SOAP 11/08/2014; Job 33:13-14

Today's reading: Job 33; 1 Corinthians 1, 2, 3


S) "¹³ Why do you complain against Him
That He does not give an account of all His doings?
¹⁴ Indeed God speaks once,
Or twice, yet no one notices it."

Job 33:13-14 (NASB)

O) This chapter has a lot, A LOT, of content and subjects that can be unpacked. First, this is the long-waited address by Elihu, who explained his hesitation and waiting in chapter 32. He was younger than the other men, and was shy because of the age and experience of the men gathered. So, in his address to Job, in chapter 33, we find a pretty good model for disarming and beginning a conversation that will be difficult to navigate (vv. 4-7, again in v.32). We also see the danger of man's wisdom presented, which contrasts the benefit of biblical counseling (touched on with vv. 1-3, 8, 12, and 33). That brings us to the passage above. Job was perplexed, genuinely confused about his struggle and why God seemed to be against him. He desired to know why, but was still bound by a commitment to humility and reverence. This left him in turmoil, not knowing how to proceed. The words of Elihu, here, are a true reminder of the character and desires of God's heart. He longs for relationship with His creations, such as He had in the Garden of Eden. He wants to communicate with His people. He wants to be heard, not simply to be obeyed. The difficulty Job's friends had, was borne from the fact that they did not actually have the answers. Their wisdom was, indeed, useless to Job's circumstances. What was necessary (and eventually came), was to get answers from God Himself. It was not that God owed Job an explanation, as if He had erred in His treatment of Job. But, the answers Job sought, were never going to be found in the wisdom of man.

A) There have been many times when I've wished that God would just talk to me. I've wished that He would plainly speak to a particular situation. There have been many times when I've wished... I've wished... wished. How useless is that? The truth is, that God speaks to me, to all of His children, all of the time. Elihu continued in vv. 15 and 16, to describe how the LORD will speak in dreams, or even opening ears to hear His voice. I cannot wish to hear from God. I need to engage Him in conversation. I need to pray! A lot more often than the end of my daily journaling. I need to pray a lot more often that at night with my kids, or before dinner. Then, in vv. 17 and 18, Elihu described the instruction and benefit of the words of God, which sounds an awful lot like the Bible itself. I cannot neglect the fact that God is speaking directly to me, to my life and circumstances, every time I read the Bible. I need to approach the Word with that level of reverence and respect, and respond accordingly. God is constantly trying to speak to me, and I need to ensure that I'm constantly trying to listen.

P) Father, Your goodness and faithfulness are humbling. I confess that I have not been listening. I haven't been listening as well as I should, or as often as I need. I want to know Your ways, because they hold life. I want to know Your words, because they bring joy and peace, even before they ever teach hard direction or dutiful instruction. You don't have to be a God full of lovingkindness, but You are. You don't have to be a God who loves mercy, but You do. I need Your wisdom for my own life. I need Your wisdom to correctly lead my wife and family. I need Your wisdom to counsel friends. My own wisdom, logic, and advice are useless, futile, and negligent. They are negligent of what truly matters - what You say. Only Your will should prevail. Let Your will be done in my life, in the lives of my family, and in the lives of my friends. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 11/07/2014; Job 31:1

Today's reading: Job 31, 32; Galatians 5, 6

S) "¹ I have made a covenant with my eyes;
How then could I gaze at a virgin?"

Job 31:1 (NASB)

O) Once again, Job was asserting his innocence, this time regarding his purity in lust. What's notable, is that he actually linked what he saw, with his sexual purity. This is what Jesus echoed in Matthew 5:27-28, when He said that adultery in the heart was the same as physical unfaithfulness. This was speaking to a deeper, internal sin, not an outward transgression. The key to Job's purity in this, was the language he used. A covenant is not the same as a vow. Vows are little more than promises with consequences. Covenants, though, are a mutually beneficial, mutually obligatory agreement. Job called his commitment a covenant, because he saw the benefit in the purity of his eyes. By keeping his eyes clean, he was being blessed. In return, he was choosing to keep his eyes clean.

