SOAP 11/06/2015; Psalm 120:6-7

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

S) "⁶ Too long has my soul had its dwelling
With those who hate peace.
⁷ I am for peace, but when I speak,
They are for war."

Psalm 120:6-7 (NASB)

O) In this song of ascents, lying lips are the source of anguish for the singer. It is unclear if these were the results political scheming, or some kind of personal attack on character, but the deceit is likened to sharp arrows, and it caused much woe. In the end of this song (which these verses are), there is no real closure, as there typically is with Psalms. In this case, there is a lingering restlessness. There is an open-ended form to this, because the problem was not resolved. The most compelling thing about these last two verses, to me, is the emphasis on time. "Too long" gives the impression that some short time is bearable. Conflict, lies, or opposing views can be worked out, resolving through discussion or negotiation. But when it drags on and on, without any progress, it is simply exhausting.

A) As much as anything, this warns me to be careful about engaging in confrontation. There are times when discussions are fruitful, but when it becomes clear that the other person(s) is not interested in peaceful resolution, I must be careful not to stay too long. When I have no recourse, then wisdom will have me seek God for refuge, sooner than later.

P) Father, You are the God of peace. I know that I should, as much as it depends on me, live at peace with others. I also know that there will always be people who simply hate peace. Please give me the discernment and discipline to recognize when I have engaged too long. Guide me resolve conflict according to Your will, and to seek refuge in You, when conflicts persist. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 11/05/2015; Job 29:2-4

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

S) "² Oh that I were as in months gone by,
As in the days when God watched over me;
³ When His lamp shone over my head,
And by His light I walked through darkness;
⁴ As I was in the prime of my days,
When the friendship of God was over my tent;"

Job 29:2-4 (NASB)

O) This chapter is a lament for times past. Job began the discourse with the above verses, and he went into quite a bit of detail throughout the rest of the chapter, describing a lot of how his life looked, before God allowed him to be tested as he was when he was speaking all of this. The notable thing is that, while reading through the chapter of hindsight, he never really mentioned a sort of self-awareness of the blessings he had, while he had them. That is, you get the impression reading the whole chapter, that he didn't know what he had till it was gone.

A) The opening verses here are haunting, when I go on to compare how Job was blessed, and I currently am blessed. Don't get me wrong, I do not have any of the prestige or influence, or affluence, that Job had. But still, in my life today, I am surrounded by a wife who loves me dearly, children who are healthy and like me. My family seeks God, together and individually (so far as the younger children are learning how). I have a good job with a livable wage. I am active in my church, and I'm blessed to be a part of many lives. With all of this, I can trace it back to see that God watches over me. His lamp shines over my head, and by His light I walk through darkness. I am in the prime of my days, right now, and the friendship of God is over my house... do I dare take any of this for granted? Obviously, under the grace of the gospel, there are elements that will not be taken away. The friendship of God that I have, the righteousness given to me through faith in Jesus Christ, this will not change. However, Job was tested because of his righteousness. He was not even tested despite of it, but because of it. Who am I, to ever presume to know what tests lie in wait for me? In an instant, God could take away my wife, my children, my career, my ministry; all of it could be gone tomorrow. Would that leave me as Job was in the verses above? Would I look back on today longingly, remembering when I felt the blessings of God upon my life so obviously? The only way I can avoid that same fate, is to strive to relate to Job's sufferings now, in the midst of my happiness. I must strive to more fully appreciate what I have, here and now.

P) Father, Your grace is humbling. Reading the story of Job, and realizing how quickly his test came upon him, makes me deal with the possibility that I could be tested in a similar way, any minute. I know that in Christ, I am promised reconciliation with You. The fact that the Holy Spirit is within me, brings comfort and peace such as Job was hard pressed to recover. Also, he was tested in literally biblical proportions. I would not think so highly of myself to ever imagine You might test me in the same way, to be such an example to countless people who may follow my life. Still, I know that tests and discipline will still be coming in my life, on some levels. I could selfishly ask that You not take certain things from me. But really, who am I to make such a request? I confess that everything I have is Yours to control. My marriage, my family, my job, my relationships, my ministry, my hobbies... all of it is Yours to do with them as You see fit. I only pray that I am faithful in the face of such testing. Find me faithful, Lord God. Help me to glorify You in every part of my life. And help me to more fully appreciate all of the manifested blessings You give me, while also realizing how briefly I may have them. Let Your will be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 11/04/2015; Job 27:3-4

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

S) "³ For as long as life is in me,
And the breath of God is in my nostrils,
⁴ My lips certainly will not speak unjustly,
Nor will my tongue mutter deceit."

