Job 5-11.22.22

Scripture

Job 5:8-9

But if I were you, I would appeal to God; I would lay my cause before him. He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted.

Observation

Job has had everything he ever loved or cared about ripped from him and he is attacked with physical suffering so severe that his friends can hardly recognize him. He refuses to curse or blame God. When his wife tells him, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!” he responds, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept the good from God, and not trouble?” But he is human and he is in agony and pours out his distress. His friend Eliphaz is not very supportive; sure that Job has sinned somehow and brought this suffering on himself. But, he does offer an important piece of advice: “But if I were you, I would appeal to God ... He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed ...”

Understanding

My God performs miracles that cannot be counted!

Do you need a miracle from God? Are you suffering mentally or physically? Is there something you have given up praying for because you think it will never come to fruition?

My first answer to these questions was, for me personally, everything is good right now. But as I dug deeper, I realized there are things I have given up on – not believing that He will ever answer. But my God performs wonders that cannot be fathomed and miracles that cannot be counted! I need to lay my cause before him.

Life Application

Lord, please forgive me for my unbelief. I lay my cause at Your feet. Help me to trust that even though I can’t see it, You are at work. And help me to be the person that encourages others to lay their cause at Your feet also.

-Debbie Dunn

Psalm 119:59-107-11.21.22

Scripture

Psalms 119:105

“Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.”

Observation-What does it say? 

The overall message of Psalm 119 focuses on the truth of God’s Word.  It encourages us through every generation to stay close and focused on His Word no matter what swirls around us in this world. Living in the freedom and knowledge of God’s ways, obeying His law above all else, and keeping in step with His commandments is the only way to truly live wise, strong lives.

Understanding-What does it mean?

A good acronym for BIBLE: Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth.

God’s Word is powerful, living, and active. It never changes because He never changes. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. His words are breathed straight from His heart to us, a love letter for life; not simply an old-fashioned, outdated book with no relevance for today. His Word is sharper than any two-edged sword.

Psalm 119 reminds us that God's very character is reflected through His Word, He is Righteous, He is Faithful, He is Unchanging, He is True. The opening 2 verses remind us that we are "blessed" as we walk in His Truth and seek Him with our whole heart.

"Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord. Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart.-"Psalms 119:v. 1-2

Life Application

Read God’s Word daily! It is life’s instruction manual.

When I was a kid, my dad would always encourage me to read my Bible. He would always say, “A chapter a day, keeps the devil away.” I always thought he liked saying that because it rhymes. But there is truth behind it. Staying in God’s Word daily helps keep me focused on how I should be living my life. It is a light to our path (like the verse I chose today)! So, I just want take this time to encourage you all to try some PB&J (Prayer, Bible reading, and Journaling). It is food for your SOUL! 😋

-Moses Gaddi

Psalm 119 - 11.18.22

Scripture

Psalm 119:37, 57

Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
    preserve my life according to your word.

Observation – What does it say?

King David pens not only the longest Psalm, but the longest chapter in the entire Bible. And the subject? God’s word. Love for God’s words, a longing to better understand God’s words, a passionate pursuit to immerse himself in God’s words, a commitment to mediating on and memorizing God’s words, a hope and trust in God’s words, a vow to obey God’s words.

Despite David’s passion for God’s words, verse 37 reflects his honest need for God’s help in avoiding empty and worthless things.

Understanding – What does it mean?

David longed to focus on knowing and obeying God’s words, but like all of us, he wrestled with worthless things that attempted to distract him. I’m not sure what it was for him, but for me it can be a number of things – tv, social media, games on my phone, online shopping for things I don’t really need. Like we talked about last Sunday, the struggle is real to keep our focus off treasures on earth that are in the end worthless, so we can instead invest everything to store up treasures in heaven.

I resonate with David’s prayer.

It reminds me of the plea in the old hymn, Come Thou Fount, “Bind my wandering heart to Thee.”

Life Application

David reminded himself a few verses later,

Psalm 119:57

You are my portion, Lord;
    I have promised to obey your words.

God, today I remind myself that you are my portion! Whom have I in heaven but you, and earth has nothing I desire besides you (Psalm 73:25). I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ (Phil 3:8). I am my beloveds and he is mine (Song of Songs 6:3)! Nothing compares to you. You are all I need. You are all that satisfies. May I be consumed with you alone!

Lord, I remind myself of the commitment I’ve made to make you not only my Savior but my Lord. Every moment, every breath, every penny belongs to you. Please help me, and help us, to live out the commitment we made to follow Jesus, forsaking all others. I give you my life once again today. All that I am is yours. Please turn my eyes away from worthless things and toward you. Amen.

-Levi Thompson