Job 15-17

Job did not deserve the afflictions and challenges he experienced. God did not send them, but He allowed them. His friends thought he was guilty of something that brought the suffering upon him. He knew he was without fault, yet he suffered and maintained his integrity.

What got him through? He mentioned his Advocate, his Witness in chapter 16. This is, no doubt, a Messianic reference. Christ was getting him through.

We go through things that we don’t understand. Our relief is that Christ is going through it with us. He feels the pain. He mediates and moderates. In our weakness, His strength is revealed and made complete. What good is this relief if we don’t use it or need it.

In heaven, we will have stories of what we went through on earth and how Christ gave us the victory over our challenges. I’m glad I will have a few stories to share.

Job 11-14

In the midst of his trial, Job commented (complained) about the briefness of life. As a rich man, he perused the energy he expended to acquire his wealth and found himself unable to enjoy it because of his affliction. We know that God will eventually reward him for his faithfulness in his earthly life, but in the trial he lamented.

We are foolish if we put all our energy in acquiring wealth and earthly pleasures. It can all be gone in an instant. Job is close to learning that all that matters is your relationship with God … and who do you love and who loves you.

Make your investments in the lives of people.

Job 6-10

In Job’s misery, he voiced the plea, “If only there was someone” who could be a mediator, someone to remove God’s rod from me. Little did he know at the time that there was Someone Who would be his Redeemer. Actually, the whole book of Job points to Christ and exposes the pain of a life without Him. His comforters didn’t have the answers. In faith he declared “I know that my Redeemer lives.”

In all of life’s challenges God is prescribing an existence that reveals to us our need of a Savior. Every pitfall and pain just points to the relief that can be found in Christ. For one thing, Christ KNOWS how we feel. He was tempted in every point. He experienced every pain, because the Heavenly Father laid upon Him all the sin and affliction of the world. He carried it to Golgotha and let the entire world watch as He suffered for us.

Hallelujah, what a Savior.

Colossians 1-4

The book of Colossians establishes the centrality, identity, vitality, and preeminence of Christ Jesus. Paul corrects misconceptions in the early church about what place Christ held in the ongoing life of the believer. He makes it clear that the law won’t do it, what you eat or the rules you observe won’t merit salvation, and that the life in Christ is the critical component to pleasing god.

This book also emphasizes the perspective that the believer is to look ahead to the afterlife rather than being focused on the benefits of the present life. Chapter three, quite possibly my favorite chapter in the entire Bible, encourages us to be in love with the afterlife rather than this present life. This probably needs to be a daily refocusing in our life.

Job 1-5

From the book of Job we receive much insight on the behind-the-scenes spiritual world. Satan’s activity and parameters of influence are revealed. Angelic accountability to God is clarified. The impact of human suffering is addressed and God’s faithfulness to His People is reinforced.

Humans can rarely see the future. God always sees it. Because He knows the beginning from the end, His perspective is much different than ours. As in the life of Job, our sufferings and discouragement are completely seen and felt by God. He filters what we experience, but always has a view to its eternal impact upon us. The key for Christians is to press in to God and receive His strength as we go through trying times. We can always be assured that God will pull us through … if we can stand the pull.

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. [1 Cor. 10:13]

Esther 9, 10

When King Xerxes (Ahasuarus) finally saw how he had been deceived into employing Haman’s plot to exterminate the Jews, he openly supported the extinction of Haman and his sons and cohorts. They were all impaled on poles, a Persian form of punishment which could be used as torture and death. The Jews in turn received the king’s blessing to round up all accomplices in Haman’s scheme and likewise execute them.

New Testament Christians are exhorted rather to defer all vengeance to God alone. He makes it clear; Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. [Romans 12:19]

For one thing, we can’t see the entire story, only God can. Also, we selfishly see only our suffering in the matter. God can use our suffering for our good, and use the offense to more fully reveal Himself to our oppressor and bring them to repentance and salvation.

Esther 4-7

Wicked Haman proposed a plan to the king that would annihilate the Jews. Mordecai and Esther had all the Jews fast and afflict themselves for 3 days before Esther would approach the king to beg for mercy. God gave her favor to intercede for her people. The king reversed the edict and had Haman impaled on the pole he designed for Mordecai. God reversed the tables.

When impending doom threatens God’s people, they should likewise fast and pray that He would mercifully spare them. God can turn the fortunes of their oppressors and cause their devices to backfire.

What is meant for evil can turn to good.

Esther 1-3

Haman’s political ambition achieved a favored status for him with Persian king Xerses (Ahasuerus). One of his driving passions was his hatred of the Jews. Mordecai, Queen Esther’s uncle and guardian, refused to bow to Haman. This infuriated Haman to the degree that he coerced the King into proclaiming a death sentence upon all Jews.

In all the political strife we are witnessing today, Anti-Semitism crops up frequently. Sadly, some political leaders who decry racism out one side of their mouth turn and express hatred for Jews out the other side. Such a hypocritical scenario is discrediting.

Authentic Christians should “speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.” [Titus 3:2]

³

Neh. 13

Nehemiah rebuked the families of God’s people for allowing their children to intermarry with the children of ungodly nations. He even “Smote some of (the fathers) and plucked off their hair,” he was so incensed. He cited Solomon’s backsliding because of his many foreign wives.

Christian families should discourage their children from being “unequally yoked” in marriage with unbelievers. Yes, mates can eventually come to Christ, but damage to the spiritual destiny of the children may have already been done. The lifelong price to pay for marrying someone for the wrong reasons is costly. Conversely, the rewards for marrying a believer from a Christian homelife are off the charts.

David said, “I’ve been young and now I’m old. I have NEVER seen the righteous forsaken nor his seed begging bread.”

Nehemiah 11, 12

When the rebuilt wall of Jerusalem was dedicated with a special ceremony, a great musical expression was performed by singers, two choirs, and instruments. This great sound of rejoicing was so loud it could be heard far away. I believe the enthusiasm and heartfelt joy of all transcended the limits of artistic expression. Yes, it was no doubt done with excellence, but God loves a sincere heart above all else. Now, sincerity with excellence is over the top.

Paul encourages us to do everything “Heartily, as unto the Lord.”