Job Sixteen

When we have a friend that is suffering through one of life's many storms it can be difficult to help. I am reminded of that today we Job replies to his friends. They seem to be needing a lesson in compassion or at the least a lesson in how to support a friend when he needs community. But, I don't blame them for their actions because I have shared their shoes. And I bet you have as well.

Here are some things I try to remember when I have a friend that needs a friend.

1. I don't have all the answers.
So I try not to act like I do.

2. Sometimes a friend needs a good kick in the
pants. Other times they need a hug.
When in doubt.... give the hug.

3. They probably know that God is working all
things out for those He loves. maybe
reminding them isn't the best course of
action.

4. Love always wins. God's story is saturated with
it. So when you don't know what to say,
show love.

Heart and Soul,

BAG

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Job Fifteen

It seems the conversation is heating up a bit as the second round of discussions get started. Today we see a more forceful and intense Eliphaz. Even though he will be wrong in his assessment of Job's situation, I am reminded this morning that conflict will happen in our relationships.

All lasting relationships will experience strain at some point. It is my belief that if one can go into friendship aware that conflict can happen then the two have a better chance of growing closer through the challenge.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Job Fourteen

I think that it may be something that I ate, but to be totally honest with you, today's reading was pretty difficult for me to fight through. I am really excited about the end of this book, as God sets the record straight. On days like this I try to remind myself of

Hebrews 4:12
¹² For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Job Thirteen

I attempted to write about this chapter as if my take was an original thought, but it wasn't. The study notes in my bible put great words to what I was thinking.

Notes for 13:4

Job compared his three friends to physicians who did not know what they were doing. They were like eye surgeons trying to perform open-heart surgery. Many of their ideas about God were true, but they did not apply to Job's situation. They were right to say that God is just. They were right to say God punishes sin. But they were wrong to assume that Job's suffering was a just punishment for his sin. They took a true principle and applied it wrongly, ignoring the vast differences in human circumstances. We must be careful and compassionate in how we apply Biblical condemnations to others; we must be slow to judge.

-Life Application Bible Notes

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Job Twelve

Even during a great challenge he feels God is responsible for, Job acknowledges that God is powerful. I find it easy to start looking for flaws in God's plan when discomfort sets in. I justify my actions based on the possibility that I read the signs wrong or that "surely, God meant it to happen a different way." Job brings me both great strength and a challenge here.

In the midst of my storm, God is near.
In the turmoil of my day, God is near.
In the love that I feel around me, God is near.
In the hope that I have for my future, God is near.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Job Eight

Notes from Life Application Study Bible:

Notes for 8:1

Bildad was upset that Job still claimed innocence while questioning God's justice. The basis of Bildad's argument (the justice of God) was correct, but his idea of God's justice was not. Bildad's argument went like this: God could not be unjust, and God would not punish a just man; therefore Job must be unjust. Bildad felt there were no exceptions to his theory. Like Eliphaz, Bildad wrongly assumed that people suffer only as a result of their sins. Bildad was even less sensitive and compassionate, saying that Job's children died because of their wickedness.

Notes for 8:14,15

Bildad wrongly assumed that Job was trusting in something other than God for security, so he pointed out that such supports will collapse ("what he trusts in is fragile"). One of man's basic needs is security, and people will do almost anything to feel secure. Eventually, however, our money, possessions, knowledge, and relationships will fail or be gone. Only God can give lasting security. What have you trusted for your security? How lasting is it? If you have a secure foundation with God, feelings of insecurity will not undermine you.

Heart and Soul,

BAG

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Job Seven

Job's honesty with God should not be taken as being disloyal. Job is committed to God's authority, but is truthful enough to speak to God as a child would to a father. It is all right when we face trials and challenges to speak openly with God about how we are feeling. He is big enough to take our complaining.