Job 27:3-4 (NASB)

O) There are many ways in which Job can be seen as an example for holy living. Obviously, God saw him as righteous (see the beginning of his story), and that righteous way of life extended to many areas of his life. Here, we see Job proclaim and affirm his honesty. The Hebrew word life, here, can actually be translated literally as breath, and the Hebrew word for breath, here, can literally be translated as Spirit. In Hebrew, the concepts for life, breath, and spirit are all very closely related. With the way that Job presented his statement, it gives the sense that his honesty is almost by compulsion. That is to say, because the spirit/breath of God was in his nostrils, giving him life, then as long as he has life/breath, he can only speak justly, and can only be honest. Because speaking unjustly and even muttering deceit would be against God's character, and this same God is who sustained Job's very life, his breath, then there was no way he could, with that same breath-spirit-life, speak lies.

A) Honesty became a very big issue for me, when I submitted my life to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. I had lived such a deceitful life when I was rebelling against God, that it was one of the most stark differences between my life apart from Jesus, and my life with Jesus. In my marriage, and in my family, we place a very high premium on honesty. Without clinging to the truth, and in fact clinging to the Truth, every other part of my life will fall apart. Repentance and confession, sacrifice and compassion, teaching and serving, these all require truth in order to function. The way that Job presents the need for honesty, as a fundamental, necessary, axiomatic part of the very life within him, this is probably the very best way to explain the need for honesty. God gives me life, gives me breath. The Holy Spirit within me, gives me life and breathes into every part of me. So how could I, with that same breath, mutter lies or speak unjustly. If lies are every anything less than repugnant to me, then I should be alarmed.

P) Father, Your grace is upon me is readily apparent. I cannot abide lies in my life; they eat away at my soul. I confess that lies still try to creep in. There are still times, situations, instances however rare, when I am tempted to lie. I confess that I have crumbled under those temptations. Forgive my lying lips, Father God. Stoke the fire of Your Spirit within me, to purge me of lies that corrupt my heart. Let me lead my family in honesty, as an example of how You change Your children to reflect Your Truth. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 11/03/2015; Psalm 85:8

Today's reading: Job 25; Mark 13, 14*

S) "⁸ I will hear what God the Lord will say;
For He will speak peace to His people, to His godly ones;
But let them not turn back to folly."

Psalm 85:8 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Psalm 85

O) Context clues show us that this song was written after the exile, and very likely after the remnant returned to Jerusalem. It opens by praising God for forgiveness and restoring His people from their captivity. But, then there is still a request that God would turn from His anger, and revive His people, and grant them salvation. So, when we get to the verse above, what we see is a reference to a recurring theme throughout the Bible. God would save His people, but they would return to their folly. In this verse, the writer is showing us that it's not enough to hear what God says, or even to receive promises, if there is a return to disobedient folly.

A) This same kind of warning is echoed in James 1:22-24. I study the Word of God nearly every day. I love to hear what God the LORD will say, and of course I love to read about His peace to His people, but if I am returning to my own folly, then what benefit have I found for myself? I must not only hear what God will say, but I must submit to God as my Lord, to His Word as authoritative, and obediently follow Him instead of turning back to my own folly.

P) Father, Your words are life to me. I don't just want to know Your words, though. I need Your Word to change me, God. Help me to continue following You. Help me humble myself before Your instruction, and discipline me as a good father disciplines his son. As much as I am immersing myself in the Bible every day, let it continue to change me and bear fruit in my life. I don't want to be only a hearer of Your words, and someone eager to know promises. I want to have the wisdom to follow Your words, obediently conforming my behavior to Your will. Have Your way with me, LORD God. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 11/02/2015; Job 24:15

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

S) "¹⁵ The eye of the adulterer waits for the twilight,
Saying, 'No eye will see me.'
And he disguises his face."

Job 24:15 (NASB)

O) The context here, is that Job gave example upon example, of wickedness that has gone unchecked. It seemed to him that the eye of God was turned away from the injustices that had apparently run rampant around him. In that context, Job was making a point, contrasting his situation as a righteous man, to that of the unrighteous who seemed to see no affliction. The way he presented his examples, though, also make them useful as warnings about human, sinful nature.

