fI

JTHE CYNICJob 1:6-12

"Doth Job fear God for nought?" This question was asked by

Satan, the Cynic. The safest way to slander is by a question.

If one make~ a false assertion about another, he may get into

trouble, but by asking the right kind of question he may be equally

damaging to his victim and at the same time play safe. Satan

being a cynic does not believe in goodness, either his own or

that of another. By this question he is telling God how blind He

is in thinking that Job is good. Satan himself is not so easily

taken in.

We pray Thee, Lord, to increase, I

out ~aijh hoyh in Thee and in our

fellows.

, ...:~, .

VICTOHIOUS SUFFERING

Job 1:13-22

"The Lord gave and the Lord hath

taken away; blessed by the name of the

Lord." This is not the shout of a Fresh­

man in the school of faith. It may be easy

enough to praise God when tithe sea of life

issmooth and every moment jeweled with a

joy." But it is quite different when the

tempest is bursting upon us and is sweeping

away all that we hold most dear. What a

mighty faith it took for this man, standing

amidst the ruins of so much that he held

priceless to shout; "Blessed b;;the name of

the Lord. rr

Grant us, Lord, so to knQw

Thee that we shall trust Thee,

not only in the sunshine but also

in the shadow s •

Amen.

AN UGLY LIEJob 2:10-10

L~

"All that' a man hath~ he give for

his life." TooJoften this is quoted as authen­

tic scripture. In reality this is one of

Satan's qgliest lies. It is true that all

that Some men have will they giV~eir lives.

During the stress of this war every nation has

had its quislings. But always there are others

who possess values that they ho~d far dearer

than life. In fact the man who has no values

that are worth more than his own life is poor

indeed. It is not such poverty-pinched souls

that help to enrich the world. All the progress

that has come to our world has come at the

hands of those who possess something more price-

less than life.:t

We thank Thee, Lord, for those

who .possess treasures for which they

would gladly die.

Amen.

3

FRUITFUL FEARJob 3:20-26

"For the thing which I greatly

feared has come upon me." Was there a con-

nection between Job's fear and his disaster?

It would seem so. But whether this was true

In~his dase or not, it isooften true in ours.

Sometime &go we had a guest in our home who

"enjoyed" bad' health. Her chief indoor sport

was to eat something.that she was afraid would

disagree with her, then spend the remainder

of that day fearing that it had disagreed.

What she feared 'almost always came upon her.

To put 'our fingers fearfUlly upon our pulse

either ph~sically or spiritually is a sure

road to trouble.

We pray Thee, Lord, to save us

from 'our foolish and crippling

fears.

Amen.

..

BRACING WORDSJob 4:1-11

"Thy words have upholden him that

was falling." "Your words hav.e kept men

on their teet," is Moffatt's translation.

There are word.s tha t strengthen and words

that weaken. We have all spoken such words.

We have all had ~oth kinds spoken to us.

When I remember the new strength and courage

that have come to me through the bracing words

of a friend, I wonder that I do not employ

such words more lavishly. Some high services

are beyond our ability, but of everyon~ who is

willing, this might be said: "Your words

have kept men on their feet."

Grant us, 0 Lord, to s,eak words

that strengthen and build up rather

than those that weaken and tear down.

Amen.

ONE SOURCE OF TROUBLEJob 5: 1-11

"Yet man is born into trouble, as the

sparks fly upward." I think Moffatt gives

the author's real-meaning by this translation:

"Man brings trouble on himself as surely as

the sparks fly upward." Generally speaking,

this accounts for most of our trouble. By

our own sins we bring it unon ourselves. But

while this acoounts for most of our trouble,

it does not account for all of it. There are

some who suffer not because they are so bad,

but because they are so good. Jesus was such

a man. "Yet the fact remains that most of

bring our troubles upon ourselves.

Save us, Lord, from blaming Thee

for the ills that we bring upon

ourselves.

WHY BE PATIENT?Job 6:1-1)

"What is before me that I should be

patient?" (Moffatt) This is a desperate

question wrung from the tight lips of pain.

