Job 2

Scripture Job 2:13 Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was.Observation Job has already suffered the loss of his family. And still there was more to come. Understanding Sympathize - to share in suffering or griefJob 2:11 When Job’s three friends, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite, heard about all the troubles that had come upon him, they set out from their homes and met together by agreement to go and sympathize with him and comfort him.We have all been able to tell when something is not right with your friend or family. “From a distance” they are acting or speaking  different, you can tell they are not their usual self. Job 2:12 When they saw him from a distance, they could hardly recognize him;Job’s friends were emotional “from a distance”  because they could already sense the suffering. They didn’t inquire how this happened or even try to cure him, they immediately began to weep, tore their clothes, and sprinkled dust on their heads. And when they finally got to him, they were willing to sit “on the ground” in the dirt with him. Not offering advice, or even encouragement. Just sat on the ground with him, sharing with their friend in his suffering. Sometimes I just need someone to share the experience with me. When my heart is broken cry with me, when I’m depressed feel my emptiness, when I am mourning imagine my loss.Immanuel, came down to where we are. He chose to experience what it was like “on the ground” with humans as a human. He came down and experience childhood, singleness, friends, loss, betrayal, hunger and thirst, physical pain, death...God chose to be “on the ground” with us.Application Are we willing to get on the ground and in the dirt with people. When we notice them from a distance, will you go closer?This year I was challenged by God to sit “on the ground” with those around me. I was challenged to follow Jesus’ example to live and “be” with the people around me. We can show the example of Jesus to people of a God that loved us so much to come down to us. God is with us even now, he never left. The Holy Spirit is here with us living and dwelling among us, comforting us like Job’s friends did with him. We can impact people's lives in a way that speaks louder than just an invite to church.We are the church. Job’s friends shared in his suffering for seven days without a word. And then the conversations began. It’s for a short time to sympathize with people before the conversations begin to talk about moving up from the ground. The closeness and trust we build with them just may be what moves them to better days. Be strong and courageous. The Holy Spirit empowers us to be brave. The holy spirit will guide and give us discernment. We share in the suffering and look forward to sharing in the time of joy that comes after! Philippians 3:10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings ...

Deborah Lee

Job 1

Scripture

Job 1:8

Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.”

 

Observation

This chapter is the prologue to a dialogue between God and Job. It sets the stage for the chapter following and provides a good background and context to Job’s anguish. It describes everything he owns, and everything that is important to him (his family). Yet in a few swift verses, Job loses all of this because of a conversation between God and Satan, where Job is basically a bet.

 

Understanding

How would God describe you?

This is going to sound very depressing and maybe even worrisome, but Job is one of my favorite stories in the Bible. Job’s words throughout the entire book are so poetic and moving to me. I love that despite losing everything he stands firm in his faith. With all that being said, I really got stuck on this verse. I got stuck on how God describes Job. He seems to have adoration for a man He’s about to bet on (that’s said in the most flattering way possible). It really got me thinking: How on earth would the God of the universe describe me? If Satan were to contact God right now, and say “I’ve been roaming the earth looking for a target. Any suggestions?” Would I even be on God’s list to His representative?

Here’s why I love the description that God gives of Job, and why I find it so convicting: God basically calls Job His number one guy. He basically says to Satan, “Take your best shot, you won’t even dent him.” I want my faith to be so strong that it doesn’t matter what comes my way. I want God to place every bet on me. I know that’s a dangerous ask, but it means God trusts me with the matters of His heart. It means He’s willing to risk one of His valuable children to prove a point to Satan. I want to be able to stick it to Satan.

Here’s my challenge to you: be the person that there is no one like on earth. Be so eternity driven that it doesn’t matter what comes your way. Instead of asking what you want written on your gravestone, start asking what God would say of you right now. Then live it out! Live it out boldly and courageously.

 

Life Application

I know that all sounds super awesome, but extremely impractical… but it isn’t. If we take note of Job’s living we can live in such a way that God would describe us as Job 2.0s. The first verse says that he “feared God and shunned evil.” That means we must live in a way that puts God first, and most of the time that means turning from worldly things (this helps in “shunning evil too). Job intercedes for his children regularly. Meaning, we are called to do them same for those around us. Lastly, and most obviously, Job praises and worships God through everything. After he loses everything, he drops to the ground in anguish and worship. No matter the circumstance choose to praise God.

Remember, your life may be difficult, but it isn’t as bad as Job’s! 

-Allison Khan

Revelation 18

Scripture

 

Revelation 18:8

“So in one day she will suffer great hunger, mourning, and death. She will be destroyed by fire, because the Lord God who judges her is powerful.”

 

Observation-What does it say?

 

The great city of Babylon, the home of one-world government and global trade, will think she is all powerful. Babylon will control powerful weapons and armies. But compared to the Lord God who will bring judgement upon her, Babylon doesn’t stand a chance!

 

What no earthly army can do, God accomplishes in just one day! From the angel of death passing over her, to this rich city running out of food, and finally the city being burned to the ground, this once proud city which boasted that they will never mourn, will grieve bitterly from its losses. 

Understanding-What does it mean?

 

Will the things I stand for and value, hold up against God’s judgement?

Babylon believed itself to be almighty. They believed that they had the resources, the power, and the support from the other nations that made them invincible. They stood against God’s ways and His people. Babylon built great wealth and strength in armies and alliances. It gave them a false sense of security. Babylon was a city built on its sinfulness. And although God’s will allowed it, God was about to bring His swift and righteous judgment upon her. God would make an example of the city of Babylon. The message will be heard and seen around the world...just how great and awesome is God.

What is my life built on? What’s my underlying foundation? Is it built on material things, that like Babylon, give me a false sense of security? Or is my life built on the principles of God and His ways. If God put my life’s work and held it up against the fire, would it wither away, or would it be refined by it?

“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.”

Matthew 6:19-20 NLT

Life Application

 

Focus on building His kingdom, not mine. The “kingdom” that we try to build on earth can be taken at any moment. Our hope and legacy should be built on a foundation that lasts forever!

The past 3 weeks, our family has dealt with illnesses and being displaced from our home due to the Tick Fire. When we were displaced, we had no idea what was happening with our home.  We didn’t know if we were going to have a home to return to or if we were going to be living out of bags for a long time. During packing for our evacuation, we couldn’t pack everything in our home, only what was most important and what we needed for survival. Also, I honestly didn’t care about all the “stuff” in the midst of packing.  All I cared about was that my family was safe and together. There was a moment of concern when my husband wasn’t home from work yet, but I still had to pack, stay calm for our kids and get them out, while praying that my husband would be with us soon.

When placed in situations where one’s stability is taken away, like one’s earthly home and health, you learn really quickly where your hope comes from and what’s most important. 

If you were to wake up and lose everything…your home, your health and God forbid even your family, would you feel secure? What if you lived your life everyday for His Kingdom purposes and for an eternal King/Kingdom instead?  How would your life look different? Even if everything was taken away, you would still be secure.

 

Recommended worship songs:

 

“Blessed Assurance”

 

https://youtu.be/Bsdl8DSZfRo

 

 

“On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand” 

 

https://youtu.be/Bd4reYgNEBg

 

 

-Moses and Michelle Gaddi