To me this warns us to be mindful of what God wants of us. We are his creation, his children and as such we should listen to our father. We expect this of our children why should we think God expects differently. We should also be an awe of the great power God has. In fact if we really think about his power we should do everything we can do obey his laws. I think the trouble comes from us trying to follow our own paths and not the one God has planned for us.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Job 26
I like how this starts with Job being sarcastic to Bildad's advice from the last chapter. Bildad was not help and Job lays it out for him. Job goes on to explain to Bildad that God is in charge of everything. He does not have to put a lot of effort into his work; 'with one breath he clears the sky', but we should be mindful of God's wrath 'Whatever would we do if he ever raised his voice?'
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Two of the last three Sabbaths, we've had young families from church over to our home for lunch (whoever would like to is welcome to come over). As the kids play together, we talk about life and faith and such. I will never forget the Toby Mac lyric, "I gave to you a son so you could know the father's love for you." Parenting is a Christian vocation.
ReplyDeleteIn Confirmation, as we go through Luther's small catechism, we are told time and again to fear and love God. I am learning that this is tied into the saint/sinner thing. When I am loving God and my neighbor as much as I love myself, when I am living into the kingdom and helping heaven come to earth, life is good. When I am selfish and only looking out for #1, I quickly realize that I am a maggot (God is sovereign). I am not worthy of this calling in that moment. I've been distracted by something shiny. I need to fear God. The almighty smiter could easily smite me.
Either way, God is good...all the time. And all the time...God is good.
I'm just not always good or rested or worth being around. I'm human, but I have the divine spark in me. So do you.
We had a great "use of space" meeting yesterday. I'm meeting with the mayor this afternoon. Exciting things are in store for Faith as we do more outreach, effectively ministering/equipping the saints for outreach, minimizing mortar (staff, maintenance, and utility costs), so that we can maximize mission.
The Father (and mothering Holy Spirit) is trying to raise us up to be more like our brother Jesus. This is the way he rolled: no mortar, all ministry and mission.
I too chuckled at Job's sarcasm. To be as beat up as him and still find a way to be funny is a real testament to his character!
ReplyDeleteI think that one of the reasons God chose Job to be the focus of Satan's test was that God knew Job could withstand the weight of the test and that his faith would not fail him. The proof seems to be that Job could endure his trials and maintain his sense of self and his love and trust in God even when his "friends" think they are being helpful, when they are not. In my daily life I must sort and organize information, materials, people and tasks in a constant cycle of activity. If I fail others around me will fail and the people who employ (pay) us will not be happy. The redeeming knowledge is that God loves me and that by his grace I have been saved. As I work through each day and the various daily problems present themselves I stop, close my eyes, take a deep breath and focus on God; He always lets me see the answer and move on. My trials are not Jobs trails, praise God.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed Job's sarcasm toward his "friends".
ReplyDeleteWhat a character Job is to be flipping off these jerks. He has a deep and unrelenting faith in God. Whatever circumstances have befallen him Job knows God is all powerful.