give without letting the right hand know what the left hand is doing. I am afraid that sometimes I have not only let the right hand know when I'm giving - but many other people as well! That's ulterior motives. And it's not right obviously, as we see in this Proverb today and as we hear from Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. How about you and your giving or acts of kindness - Do you give with pure motives? With no ulterior motives? With no strings attached?
Worship God: Well, I'm not 100% sure if when Michael Gungor and Israel Houghton wrote the hit song "Friend of God" that they had Job's words mind mind from today's readings in chapter 7 verse 17: “What are people, that you should make so much of us, that you should think of us so often?" But let me know your thoughts after watching this worshipful video. This video features Chris Tomlin and Israel Houghton from Passion 2007. (Israel's voice is like butter!) Oh - and you might want to take Chris Tomlin's advice in the opening of this video and get up out of your chair and dance! :)
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture this week: "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:13 (NIV)
Comments from You & Questions of the Day: What verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
God bless,
Mike
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