A) There are two main reasons, I think, that Christians struggle with lust, even after accepting Matthew 5:28. First, it is the realization that a wandering, lustful eye is destructive. There is no "victimless crime" with this, because the looker will always be a victim (possibly in addition to others, still). The second problem, is failing to see the blessing of purity. I think many men will make vows, realizing the destructive nature of lust (and any sin). But, those vows will fail if the benefits of purity are not drawn into focus. This is generally where I have failed. The vow is still more of a white-knuckled approach. A covenant is a more complete understanding of the grace-laden nature of our God and His covenant to us, especially after Christ. The original, natural way of God, is for His creations to be blessed in His purity. Through faith in Jesus, I am given righteousness. In that righteousness, I am blessed when I walk in purity. This order is restored by the covenant of the New Testament. Keeping that dynamic in focus is the essence of seeing my commitment as a covenant instead of a vow.

P) Father, it is simply amazing, the way You have authored this covenant with Your creations. You didn't have to bless us. You didn't have to make it, so that I am blessed when I walk out the righteousness You've given me. It is gift upon gift, and blessing on top of blessing. You add mercy to grace, and grace to mercy. You are holy and worthy. May the Holy Spirit remind me of what's at stake when I am tempted. Not simply remembering what negative consequences come with sin, but remembering what positive promises come with purity. It is a joy to live as You intended. It is a joy to live in Your will. You are a righteous and sovereign, loving and kind King. Your holiness demands obedience, but Your goodness makes obedience a joy. Let me remember that, and let Your will be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 11/06/2014; Job 30:13-14

Today's reading: Job 30; Psalm 120; Galatians 3, 4

S) "¹³ They break up my path,
They profit from my destruction;
No one restrains them.
¹⁴ "As through a wide breach they come,
Amid the tempest they roll on."

Job 30:13-14 (NASB)

O) It's easy to forget, when I read Job's words about those who opposed him, that these were real people. He had actual enemies, invaders from another land. Evil men came and stole his land, his goods, killed his servants and children. In the passage above, Job wasn't speaking hypothetically, he was speaking reality. The most notable thing, is the imagery Job used, when he said, "As through a breach they come," because that's pretty much exactly what happened. God had placed a hedge of protection around Job (see Job 1), and as soon as there was a breach in that hedge, his enemies struck. What Job didn't see, however, were that these were physical manifestations of spiritual realities. He said "As through..." because there were no physical walls being breached.

A) Many times, I've heard the phrase, "It feels like everything is against me." And what this passage is revealing, is that sometimes that's correct. When things are going wrong in my life, big or small, satan likes to play this game, lying to me about how everything bad is connected. There is a feeling of things snowballing, or spiraling out of control. This passage is showing, that sometimes those feelings are indicating what is actually happening on a spiritual level, I think. It reminds me that my enemy is as real and vicious as he has ever been. In Jesus Christ, I have every victory I need. The LORD protects His servants from myriad unknown dangers (see Isaiah 54:17). However, there is biblical precedent that even Jesus allows testing, by letting the enemy attack as he may (see Luke 22:31-32). So, the next time I feel like everything is against me, I need to accept that it could be real, but spiritual. I need to run, RUN, to my only help, the my Deliverer. It should be an encouragement to know that He is allowing me to be tested, because that means He knows me, knows my affliction, knows my character.

P) Father, Your wisdom and understanding is too much to fathom. I can pretend to know what's good for me, good for my life, but I am simply not qualified to make those kinds of determinations. You are, though. You are my Lord, because You are the only One who is worthy of my devotion. Please open my eyes to see, and my ears to hear, to know when I am actually, spiritually being afflicted, tested, that I may pass. Let me be reminded by the Holy Spirit, of every biblical truth You've said regarding testing, enduring, proving my faith. When I am examined, let me be found faithful, yet not by my strength, but by Yours. Let me believe, in grace, everything You promise. Let Your sovereign will be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 11/05/2014; Job 28:12-13

Today's reading: Job 28, 29; Galatians 1, 2

S) "¹² But where can wisdom be found?
And where is the place of understanding?
¹³ "Man does not know its value,
Nor is it found in the land of the living."