A) The word adulterer there, is literally speaking of carnal adultery against a spouse. However, throughout the Bible there are comparisons made between God and His people, to that of marriage. The story of Hosea immediately comes to mind, as does the terminology of Jesus being the bridegroom and His church being His bride. While it is unfathomable, that I would go out and cheat on my wife, the unsavory truth is that I do commit a spiritual adultery against God, each time I choose to sin. In that way, this portrayal of an adulterer, lurking at twilight, believing he has the cover of darkness on his side, even hiding his face from recognition... this convicts me. I have been that adulterer against my faithful King. Seeing my sinful behavior in this light... this is the kind of expository truth that is described in Hebrews 4:12. I must submit myself to the conviction of Scripture, and let the Holy Spirit continue to be a consuming fire in my heart, to purify me of my sinful desires.

P) Father, Your faithfulness to me in the midst of my sins is humbling grace. There is nothing I can say, to thank You enough for this kind of love and mercy, but I will continue to try. I want to be faithful in our relationship, I want to be perfect and holy, just as You call me to be. However, I know that I will not be able to live in that righteousness, fully and completely, until I am brought into glory with Jesus Christ at the resurrection. Still, I want to persevere. I want to get better. I know that it doesn't mean You'll love me any more than You already do, but maybe it means I love You more than I currently do. After all, Jesus said that if I love Him, I will obey His commands. That is how I want to love You Lord, not with words or emotions, but will obedient works. Let Your will be done in my life. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 11/01/2015; Psalm 83:18

Today's reading: Psalm 121; Mark 9, 10*

S) "¹⁸ That they may know that You alone, whose name is the Lord,
Are the Most High over all the earth."

Psalm 83:18 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Psalm 83

O) This is a song of deliverance, asking God to destroy His enemies and the enemies of His people. There were people seeking to destroy God's people. They were boastful and conspiring with other people to come against Israel (maybe this was written during the time of Esther?). So, the singer asked God to answer this threat with destructive finality. This is fairly common among the Psalms. However, getting all the way to the final few verses, we see something somewhat unique. In v.16, there is mention of the people being destroyed seeking God. In the verse above, we this recognition, this acknowledgment of the LORD repeated. In the events when God moved at large, on behalf of His people as a nation, it was not at all uncommon for the opposition to realize their mistake on a grand level. Pharaoh acknowledged the LORD after the plagues. Nebuchadnezzar recognized the LORD with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. Darius recognized the LORD a short while later, with Daniel being saved from the lions. In the context of the Old Covenant at this time, the mercy of God was reserved for the people called by His name. However, the glory of God was to be revealed to all of mankind. What this meant, was that God's glory could be revealed in His lovingkindness and compassion toward His children, but to the rest of the world, the most common way for His glory to be revealed, was through His wrath, and through His mighty and outstretched arm on behalf of His nation, against other nations.

A) Reading through the Psalms can be a great encouragement, but sometimes it's hard to reconcile our merciful God, with prayers asking Him to destroy nations. But, the verse above really reveals the purpose behind songs written this way, at that time. The ultimate goal of my life should be that my Lord is lifted high. Jesus Christ is my God. The Most High should be exalted above all. That should be my goal. In the Old Testament, there was little room for any other way, but His justice to be poured out upon gentiles. However, with the New Covenant, the whole world can be reconciled to God through the spilled blood of Jesus Christ. Now, when I have enemies, I pray for them to be redeemed, not destroyed. Now that there is propitiation for their sins as well, they can be brought to a place of praising God themselves, when they can recognize the Lordship of Christ Jesus, not because of His righteous judgment, but because of His abounding grace and mercy to them, as well as to me, as well as to every repentant person. While the beginning of this Psalm might start a similar way if I was singing it now, the middle would surely be much different. However, in the end, the last lines would remain exactly as they are above.

P) Father God, do not remain quiet. Do not be silent, O God, and do not be still. Even now, LORD, I have family that is desperate to know there is supernatural help. They are in need beyond anything this world could provide. Father, please move in their lives, that they may know that You alone, whose name is the LORD, are the Most High over all the earth. Let Your face shine upon them, to save them. Open their eyes and ears, to see that it is You alone, who grants life, and You give it abundantly. Only let Your will be done, Father God. I trust in You. Let me be obedient to Your will. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

8SOAP 10/31/2015; Psalm 82:8

Today's reading: Job 22; Mark 7, 8*

S) "⁸ Arise, O God, judge the earth!
For it is You who possesses all the nations"

Psalm 82:8 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Psalm 82

O) The context here is a little bit ambiguous. For example, in the first verse, God is (literally translated) "in the congregation of God" and (again, literally) "in the midst of the gods." Then the writer goes on to speak about unjust judgments and bad ruling. When read carefully, it almost looks as though this psalm is about some kind of angelic beings, possibly even being called "gods" and the judgment that will come upon them. It is also possible, that the use of the word "god" in this psalm, is simply allegory, referring to men who rule upon the earth (after all, many of the ancient cultures claimed that their kings or emperors were deities. Either way, the final verse is possibly the most important. God will judge the earth, i.e., all of His creation. Also, God is sovereign over nations.

