SOAP 11/15/2014; Job 41:8-10

Today's reading: Job 41, 42; 2 Corinthians 1, 2


S) ⁸ Lay your hand on him;
Remember the battle; you will not do it again!
⁹ "Behold, your expectation is false;
Will you be laid low even at the sight of him?
¹⁰ "No one is so fierce that he dares to arouse him;
Who then is he that can stand before Me?"

Job 41:8-10 (NASB)

O) The LORD is using one of his most fierce, powerful, terrifying creations to compare to Himself... the crocodile? Verse 1 has a footnote that says, "Leviathan" could be a crocodile. I simply cannot believe that all of the descriptions the LORD uses are referring to a crocodile. Here is a list of some of the attributes of this creature:

- Skin and head repels harpoons and spears (v.7)

- Airtight scales that cannot be separated (vv.16-17)

- Sneezes flash forth light (v.18)

- Breathes fire (vv.19-21)

- Able to raise himself up (v.25)

- Swords, spears, darts, and javelins fail against him (v.26)

- Sharp underparts (v.30)

- Able to look at things that are high (v.34)

(there are other descriptions of the creature in this chapter that could be a crocodile, but not these)

Excepting that vv.31-32 seem to refer to Leviathan being in water, I'd say it could at least swim, if not also simply live in the water, the above descriptions sound like a very typical dragon! If the LORD was going for a terrifying creature, to compare to His awesome nature, would a crocodile really do it? I mean, even among creatures today, the crocodile isn't exactly the most fearsome. People wrestle crocodiles one on one... sure they are deadly, but people still do it successfully. You know what people never survive? Wrestling a wild lion (with the single exception being Samson, who had the Spirit of the LORD upon him). With so many other fierce animals to choose, and with all of the descriptions I listed above, there is no doubt in my mind that God is speaking about a dragon. The thought of fighting a dragon alone is truly terrifying (note v.10 says, "No one..."), and yet, God says no one could stand before Him, if not even able to stand before the might of Leviathan.

A) So, where does this leave me? I think there is a primary goal, in terms of application of these verses. Before I can get there, though, I need to establish an understanding of the aforementioned footnote. I believe there is a very particular reason that my Bible, my holy Christian Bible, the one written for those who already profess faith in the Living God - there is a particular reason that my Bible has this footnote. I do not think it is because there seem to be no dragons left. That is a surface-level explanation. If the Bible's authenticity and transcription (from Hebrew) was primarily done from a secular perspective, I could also see the reason for the footnote. But, why would Christian scholars reduce this majestic being to something so rudimentary? They already believe in what they do not see, so why not believe that Leviathan was real? For the same reason I would: to reduce the majesty of the LORD to something more bearable. If the LORD is compared to a dragon? Forget about it. I don't stand a chance. Even at my most prideful, I could never pit myself alone versus a dragon. With no escape available, I would immediately fall to my knees, eyes closed, and begin praying to meet my maker. In the same circumstances, against a crocodile though? I sort of like my odds. Don't get me wrong, I don't want to fight a crocodile, but I would fight it, if escape were impossible. So, what does that say about my view of the LORD, the Maker of these two creatures? If He is to be compared to a crocodile, maybe I stand a fighter's chance against Him. If He is to be compared to a dragon, I'd better get on my knees and start praying for mercy.

P) Father, Your glory and majesty and might have no accurate comparison. Even in light of a creature, more terrifying than any creature in our known world, Your awesome presence cannot be accurately appreciated. I repent, LORD, for my lingering pride and stiff neck. I am humbled by this chapter of Your words. Even still, I fear that I am not humbled enough. Replace my proud heart, Father, and humble me with Your love, so that I do not have to be humbled by Your power and wrath. Against You, who can possibly stand? There is no hope to encounter You and survive. And then You sent Your Son. I am so in awe of that grace, Father. In view of the gospel, I am tempted to forget Your fearsome nature. I do not want to pervert the grace You have given me, to think more of myself than I ought. Please continue to work within me, replacing my pride with humility. I know You do not change, and You still cannot abide haughtiness. Remind me of this powerful chapter, Father God. Remind me of Your fearsome nature, that I may remain humble. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 11/14/2014; Psalm 149:5-6

Today's reading: Psalm 149; 1 Corinthians 15, 16


S) "⁵ Let the godly ones exult in glory;
Let them sing for joy on their beds.
⁶ Let the high praises of God be in their mouth,
And a two-edged sword in their hand,"

Psalm 149:5-6 (NASB)

O) This is a pretty straightforward call to worship, but it presents a few interesting points. For one thing, it's a reminder to celebrate in the glory of God. Also, it calls us to praise the LORD, all the way until we go to bed. Last, and quite notably, it ties worship to battle, as we see throughout the Bible. It's important to remember, though, that we do not fight flesh and blood (see Ephesians 6:12), and we are now equipped with a weapon better than a two-edged sword (see Hebrews 4:12).

A) There is work to be done. There are some significant spiritual battles to be fought, and I have been idle on the sidelines. I need to engage. In particular, I need to start worshiping at home more, and then I need to be praying daily, with Kristin, using the Word as my God-given weapon.