Job 28:12-13 (NASB)

O) Job was comparing wisdom to the finest earthly treasures in this chapter. He began by describing the way that man will go to great lengths to acquire beautiful things, which then defines their value. He goes into some detail about mining, searching for precious things. Then, he described wisdom as scarce and impossible to find. He said that man doesn't even realize its value, alluding to the point that, if we did know the true value of wisdom, we'd never stop searching for it, as we search for earthly treasures. He finished this chapter, by saying that God Himself has to reveal to men, what wisdom is (fearing Him and departing from evil), which shows us that wisdom is externally given. We cannot acquire it independently. True wisdom is not earned, or even learned, so much as it is given as a gift.

A) Knowing the value of wisdom is as much grace, as actually receiving the wisdom. These things go hand-in-hand, because as soon as we understand the value of wisdom, we will do all we can to acquire it. Reading through the Proverbs is an excellent way to be come familiar with the value of wisdom. Many years ago, my youth pastor advised me to read a chapter out of Proverbs every night before bed. I began to see, especially through the first 9 chapters (or so), that wisdom cannot be overvalued. So, I began to pray for wisdom often. In truth, though, there is no level of wisdom that is wise enough. Yet, I found that I stopped pursuing wisdom, stopped asking for it. In reality, I probably need wisdom now more than ever. I am responsible for more - more people, more money, more in my career - than I ever have been. Not to mention, as I get older, I'll be perpetually closer to my end on earth, which means that wisdom is always going to be increasing in value. So, how did I ever lose focus about wisdom? It's hard to pinpoint, but I know that the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom (see Job 28:28, and Proverbs 9:10). My resolution, then, is to put myself under the fear of the LORD, and start seeking His wisdom again.

P) Father, Your power and might are undeniably overpowering. If there is anything to take from the entire book of Job, it is to remember that Your sovereignty cannot be resisted. If You will, my job, health, family, wife, or worse, could be taken from me. And, in all of those losses, You would be blameless. I am afraid to ask, Father, that I be made to fear You more, because I'm afraid that would mean loss, suffering, and hardships. However, I have seen You graciously give wisdom, and I believe You can graciously put reverence in my heart. I want to fear You more, Father God. I want to respect and revere Your holy name, Your righteous power, Your absolute sovereignty. I want to correctly understand Your power over my life, and fear You. However it comes to pass, Father, I desire wisdom. Not for my own sake, but because I know You have many purposes and plans in my life, and I do not want to miss those purposes, miss those missions, because of folly. I want to correctly work my career to bring You praise. I want to correctly raise my kids to glorify You. I want to correctly lead my wife to honor Your name. Please, in Your loving grace, put the fear of You in my heart, and increase my wisdom. Yet, not my will, but Your will be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 11/04/2014; Job 26:2-4

Today's reading: Job 26, 27; Mark 15, 16

S) "² What a help you are to the weak!
How you have saved the arm without strength!
³ What counsel you have given to one without wisdom!
What helpful insight you have abundantly provided!
⁴ To whom have you uttered words?
And whose spirit was expressed through you?"

Job 26:2-4 (NASB)

O) The Bible has no sarcasm font, but there are some spots where God's people got a little chippy, and this was one of them. Job, thoroughly offended by the presumptions of his friends, started with a sarcastic prose, making the point that his friends (specifically Bildad, here) were doing more harm than good.

A) The most compelling point Job makes in this chapter, I think, is the very last line above. Job's words remind me, that my words should help the weak, saving those who have lost strength, giving counsel to the unwise, and that my insights should actually help! But, the most important test, is for me to consider: whose spirit was expressed through me? Are my words, especially when I counsel (my wife, children, or anyone else), are my words directed by God's Spirit? Am I giving way to my own flesh? Am I being a mouthpiece, giving opportunity to the enemy, even? There is a heavy responsibility when counseling others. So, it is especially important that the counsel I give is biblically based, so that I am expressing the Spirit of God.

P) Father, You are the One who gives strength. You are the One who saves. You are the One who holds and gives wisdom. You are the insightful Provider! My strength or wisdom, whatever I could give to another person, is worthless. The counsel and help of man, and I am that man, is worthless. I don't want the responsibility of giving my own counsel to others, and I also don't want that for other people, because I know that it would be flawed at best, and damaging at worst. I only want to facilitate Your will. I want to be a conduit for Your Spirit, for Your counsel, and for Your will. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 11/03/2014; Job 25:2-3

Today's reading: Job 25; Mark 13, 14

S) "² Dominion and awe belong to Him Who establishes peace in His heights.
³ Is there any number to His troops? And upon whom does His light not rise?"