A) There are some things about God, about creation, about the supernatural realm, which will remain a mystery to me as long as I am confined to this side of eternity. Some speculation is fine, and can even draw me closer to God in devotion, as I seek to know His ways better and better. However, I don't want to get sidetracked about things when there may never be an answer I can really know with certainty. And surely, the exact context of this psalm will not determine my destiny, or my quality of life while I'm on earth. However, remembering that God is sovereign, and that He can (and very likely does often, if not always) direct the rise and fall of nations... remembering that God is the Final Judge... this certainly does make me focus on eternity. This makes me focus on my eternal security in Christ Jesus. This gives me a peace that cannot be threatened by famines, natural disasters, or wars. If I get nothing else from this psalm, than the reminder that God is in control, then I have still received an immeasurable blessing from it.

P) Father, You are the Final Judge. You are righteous and sovereign. You hold eternity, and nations, and life in Your hands. In the scope of eternal knowledge, which You not only hold, but You authored, I have a drop in the ocean. But, if I remember nothing other than the eternal security I have in Christ, and the comfort in knowing that You will justify and judge in the End, then I know enough. I want to fear You alone, and rest in the knowledge that I am in Christ, and Christ is in You, Father God. Let Your will be done, both now, and into eternity. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 10/30/2015; Psalm 80:19

Today's reading: Job 21; Mark 5, 6*

S) "¹⁹ O Lord God of hosts, restore us;
Cause Your face to shine upon us, and we will be saved."

Psalm 80:19 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Psalm 80

O) O God, restore us;
O God of hosts, restore us;
O Lord God of hosts, restore us;
These lines are the beginnings of vv. 3, 7, and 19. The second half of the lines are all identical, that they would be saved, if only He would cause His face to shine upon them. The verse above is the final verse of the Psalm. So, throughout the prose there is a build up of urgency, even in the repeated addressing of God. He is the only hope of His people. He is God, holy and righteous. He is God of hosts, mighty and sovereign. He is the Lord God, personal and loving. The imploring did not relent. The pursuit gained speed. The prayer ended on the final hope, that the holy, mighty, loving God would turn to them with salvation.

A) First, there are the truths about God's character, that I must continue to affirm. This is central to fearing the LORD, remaining humble, and living a life of worship. God is holy and righteous, the ultimate and perfect Judge, and He is Creator. The God of hosts is mighty, powerful, and sovereign; able to do as He pleases. He gives and takes according to His good plan. He establishes and destroys nations. He directs kings and is master of all His creation. The LORD God has a name, it is Jehovah. He is personal, loving, and relational. He sought me. He knows my name, the length of my days. He knows my wife and children, and our destinies. He knows every hair on my head, and cares about the things that concern me, because Yahweh is my Father God. When I remember all of these complexities of the LORD my God, His character that He revealed throughout history, and indelibly translated through the Holy Bible, then I will remember how important it is that He caused His face to shine upon me. In Christ Jesus, I have favor with the LORD God of hosts. He already has restored me through Christ Jesus. He already has saved me. Still, I must continue to seek Him, to find Him, so that I am aware of His face, which shines upon me, when I am found in Christ.

P) Father, LORD God of hosts, ancient, infinite, and uncreated You are. LORD God of hosts, mighty, powerful, and sovereign You are. LORD God of hosts, intimate, compassionate, and loving You are. There are times when my needs are pressing me. There are times when the pressures of this world mount, and my breaking point feels close, and the urgency to find You threatens to drive me mad. And then there are times like now. Right now, I am in a calm plain. I am in a peaceful pasture. You are still my Shepherd, regardless of whether I am running to find Your presence, or at rest at Your feet. I thank You for times of peace, but I pray that I remember who You are, deeply remember, when those struggles come. I have been in those storms, I know the trial that presents itself against me, when hard times come. You are so majestic and incomprehensible, but all at once familiar and comforting. In Your holiness, I want to know You more, and better. Open my eyes and ears, to know Your will, to follow You closely. In easy times and hard times, I pray that I am focused on You, and on who You are, and that I find Your face is shining on me all of my days. Let Your will prevail above all else. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 10/29/2015; Psalm 78:4

Today's reading: Job 20; Mark 3, 4*

S) "⁴ We will not conceal them from their children,
But tell to the generation to come the praises of the Lord,
And His strength and His wondrous works that He has done."