P) Father, Your glory is amazing, and Your presence is freeing. I know that worshiping You will usher in Your presence, and I know that where Your Spirit is, there is freedom. There are significant spiritual fights to be won, Father God, and I want to fight them with You. I want to be faithful over the battles You have put in front of me, and not side-step them out of laziness, fear, or any other reason. Open my eyes and ears, so that I am aware of the fight that must be fought. Call me to worship, and don't let me ignore it. Call me to pray for, and with, Kristin, and don't let me ignore it. Don't let me ignore Your voice, Shepherd. Let Your will be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 11/13/2014; Job 39:22-25

Today's reading: Job 39, 40; 1 Corinthians 13, 14


S) "²² He laughs at fear and is not dismayed;
And he does not turn back from the sword.
²³ The quiver rattles against him,
The flashing spear and javelin.
²⁴ With shaking and rage he races over the ground,
And he does not stand still at the voice of the trumpet.
²⁵ As often as the trumpet sounds he says, 'Aha!'
And he scents the battle from afar,
And the thunder of the captains and the war cry."

Job 39:22-25 (NASB)

O) The LORD is speaking in this chapter, about the nature of His various creations. In this passage, He is speaking about a majestic war horse. It starts from v.19, and the when the passage about the horse ends at v.25, we get the image of a powerful, fearless, purposeful animal, that was also ready. The horse was immediately ready to answer the call to battle, and let nothing stop it.

A) There is a purpose, a calling God has for me. He created me with specificity. He created me at a particular time, in a particular way, with a particular reason. Understanding God's will for my life is important. Chasing after that will is necessary. I want to answer His call to arms (spiritual call, per Ephesians 6) with an immediate, "Aha!" Without fear or dismay, fully equipped, with urgency, I want to run into the fray. I need to make a battle plan so that I am ready to run when His trumpet sounds.

P) Father, You are a perfect Commander, understanding the battles that make up a war. I fully trust that You have the war won! Every victory is in Your hands, and when the dust settles, I know You alone will be victorious. I understand that Your eternal, ultimate victory does not depend on my actions, but I also know that You invited me to join You in the fight. It is an honor to know that I am called, and the battles are varied and broad. Open my eyes to see where the fights are, and who is the true enemy, and then let me fight for my King. I know that there are specific battles that are coming, and You want me to fight through them. Help me to take action now, to be equipped and ready. Give me confidence in how You have created me, and let me answer Your trumpet powerfully, fearlessly, purposefully, and immediately. Let Your will be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 11/12/2014; Job 38:34-36

Today's reading: Job 37, 38; 1 Corinthians 12


S) "³⁴ Can you lift up your voice to the clouds,
So that an abundance of water will cover you?
³⁵ Can you send forth lightnings that they may go
And say to you, ‘Here we are’?
³⁶ Who has put wisdom in the innermost being
Or given understanding to the mind?"

Job 38:34-36 (NASB)

O) Finally, the LORD spoke to Job directly (well, through a whirlwind [v.1]). This initial response was essentially a rebuke against these men, for relying on their own wisdom, trying to determine what God was doing. Verse 34 caught my eye, because I was reminded of the actual rituals of some older cultures, and how they would try to invoke rainfall. Try as we might, mankind still cannot cause rain (sometimes, we still have a hard time predicting it). This is a humbling passage, from a humbling chapter, from a humbling book. There is serious gravity in the LORD's words, here.

A) My next thought, after thinking of the rain dances, was of irrigation. Mankind developed a tremendous tool, learning how to irrigate farmlands across vast acreages. Even still, California is currently suffering one of its most devastating droughts in its history. But, considering all of the advances of science, and whatever we can do about vv.34 and 35, that still leaves us nowhere with v.36... That is the most humbling verse of this passage, to me. I am nothing, except what God made me to be. Even still, I cannot rely on what gifts He has given, because I am still from Him. I must rely on Him at the bottom line. He has given me tools, abilities, knowledge, and skills, but I must still depend on Him for the guidance to correctly use those tools. I must still seek Him for perspective, interpretation, and application of those things. That was the lesson Job missed, even if he passed the test.

P) Father, Your goodness, purpose, and ways, precede my existence. You have been exceedingly good to Your servant. In all that You have given me, even if I am passing my "tests" of faithfulness to You, I don't want to be missing any other lessons You are trying to teach me. Open my eyes and ears, Father, to understand what You have in store for me. Yet not my will, but Your will be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 11/11/2014; Psalm 122:6-9

Today's reading: Psalm 122; 1 Corinthians 9, 10, 11


S) "⁶ Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
'May they prosper who love you.
⁷ 'May peace be within your walls,
And prosperity within your palaces.'
⁸ For the sake of my brothers and my friends,
I will now say, 'May peace be within you.'
⁹ For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
I will seek your good."

