Here is what is striking me today...first a summary of Job as told by Barnes and noted by Bennett in her study guide..then the stuff that struck me.
summary of Job:
"A great and good man falls. His comforts all depart. He sinks to the lowest degree of wretchedness. To explain this, and all kindred subjects, his own mind is taxed to the utmost, and four men of distinguished sagacity and extent of observations are introduced--the representatives of the wisdom of the world--to explain the facet. They adduce all that they had learned by tradition, and all that their own observation had suggested, and all the considerations which reason would suggest to them; but all in vain. They make no advances in the explanation, and the subject at the close is left as dark as when they began. Such an effect, and such a train of discussion, is admirably fitted to prepare the mind to welcome the teachings of revelation, and to be grateful for that volume of revealed truth which casts such abundant light on the questions that so perplexed these ancient sages."
stuff that is striking me:
"Job and his four counselors lived before most of the Bible had been written. You and I, however, live with the revealed truth that Jesus Christ is our mediator and our ransom, and that He has conquered death. We have access to God's entire written Word in our own language."
me:
so why is it that i still use reason and logic to comfort? God's word is the only Word that is truth, that holds water, that stands..so why do I bring my own wisdom or my own observation as tools to rely upon when comforting myself and others, if God's tools have proven? I know that all people have a hole the size of God in their souls that yearns to be filled and that only God can fill..yet, i still am leery or worried that His word won't be good enough.
Oh, me of little faith...the core issue is thinking that I know better than God. Lord, help me to be in your Word so that I have tools that hold to offer myself and others who are suffering.
God:
Proverbs 3:1-8
but keep my commands in your heart,
2 for they will prolong your life many years
and bring you peace and prosperity.
3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.[a]
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.[a]
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the LORD and shun evil.
8 This will bring health to your body
and nourishment to your bones.
fear the LORD and shun evil.
8 This will bring health to your body
and nourishment to your bones.
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