Interesting knowledge, not only is 36 my favourite number (never known why and I don't mean in a lucky, charmed way. Just in a Maths geek way) but it's also around about 10% of our readings. I like percents. Makes me feel like we're getting places! Onto business then
Today’s readings
Job 35:1-37:24
Matthew 24:1-31
Proverbs 4:1-9
Phew... Elihu keeps going on today with only one pause for breath. I love that the Message puts that in there. But yeah, he goes at Job something rotten and it's hard to take because it's just a torrent of self righteous stuff coming from Elihu. Now it's not all wrong or right but it is all self serving. I found it really hard reading this section to actually spot and cherish the truths that Elihu says because I was so overwhelmed by his passion and how it just seemed to be an attack. God wants us to be passionate for His work but how should that be shown? There's nothing wrong with being aggressive as Jesus has shown but should we be trying to smash someone with the truth or challenge them? Elihu doesn't let Job even consider his words and the truth that they might hold because he is so convinced of his own close connection to God that he just keeps going. It's hard to tell someone that they're wrong without seeming patronising or self righteous but the best way to do it is to truly rely on God's blessing. Pray that you'll get both the words and the frame of mind. And follow Jesus' example of how he interacts with people who are doing wrong (EVERYONE HE MEETS!!!) Last point on Job for today, tomorrow we hear God speak and I'm eager to see what happens. Keep going folks!
Into the New Testament we shimmy (have I used that one?) and Jesus starts off with talking about the end of the world. Always an uplifting subject! What really speaks to me on this is how Jesus describes what will happen before He returns and it not only sounds like now but it sounds like every period of human history. This is important to me because it shows we have no idea just when Jesus will return but we can influence how soon it will be by actually speaking out for Him within our lives. Jesus says the end will come in verse 14 after His good news is preached throughout the world. We're doing a decent enough job of that but clearly this is our call to action. Who are you telling about Jesus?
Then we get our first indication of what Jesus' return will be like and it sounds terrifying and yet exciting all at once. I find it interesting that it is preceded by a time of extreme hardship. It's hard to think that God would allow suffering at any time but just before His Son comes back? To me this is Satan's last roll of the dice to make as many people give up as possible. But when Jesus does come back then we'll know about it. I always worried as a kid that we'd miss Him or maybe He'd already been but Jesus says here clearly that His return will be seen by everybody.
Finally we go into Proverbs and we get a nice little passage once again telling us the importance of wisdom and the pursuit of God in finding it. Not much more to say on that really.
And that's your lot. They've been getting shorter recently but with Exodus looming large I can't promise they'll stay that way! Yesterday's tune is here. Questions, criticisms and comments welcome as always,
Jon
Day 30! Disgraceful Jon!
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