Good heavens! I'm going to get a blog up before 6 on a weekend!! O frabjous day indeed! We've been tearing out the carpet from my front room today. Lots of fun. In fact I've been quite the man mountain what with shifting sofas and cabinets, literally having three children hanging off me this morning whilst I tried to talk to their mother, tearing up and then hefting carpet around. I'm like some sort of machine today despite my lack of sleep! Onto business then
Today’s readings
Job 1:1-3:26
Matthew 18:10-35
Psalm 16:1-11
Ok. Let's be frank for a minute. Genesis was confusing in places because a lot of it can be interpreted differently and it's a case of finding the meaning and truth within the words. Now Job is going to be challenging for different reasons. As we progress through Job we'll be reading a lot of sorrow and hurt but what I think is most important before we start is to remember our key truths. God loves His creation and will always honour His promises to us. Through the worse times, God is still there and He never leaves Job, even if the bad stuff is happening.
The first thing that jumps out at me about Job is how he was so conscientious for himself and for his children. He'd devoted his life to honouring God himself and for his children too. When we think about the odd relationships we've seen so far in Genesis, Job really stands out as a Dad of the Year contender. Then what's interesting to me is that God communicates with Satan and in a way outwits him. Satan dares God to remove Job's wealth and blessings but God tells Satan to do what he wants. I think that this is because God will always be in control and if it is needed, He can counteract Satan at any time.
Now we sing in church sometimes about how we'll praise God's name in the tough times and the dark times. Well Job's first reaction to losing all his wealth and his children is to bless God's name and God's wisdom. WOW. Seriously, what an amazing thing to be able to do. Now I'm guessing he had a fair bit of angst and sorrow before he worshipped but his first port of call is to rely on God. What amazing faith Job has here. I'd love to be able to replicate this and I can think that the only way Job can is by living his life so close to God initially. If you're used to God being there in the God, He's so much easier to reach in the bad. I wonder how many of you who have children would be able to trust God at all if something happened to one of yours. It's just not something you ever want to contemplate, yet I would think parents should be rejoicing and thanking God for their children daily. They are a blessing from Him and are as much His children as we are. We've no more power over them than any other person. God loves them and cares for them and will call them back when He knows it is right. Tough stuff to read this is!
Then chapter 3 is one big lament from Job. There're loads of things that he says here and I'm not going to break them down. Question if you want to though! What I do find interesting though is that Job is cursing at last but he's cursing himself and his own existence. I don't think Job thinks that it is his fault but rather that he realises God is in the situation but can't see where and not existing for him would give him more peace than trying to discern God's love and will in the situation. To me this is a great passage as it shows that sometimes it is hard to see God's will and hand in the situation but that ultimately, He is there and He is taking control, just in His perfect time.
Into the New Testament we soar. Jesus continues to talk about our attitudes with God and each other and this time is dealing with forgiveness and conflict. The first part of today's reading is an excellent bit of advice for interpersonal relationships, regardless of if they're with Christians or not. If someone you know upsets you then confront them calmly, if they don't care and it's still important to you then take someone you both respect to talk it out. It's all common sense! There's also a repitition of Jesus saying a yes on earth is a yes in heaven but I think He's clearer here, explaining how this is about how we talk to each other and that there is someone who hears us and ultimately will judge us on our interactions.
But don't panic! Yes we will be judged and rightly so. But what Jesus goes on to talk about it forgiveness and how God wants to forgive us from our sins. There is a catch and that's that we act like Him, or in fact be little Christs as John so ably puts it! By living the Christian life and not seeking revenge and recompense we receive the greatest gift of all!
Finally our Psalm today is another David one. And David is backing up our two passages here. First he sings about how God is the safety in his life and just like Job, he shelters and relies on the truth that God loves him even when he feels low. This is the most important thing you can practice doing guys. Daily you can thank God for always loving and caring for you. Then he sings how he has won the ultimate victory and will be in heaven one day thanks to God's grace and that same forgiveness gives him nothing to fear in death. Hallelujiah!
And that's your lot for today. Yesterday's song is here and is annoyingly brilliant. Today's however is one of my all time favourites and I'd recommend a YouTube of it while you read the blog. Questions, criticisms and comments welcome as always
Jon
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