Day 27 - Come As You Are

Right... Before you all jump to judge at the lateness here are the excuses. 1. I was filming the new Impact ad during the usual blog writing time. 2. I've been applying for a job online which took AGES but would be pretty awesome if I got it, even if I'd probably spend all my wages getting there. 3. Blogspot has not let me sign into the blog for the last hour which is ridiculous. So nerr... It's not just lazy Jon for once. Onto business then (that one's for you Joely)

Today’s readings

Job 4:1-7:21
Matthew 19:1-15
Psalm 17:1-15


So we start today with this long speech from one of Job's friends. This guy called Eliphaz is pretty blunt in saying what he does to Job considering all Job's just been through.Basically Eliphaz says two things. Firstly that bad things only happen to bad people and good things to good people and secondly that God doesn't trust or care about us so there's no point asking Him for help... This doesn't seem to fit in with what we've read previously! Eliphaz says that God will help Job but only if he confesses to God all the things he has done wrong and God will correct his way of life. Eliphaz can't see that bad things happen not because of God but because of people and Satan's influence on them. The tragedies that have happened to Job have all been the result of people. His wealth was stolen and murdered, his sons and daughters died because they were partying instead of safe at home and his body is ridden with disease which we know now will have come from other people or living things.

It's weird because Eliphaz is saying great stuff here about how God will look out for you in the rubbish times and it's all true, but his reasoning isn't God doesn't just do this to those that are good. He has promised it to everyone and none of us will ever really deserve it. We just get it because of His grace. I think there's a lesson here about people that claim to talk about God and seem to know Him very well but have misguided viewpoints and judgements. Again, always come back to the core truth. Is what this person saying fitting in with what we know God to be; all loving, all powerful and just.

Job then replies sarcastically. He uses Eliphaz's claims that this is from God against him and shows how he still hasn't truly blamed or condemned God for his misfortune but rather suffered through the anguish and pain trying to bear it by relying on his faith in God. He also then tears into his friends for being so quick to condemn him after endorsing and supporting his lifestyle for so long. I had a bit of a smile at Job 7:1. That's very true though obviously in context, Job's got a little more on his plate than we have! Maybe we should be quicker to count our blessings than moan about our torments and trials. Job then starts pleading with God again and it's hard to read what he's going through here. But it amazes me that he doesn't get angry with God for doing it, just for not letting him die. He never blames God, just asks for release. I think that's an attitude that is very hard to have and to trust that the crap things that come in our lives aren't from God but our eventual rescue from them in whatever form it takes is all down to God's grace and salvation. What I love about Job is that I think our first reaction to something like this wouldn't be to blame God, but to stop believing in Him. Job knows God is there and never questions that. He knows God can't be behind the suffering either from how he questions why God would be bothered to do all this. I think it's so refreshing and challenging to see this example we have of ultimate faith.

Into the New Testament we glide and Jesus is talking about marriage. Now this stuff is complicated and can cause a lot of upset people. Jesus starts with divorce and says that ideally divorce shouldn't be an option. Personally, I wish He'd started with the bit after that. Jesus goes onto to talk about who ought to get married and how not everyone will be suited, not everyone will want to and not everyone will be asked to. This to me is the key thing. So many times today divorce happens because people haven't really got the firm foundation when they go into marriage. In Christian marriage this is God and having God centre of a marriage is only going to strengthen it because both people have a common ground. But then in secular marriage it takes time to get to know someone and you can't just rush into a relationship because you want one but need to be mature and reasonable about how likely it is that this person will value you and that you will be able to put up with them till they or you die. That's a big commitment which people just don't think about now. It applies to boyfriends and girlfriends too. Don't panic because you've not had a snog recently. It's not worth going out to find someone just so they will snog you and tell you how wonderful you are. Wait for God to show you the right person. Look by all means but don't feel the need ot test drive every model. It's just going to make it harder for you when you find the right one.

Then we get a short bit about Jesus talking to his discples about kids. Now Jesus recognised how valuable children were and this isn't something new. We'll see there are more than a few times in the Old Testament when children are praised as being important. But what's really cool is that Jesus tells us that Heaven is full of childish people. Now while that might mean people like me and Craig, I'm reckoning it's also referring to the sense of wonder and amazement that you get when you're younger. This bit's more for us grumpy grown ups but do you remember the last bit of mystery you solved? I think sometimes we can think we know so much of how the world works that we forget the raw and unmitigated excitement that comes with the unknown and the danger of God working in our lives. Let's all make conscious efforts to be that excited about God and the things He does in our lives.

Finally our Psalm today is from David and is after he has been saved from Saul trying to kill him. We'll get onto all that later in the year, don't panic. But what is interesting about this Psalm is that David has been saved but still is asking God to continue to protect him. David realises that his blessings have come from his devotion to God and just because the bad times are over for now, doesn't mean he should ignore asking God for help. It seems to me that there are three very different ways of talking to God here. Job is screaming in agony and is desperate for some relief from God. Jesus is telling us to come to God like a child would and then David is relying on God even in victory. So at every moment of our lives, we should be talking to God. Be it bad, good or confused; God is there to listen and answer our prayers. And by praying we'll be all the quicker to see His answer directly. Interesting stuff...

And that's your lot for today. Only just past midnight too! Yesterday's title is here and is well worth a listen folks. Today's is nice and easy if you're into anything with electric guitars ;) Questions, criticisms and comments welcome as always,

Jon