One practice that I try to implement when speaking like this is ending the conversation with something like, "Even though I would choose a different way. I am confident that You are in control, so I will trust in You even if the storm gets darker before it gets lighter because You alone are God." By doing this, I not only tell God that I am submitting to His authority, but I am reminding myself that my hope rests in Him who has great plans for me.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Job Six

Verses 8-9
⁸ "Oh, that I might have my request, that God would grant what I hope for,
⁹ that God would be willing to crush me, to let loose his hand and cut me off!

Job appears to have had a thought of giving up. He wanted to be free from his pain and die. God had a greater plan for him. SPOILER ALERT: At the end of this trial God will restore Job to his previous stature and then some. If God would have granted Job's request, this story would have ended no later than chapter 5 with: And God granted Job's request even though God had so much more in store for him.

I believe the same has applied in my life and in yours. Many times, because of discomfort, we abandon the path God has chosen for us when the reward is waiting at the end of the road. Now, I am not saying we should seek out pain, believing in false hopes of something better. What I am saying is that when trials arise, be confident that God is near and is protecting you in order to give you something greater.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Job Five

Eliphaz reminds us today of a forgotten growth conductor... Pain. We live in a society in which we believe that all discomfort should be avoided and any trials that come our ways bring no hope. However, there is a different side to experiencing pain. Sometimes pain bring clarity or healing or even hope. Job had to hold on to this as an anchor.

Though Eliphaz was insightful, he was not absolutely correct. His notion that Job had sinned and that that was why he was experiencing the trials he was facing is a common misconception among most Christians. A relationship with God does not exclude us from a life of challenges. Everything we experience is part of a process that is leading us toward total restoration and completion (James 1:3).

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Psalm Sixty - Three

When I was growing up the whole praise thing through me for a loop. I thought, "If God is perfect then why would He have a need for us to tell Him how great He is?" Then it hit me, He doesn't need anything. We tell Him how magnificent He is out of love and appreciation. Love cherishes his recipient and is determined to display affection in word and action.

That is where David is today. He is telling God how amazing He is not out of obligation, but out of joy. Take some time this morning and do the same. You will be amazed what this does for the heart.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Psalm Sixty - Two

Psalms 62:8 (NIV)
⁸ Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Selah

The word Selah appears many times in the book of Psalms. I spent the early part of my relationship with God reading over words like this that I didn't understand. Doing this, however, robbed me of some great thought.

The word Selah means: to stop and ponder. Psalms were kind of the first formal praise and worship songs. They would be recited with instruments. People would sing, hum, do the na na na's, but when the word Selah would be said people would be silent and think about what they just heard.

Today, I would challenge you to read verse eight again and then stop everything and think about the words inspired through David.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Psalm Sixty - One

David calls out to God for security and assurance.
I believe there is a tendency in us all to anchor on false hopes and shifting sands. If you are honest enough with yourself, you have felt the sting of being let down because someone or something did not hold their end of the bargain. God has not nor will He ever come up short in His promises to you. He is a constant refuge, a faithful King and a loving Father.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Psalm Fifty - Seven

Take some time today to let these words wash over you.
Read it as the nourishment for your soul that it is intended to be.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Psalm Fifty - Six

Verse 3
When I am afraid, I will trust in you.

Fear is a very natural reaction for us. You don't have to teach it to kids, and as adults it has the ability to paralyze us from truly living. God tells us not to fear. Jesus reassures us that we have no need to fear. But from the beginning of our story, fear has played a significant role.

As I was reading this verse today, a thought occurred to me. (I'm not sure this is totally original and would put my money on the fact that someone has shared this with me in the past and I forgot about it.) We fear out of the uncertainty of the outcome. We don't tell our spouse everything because we don't know how they will take it. We don't take that next step in our careers because there is the chance that it won't pan out as expected. We don't fully trust God because, though faith is believing without seeing, we prefer the tangible over the mystical.

Fear is natural for the believer. I think that is why God addresses it so much in His Word. It can either shackle or liberate us - shackle us in the way that we live only partial lives, playing it safe - liberate us in the beautiful reality that when fear shows it's ugly face, we have one in whom we can place our trust, one who has overcome the fear that would so easily slow us down.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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