There are two passages assigned for today! SCRIPTURE: Psalm 56 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: They are always twisting what I say; they spend their days plotting to harm me. They come together to spy on me- watching my every step, eager to kill me. [Psalms 56:5-6] When the leading priests and teachers of religious law heard what Jesus had done,…
retreat!!!
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 55 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Oh, that I had wings like a dove; then I would fly away and rest! I would fly far away to the quiet of the wilderness. [Psalms 55:6-7] In battle, the word ‘retreat’ is negative; it is seen as giving up, running away. But in spiritual warfare, retreat is a good thing; it…
before He helps me!
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 54 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: But God is my helper. The Lord keeps me alive! [Psalms 54:4] David is in hiding from King Saul, who wants to kill him; David prays this prayer after the Ziphites betray him to Saul. Were these the words he prayed after God rescued him, or what he prayed while he was still…
struggling faith
SCRIPTURE: Job 42 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes. [Job 42:5] During his hardship, God seemed absent to Job; everything he believed about God was put to the test. Many of us, like Job, have beliefs about God that do not always fit with life…
God’s leviathon
SCRIPTURE: Job 41 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Nothing on earth is its equal, no other creature so fearless. Of all the creatures, it is the proudest. It is the king of beasts. [Job 41:33-34] In this conversation, God uses the largest beast known at the time [the behemoth or leviathon, Job 40:15, Job 41:1] to show His own greatness and our smallness….
God’s critics?
SCRIPTURE: Job 40 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Then the Lord said to Job, “Do you still want to argue with the Almighty? You are God’s critic, but do you have the answers?” Then Job replied to the Lord, “I am nothing—how could I ever find the answers? I will cover my mouth with my hand. I have said too…
the intelligent designer
SCRIPTURE: Job 39 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Do you know when the wild goats give birth? Have you watched as deer are born in the wild? Do you know how many months they carry their young? Are you aware of the time of their delivery? [Job 39:1-2] Is it your wisdom that makes the hawk soar and spread its wings…
when God questions me
SCRIPTURE: Job 38 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them. Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you know so much. [Job 38:3-4] Finally, after extended controversy between Job and his friends, we now get to God’s response. But…
with deepest, tenderest fears
SCRIPTURE: Job 37 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: We cannot imagine the power of the Almighty; but even though he is just and righteous, he does not destroy us. No wonder people everywhere fear him. All who are wise show him reverence. [Job 37:23-24] I have to admit it, I like much of what Elihu has to say; his reminder about…
befriend… not defend!
SCRIPTURE: Job 36 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Let me go on, and I will show you the truth. For I have not finished defending God! [Job 36:2] Does God need to be defended by us? I often think about this when I hear about people or religions that impose punishments against people who speak against their God or their faith….