Psalm 122:6-9 (NASB)

O) David began this psalm, recalling his joy to be going to worship the LORD his God (v.1). It was his great pleasure to bring the ark of the LORD into Jerusalem (see 2 Samuel 6), because he so longed to worship his God freely. It was his heart's desire to build a permanent temple for the LORD, but he was prevented from doing so (see 1 Chronicles 22:7-9). So instead, as we read in 1 Chronicles 22, David made preparations for his son Solomon, to build the temple. But here, in the above Psalm, we see another sort of provision. We see a prayerful provision. David prayed that the city would be blessed when he was gone, with peace and prosperity, so that the people and their God could enjoy the presence of each other.

A) This passage gives direct prayers that I can adopt. In the past, I have seen the biblical instruction to pray for my city and community, because their prosperity meant my prosperity. In this passage, though, I also see that when my city is blessed, the LORD is also blessed. When my church is free to worship the LORD the way we are meant to worship Him, because of the peace and prosperity we enjoy, then He is blessed the way He deserves to be blessed.

P) Father God, You are worthy of every praise and all worship. It is my heart's desire to praise Your name freely, and to worship You without hindrance. So God, please bless those who love Your church, and those who love Bothell, and Washington. May there be peace in my city and state, and prosperity within our homes. For the sake of my brothers and friends, may peace be within our community. For the sake of Your house, LORD my God, I seek their good. Let Your will be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 11/10/2014; Job 35:13

Today's reading: Job 35, 36; 1 Corinthians 7, 8


S) "¹³ Surely God will not listen to an empty cry,
Nor will the Almighty regard it."

Job 35:13 (NASB)

O) Elihu was continuing to reprove Job, and here he spoke an important truth. He asserted that prayers offered falsely, with a false reverence, or a false sense of humility, would not be answered. God is not going to answer a false cry for help. He will not answer when He knows we are not truly humble in our approach to Him. Otherwise, we are seeking Him in false pretense, without the acceptance of His sovereignty and power. If that is the case, we will not be ready or willing to obey Him after He saves us.

A) It is only with an open and honest heart, that I should ever approach the LORD. Whether in worship, prayer, or even studying the Bible, I must be sure that my motives are pure. I need to be sure I am seeing Him for the awesome, sovereign, powerful God He is, while still remembering His mercy, grace, and lovingkindness. I need to believe the words I pray and sing, or else the words I speak are less than futile.

P) Father, You deserve all of my focus and attention. I confess that I have not always approached You with the humility that You require and deserve. I don't want my prayers to be futile, but even more importantly, I don't want to be futile. I don't want to miss opportunities to be used, to do Your work, to hear Your will. Open my eyes to see, and my ears to hear, so that I can bring You honor and praise. When I have needs, pressing circumstances, let my cries to You be sincere, and hear them, Father God. Thank You for the reconciliation I have, through Your Son. Let Your will be done in my life, and through my prayers. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 11/09/2014; Job 34:2-4

Today's reading: Job 34; 1 Corinthians 4, 5, 6


S) "¹ Then Elihu continued and said,

² 'Hear my words, you wise men,
And listen to me, you who know.
³ 'For the ear tests words
As the palate tastes food.
⁴ 'Let us choose for ourselves what is right;
Let us know among ourselves what is good.'"

Job 34:2-4 (NASB)

O) Elihu invited the judgment of the older men who were with him, by asking them to test his words (and the words of Job himself). These men were all well respected, including Job, for their wisdom and sound judgment. They knew folly when they saw it, and knew wisdom when they heard it. Elihu knew that his age could work against him as he discussed this, unless he could get the men to focus on what he was actually saying, instead of focusing on him. The most intriguing part of this passage, to me, is verse 3.

A)  Some people are gifted with a very refined palate, able to discern and distinguish very subtle differences in taste. I am not one of those people. However, our taste palate is also developed to a degree. When I was young, my dad worked in a meat department of a grocery store. Occasionally, he would bring home a bucket of crab. I liked it, but my mom loved that crab. When my parents split up, my mom's crab boat was gone, and we also became very poor. My mom, still desiring crab, would buy imitation crab. I was roughly 10, so my exposures to real crab were few and far between. By the time I was an adult, I had quite the taste for imitation crab. When I met Kristin, she was fairly appalled at my taste for it, mostly because she said it tasted nothing like crab. I was in some disbelief, but my memory of real crab was faint. Then we went out to eat and I had real crab again. Then I realized that I had no idea I was so deceived. I had lost the taste of authentic crab, and had settled for something much less, eventually becoming convinced it was just as good. This is exactly how it is when we are exposed to truths and lies. The absolute best way to develop a taste for wisdom and truth, is to consistently be fed by the Word of God. When I am steadily exposing myself to absolute truth, then it is much easier for me to recognize other truth and/or wisdom that I hear, and I will more readily recognize lies/folly, because my spiritual "taste" for truth and wisdom becomes a delicate palate.

P) Father, thank You for establishing Your words of truth. I am given a tremendous tool and weapon, in the Bible. Let me read it with a reverence and fear, that remembers the awesome nature of Your words of truth and wisdom. As I study Your words each day, let me develop a "taste" for wisdom and truth, that cannot be deceived. I want to recognize wisdom and truth, and the things that align with Your Word, without having to second-guess motives or origins. Help me be sensitive and responsive to the Holy Spirit, so that Your words are alive in my heart and in my ears. Do not let me be deceived, and let Your will be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.