Psalm 78:4 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Psalm 78

O) This Psalm is a brief history lesson, from about Exodus through the reign of David. The fact that it was a song is not really a surprise, since that is a very effective method of memorization. This verse immediately jumped off the page, though, because of the word "conceal" that was used in the first line. There are many verses throughout the Bible, that instruct God's people to teach their children about God. For the most part, they failed that command. In fact, that basic failure can be seen throughout the O.T., almost immediately following Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. While it is very common that the Bible commands us to teach our children about the character of God, including His mighty works, this verse struck me as a little peculiar, as it sets the tone for the rest of the Psalm, which highlights the many failings of God's people. Part of the praise that the Lord deserves, certainly includes His grace and mercy toward His children. In reality, though, we cannot really share those aspects of God (His lovingkindness, compassion, patience, mercy, and grace) without being completely honest about the many failures of His people.

A) Certainly, teaching my kids about all the ways God has blessed me, personally, is easy. It's also pretty easy to teach them from the Bible directly. It is much harder, though, to resist the urge to conceal the mistakes of my past from my children. There are a lot of words that I can use to rationalize this, but in the end, it really is concealment. I'm not saying I should confess my every sin to my kids, but certainly as their understanding of the world matures, I must be honest about my sins and how I handled them, if I ever hope for them to handle their own failures well, at all. If I cannot model my own confession and repentance to them, then they are left with hypothetical practices that are difficult for them to actualize. I will not conceal my sins from my children, but will tell them about my failures and why I praise the LORD through them.

P) Father, Your grace and mercy, in view of my wretched actions, are the greatest cause for praise and worship that I have. That cuts to the very root of Your love, that You sent Jesus Christ to die for me, in the midst of my sins. The fact that I continue to sin, and grieve the Holy Spirit with my failures, and that You continue to show me mercy and grace as I confess and repent, is all the more reason for me to worship and praise You. Help me to be wise and discerning, but bold and humble, as I share with my kids the depths of Your love for me, so they will learn that same lovingkindness, compassion, grace, and mercy is there for them as well, because of the gospel. Be glorified in my life, in my obedience and in my sins, as I testify to Your goodness. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 10/28/2015; Psalm 77:2

Today's reading: Job 19; Mark 1, 2*

S) "² In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord;
In the night my hand was stretched out without weariness;
My soul refused to be comforted."

Psalm 77:2 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Psalm 77

O) There are a few principles revealed in this Psalm. Obviously, the first thing notable in this verse, is that the reaction to trouble was to seek the Lord. Spending the night in worship, with outstretched arms that refused to submit to ache, the writer would not allow himself comfort. This paints a picture of relentless pursuit of God. This is a picture of worship and prayer from desperation. This is an acknowledgment that God is the only help, the only comfort, the only hope. In the verses that follow, the writer reflects on who God is, and who He has been to His people, and that deepens the grief. It is not because God has mistreated them, but actually because God has been so good, and the writer feels the absence of God all the more. So, in the last line of this verse, where his soul refused to be comforted, we gain the sense that it is because all comfort, apart from God, is useless.

A) There have been nights when this is my reality. I know what it means to realize that my only hope is from God. I know what it means to realize that all other comforts will be useless. I know what it means to push myself, to physically continue to worship God. The beauty of that experience is that God never disappoints, when He is the focus and the object of my pursuit. When I seek God because I think there are missing things in my life, then I may very well be disappointed, since I'm not actually seeking God, but seeking those things via God. When I realize that my relationship with God has been distant (which, because of Christ, is always on the part of me not participating with God as much as I should), and so I realize that my soul is disturbed within me because I miss God Himself, then when I pursue God for the sake of being with Jesus Christ alone, then He never, ever, disappoints.

P) Father, You are holy. Your goodness is not like anything in creation, because all of creation is only a fading reflection of Your glory, at the very best. In the day of my trouble, I know that there is no comfort the world can offer me, that will ever come close to the comfort of Your presence. Closeness with You is what my soul desires, and nothing else will satisfy. Remind me of this comfort, of this singular satisfaction that You have for me in Your closeness. When I am troubled at night, restless in my bed, let me stretch my hands to You without weariness. When I am exhausted at work, weary from the relationships, demands, and stresses of the world, let me worship You from my heart, and redirect my attention to the One who satisfies, refreshes, and comforts my soul. Keep me, the way that only You can. Let Your will be done in every part of my life, including my devotion and connection to You. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.