Job 25:2-3 (NASB)

O) The book of Job is interesting, because it is such a long, detailed conversation. So, while the above verses would be right at home in a number of Psalms, the context of the ongoing conversation between these friends and Job, give these lines a different depth. We know that Job was not flippant toward the Lord his GOD, and yet here his friend is reminding him to be in awe. The message carried through this passage, because we know the character of the audience, is that we cannot ever be too reverent toward the LORD. There is no limit to His awesomeness, and no one is exempt from owing Him awe.

A) This has been a bit of a struggle for me in the past. I am not naturally reverent (and I suppose, given that our nature is sin, none of us are "naturally" reverent...). As much change as the LORD has brought in me, and even if I am not outright haughty, my heart can still be very nonchalant toward Him at times. This is truly an issue of focus and assertion. When I think about the fact that He establishes peace from His heights (sovereign), and I think about his countless legions of angels (omnipotent), and I think about His undeniable presence (omnipresent and omniscient), I am humbled and awestruck. It reminds me that He is truly awesome, in the most literal sense. I need to rest my mind on these things much more often.

P) Father, dominion and awe belong to You, Who establishes peace in Your heights. You decree and it is done. There is no number to Your troops. Your power cannot be stopped. Your light rises on everyone. No one can escape Your notice or presence. Humble me with the acknowledgement of these truths about Your character, Father God. Open my eyes and ears, to the wonder of Your glory. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 11/02/2014; Job 23:8-12

Today's reading: Job 23, 24; Mark 11, 12

S) "⁸ Behold, I go forward but He is not there,
And backward, but I cannot perceive Him;
⁹ When He acts on the left, I cannot behold Him;
He turns on the right, I cannot see Him.
¹⁰ "But He knows the way I take;
When He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
¹¹ "My foot has held fast to His path;
I have kept His way and not turned aside.
¹² "I have not departed from the command of His lips;
I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food."

Job 23:8-12 (NASB)

O) This is sort of a long passage, but it was hard to separate any of it, because it risks losing context too much. This passage really epitomizes the chapter, because it shows us that Job (still) had a deep longing to know the LORD intimately. He searched all around, but was not able to sense God's presence, but that did not stop his actions. He still had faith that, though he could not feel God's presence, God knew his presence. He drew comfort in knowing that his hardships may be a test from the LORD, because he had confidence he would pass the testing. God's attention, even testing attention, was a comfort to him, because he knew then that God was aware of his affliction. He valued the words of his Lord, and was obedient to those commands, and he kept His way faithfully. He was drawing comfort in the fact that God would see all of that, if he was indeed being tested (as he was, and as God did see).

A) How much do I seek the LORD? Does my life look like a man who is seeking something? It's convicting to read these words, from a man who would seem to have every "right" to throw in the towel and be done trying. It's not that it seems Job's testing is an excuse to reject God, but few would blame a man if his fervor for the LORD waned after so much hardship (losing his children, property, wealth, etc.). And yet, through all of that, it is still his desire to seek God. Then, when he determines God must surely see him, he has the confidence to say that he is glad for it. Because of the blood of Jesus, I am given great freedom in seeking my Father God. I am redeemed, cleansed from my sins, and given every right and reason to seek the LORD, but am I truly trying to have time with Him? Even more, am I eager to be seen by Him? I read His words daily in my Bible study, but am I just as determined to let myself be seen by God? I should have more confidence that Job, even, that God can see me - his confidence was in his obedience, my confidence is in the obedience of Christ Jesus. I need to make time to pray, making time to seek the God who made me.

P) Father, You are worthy of so much more than I am ever willing to give You! I confess that I have been lazy about seeking You, Father God. I want to repent of that, here and now, and make time to seek You out in prayer, every day. Let this mark a new beginning, Lord, that I make time to be with my Maker each day. And Father, let me be willing to be found by You - eager, even, to make myself known to You. Thank You for the gift of grace, that Jesus Christ paid for my redemption, that I may be reconciled, found by You. Let Your will be done in my prayer life. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.