Job is in agony now~ He sees nothing but

more agony in the days ahead. Why not crash

and give over altogether? What is there

ahead for him. or for any other sufferer whose

every breath seems destined to be a breath of

pain? Well, God is ahead, ever and always.

Also, H~ is ever present and ready to under­

gird with His everlasting arms, I am thinking

of one now whose agony is constant and terrible.

Yet hers is about the most radiant and patient

~ace into which I have ever looked. She is

patient because she believes in God.

When our blackest hours are

up.on us, 0 Lord, grant us the

patience that is born of faith in

Thee.

.Amen.

...

THE DUTY OF A FRIENDJob 6:14-21

"Friends should be kind to a desparring

man or he will give up faith in the Almighty."

(Moffatt) How often is this the caset How

many too have been won to the faith by the

kindness of another who was a believer!

"Thy God shall be ffiJi God," pledged Ruth in the·

long ago as she clung to Naomi. Why so?

She is simply saying, "If your God has the same

gentlemess and kindness that you have, only

raised to the infinite, then He shall have my

heart forever." When I reali ze how much the

faith of others depends upon my kindness, I

wonder ~hat I am not more kind.

Jesus, Master, grant us the

love that suffers long and is

~ind.

Amen.

0.

THE GREAT SpyJob 7:11-21

t'If I sin, what harm is that to Thee

o thou spy upon manking'?rt (Moffatt) This

is a shocking ~uestion. Poor tortured Job

has co~e to look upon God not as a loving

Father but as a cruel spy. Almost all of

us have felt like that at one time of another.

But God never spies upon us. He is a loving

friend ever looking for the best as good friends

do. He rejoices over every upward look, ever~

slightest battle against evil. But he sees our

sin and suffers;; in it because He loves us and

because He knows the harm that sin will work,

both to ourselves and to our fellows.

Help us, Lord, always to be sure of

Thy love.

Amen.

..

STUPI}j PREACHING

Job 8:1-7

"Thy children have sinned•••and he cast them. away."

These friends of Job know all the answers. They are sure

that good men always prosper while the wicked go to the wall.

If any man SUffers, therefore, there is one easy explanation­

that man has sinned. All Job's children have just been swept

away by a storm. The reason is evident, they were paying

the penalty of their sin. But such an explanation is just

as false as it is cruel. Go out with the conviction that

none ever sutter save the guilty and lite will tear your

complacent faith into shreds.

Save us, Lord, from the toolish faith that God always

J:8ys in dollars and cents for being good.

A1Den.

••

A HALF TRUTHJob 9:16-26

"He destroyeth the perfect and the wicked." Job is

denying that only evil men suffer. He claims rather that God

destroys b~less and bad men alike. This is only partly

true. All men suffer whether good or bad. But the man who

lives within the wi.ll of God, avoids much of the suffer-

ing that all evil men must bear. Then, too, the goodman

does not have to suffer alone. Therefore, while godliness

does not exempt us fro.;all pain, it is still"profitable

unto all things, having the promise of li'f'e that new is,

and of that which is to come."

Help us, Lord, to realize that Thy supreme gift is

not an easy way but grave aufficient, whatever life

may bring.

Anen.

A SANE QUESTIONJob 10:1-9

"Remember, I beseech Thee, that Thou hast made me as

clay; and wilt Thou bring me unto dust again?" Such a

procedure would seem unreasonable. No sane potter would

give his best to the making of a vase only to wreck it.

.. 1.-.God has invested His best in the making of us. Vie are

both the work of his hands and the children of his love.

Would it not be less than sane for Him to redeem us, win

us, walk with us to the sunset and then drop us into the

grave? Personally, I am as sure of the after-life as I am

of God.

We thank Thee, Lord, that this is life

eternal to know Thee.

Amen.

BWWS FOR THE FALTERINGJob 12:1-10

"When a man faltars, there are blows for him. fI

This is not universally true, thank God, but it is true

too often. This is a hard war ld forfailures. Not a few

of us like to give our gifts where they are not really

needed. Ours has been a day when to falter as a nation

was to eourt disaster. In Hitler's Germany the supreme

crime was to be weak. There is no attitude more devilish

than this. To be Christian we must take the opposite

course. "We that are strong ought to, bear the infirmities

of the weak and not to please our selves. "

l.prd, give us the grace to bear one,Jjl

another' s bura~ns and fulfil Christ f s

-.

