greater wisdom

Posted on December 29, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_0333Job 39:1-40:5

The LORD reminds Job of all those ways of the animal world – both wild and tame, that are beyond the scientific enquiry of humans.  There are some things that we are not meant to understand.  How God works through suffering is sometimes one of those things.  So, Job responds to God showing a wisdom greater than any of his well-intentioned therapists.  He shuts his mouth.

LORD, sometimes the only thing we need to know is that we do not need to know.  Help us to humbly submit to you, trusting that you have life under your control.

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limits

Posted on December 28, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_0332Job 38

The LORD comes on the scene in a dramatic and powerful way.  All this time, he had been waiting for the experts on him to finish their babbling.  Now he takes center stage and confronts Job with his omniscience and omnipotence.  Job knows that there are no limits with God.  He is grateful that he has a chance to remind his therapists of that fact.  They were guilty of limiting and prescribing the way that God would act.  We are never more in danger than when we think we have God figured out.

LORD, thank you that your ways are past our finding out.  There are no limits to you.

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wondrous works

Posted on December 27, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_0330Job 36:22-37:24

Elihu insists that God always works wondrous works.  the last thing that he expects is that God would sit on the sidelines and wait.  But that is what the God of wonders does for Job.  The wonder God is showing is the wonder of a committed spirit who stays faithful in spite of tragedy and pain.  Job stayed faithful to God because of who God is.

LORD, we trust you for who you are, not just what you do.

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myopia

Posted on December 26, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_0329Job 36:1-21

Elihu assumes that God only works in one way and for one reason.  He fails to see the big picture that revealed why Job was suffering.  He was guilty of theological myopia.

LORD, forgive us for being so myopic.  When we don’t know the whole story, keep us from publishing what we think we know.

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defending God

Posted on December 25, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_0328Job 34-35

Elihu insists that God must be in the right, therefore Job must have wronged someone for God to bring this suffering upon him.  He feels he must say this in order to defend God.  Believers need to be careful who we condemn.  God is capable of fighting his own battles. 

LORD,  give us the grace to trust your judgment, but not to assume that it is happening.

IMG_0358May you and your family enjoy the blessing of knowing Christ this Christmas season!

Jefferson Vann

Williamsburg, Virginia, USA

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is God speaking?

Posted on December 24, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_0321Job 33

Elihu spoke calming words in spite of the fact that he was angry at everyone.  He wanted Job to see his calamity as God’s attempt to rescue him.  God speaks through many means, and sometimes he uses misfortune to get our attention.  But Elihu was wrong.  Job’s suffering was not the voice of God.

LORD, forgive us for assuming that you are trying to speak to us in every misfortune.

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having to say something

Posted on December 23, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_0320Job 32

Elihu enters the conversation as a young man who is frustrated.  His elders have let him down.  He thought for sure that their age (and their apparent good standing before God) would break Job of his stubborn refusal to honor God by repenting.  So Elihu feels forced to say something.  He should have had something to say.

LORD, when there is nothing to say, give us the wisdom to shut up.

Posted in discernment, genuineness, Job, wisdom | Tagged | 1 Comment

trial by implication

Posted on December 22, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_0319Job 31

Job’s therapists had not brought formal charges against him, but he fully understood their implications.  In his final appeal, Job answers those implied charges:

 

  • marital unfaithfulness – not guilty (1-4)
  • theft of conspiracy to steal – not guilty (5-12)
  • criminal negligence – not guilty (13-23, 31-32)
  • idolatry  – not guilty (24-28)
  • secret sin – not guilty (29-30, 33-34)
  • abuse of power – not guilty (38-40)

Job asked for the indictment. He wanted to prove himself guiltless.   But the adversary would rather accuse by implication rather than face the overthrow of his lies. 

LORD, when people we know face trial by implication, help us to stand by our friends instead of joining the crowd against them.

Posted in faithfulness, friends, idolatry, integrity, Job, love | Tagged | 1 Comment

honest to God

Posted on December 21, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_0318Job 30

What we hear in this chapter is the prayer of a man who is used to being honest with his creator.  He has been humbled and has suffered unjustly and he is not just sitting around quoting worship songs.  He is disappointed, and that is OK.  God is a big guy. He can take it.  Our Father would rather hear our honest complaints than the highest praise coming from an insincere heart. 

LORD, thank you for listening when we vent.  Thank you for hearing how we feel, and still caring for us.

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the good old days

Posted on December 20, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_0313Job 29

Listening to Job describe the kind of life he had lived, it is not hard to understand how much of a temptation he had to do as his wife had suggested: curse God and die.  But Job remained faithful to the God who allowed him to lose it all.  Job understood that even though he had lost all the power, wealth and influence that anyone could want, he had not lost his relationship with God.  Yes, he regrets what he lost, but he stays true to himself.

LORD, give us the wisdom to hang on to you, no matter what we might lose.

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