RELIGIOUS WICKEDNESSJob 13:1-10

"Will you~peak wickedly for God?" Well, it has

been done. .Two deeply earnest nneighbors of mine spoke

so harshly to each other in an argument over perfect love

that they camp to hate each other. It is not easy to

engage in a controversy~ about religion even, and refrain

altogether from wicked speech. Two dangers threaten all

such. First, some give way to harsh and unbrotherly

language. Others, if they do not positively lie, often

color the truth so highly that it amount s to a lie. No

truth needs either harsh words or pious lies to enable

it to stand.

Save us, Lord, from the folly of speaking

wickeaiy in an effort to serve Thee.

t,

BUMS JOR TIll rAL'l'DDQJob 12.1-10

IfWb.eD a man talt..... ther. u. blow. torhia..

'lh18 1. net UDi.,...ally t'Nlt, t.hank 004, but it. t. tru.

too ott.. !hie 1. a baret ..ld tOl'tallur... Rot a t.

ot U8 lik. to gi.,e 0111" gift. wh..e the1 an not reall7

needed. Ours has beu a dq when to falter 88 a nation

... to COW't.disast.er. In H1tler's GeI'maDT the eupna8

cr1Jle was t.o be .eak, There 1. no attit.ude 110.. deodllah

t.har1 t.b18. To be Christ.ian w. must take toM opposite

eours.. "lie t.hat are strong ought t,o bear the 1nttralu...

ot the weak and not. to please our8el.,ea••

~d, gift us t.ll. gra.. to b.... one

another' 8 burcleD8 and. tWJ'il Cbr1.t' 8

law.

II1f1ll JOU .peak wi )' t. Qoct1tr .u, it baa

been 40_. Two deepl, Dl8t hnaighbcr. of II10e .poke

80 hal"b17 to Noh ot.b8. 10 an aJtguaent oy.,. 1*"1.' 10.­

\hat, tbq ca. t.o bat-. ,MOb oth... It. 18 not u.,. to

el188.' 1ft a oontl'OYerq...... Nl1aiOA eYen, and .etn1A

alto.e'her fJtoa wioked apeeoh. Two dana..' tbNat.e all

&NOb. F1r&\" ~" gi.,.,.,t.o harsh aad unbl'Otherl,

J.ana-.e. OthV", it the7 do not poII1t.iveq lie, ott.ea

color t.he tratb 80 higb17 that. it. SIIOud.. to a u..,. 10

truth need. either haJ'sb ....ds OJ' plou. l1e. to enable

it. to ltancl.

S... 'la, tareS, fit. tbetoll7 ot 8..ak1Dg

wi~ in an .tt~t. to .8rft .......

'"

7

A FAITH THAT STEADIESJob 14:1-14

tllf a man die shall he live again?" Moffatt

gives a better translation: "If only man might die and

live again, I could endure my weary l=8st until relief

arrived." Job was not sure of the life to come. Had

he been sure, such a faith would have given him strength

to bear his present pain. But why be brave .,men the

issue was sure to be dust and ashes? As Christians we

possess the faith for which Job longed. This assurance

of triumph over death ought to give us courage to stand

at our post however FElinful the ordeaiL may be.

We thank Thee, Lord, that we can go

about our task girded by the powers of

an endless life.

Amen.

"It a an cI1e .ball he 11;' apin?" IIottatt

gives a bett. t.ran-atloDl ft,U onlJ' ILUl ratgbt d1e &D4

l1ve again, I oould e.ndU2". wq war7 peat. untU re11.'arriftd,," Jfb .aaDOt ..,.. of tn. Ute to 0-" Had.

he bMll' lIVe, suh a faith would bave gl.,.n h1m~

to beal" b1a present pain" Bot wh7 be b7a.....en \M

1ssue was sure to be dust and aab.., As CbriaUau _

possess the faith tar .Mob Job lonsed.'ftl1a a88UN13Oe

ot'triuph over death ought to gi.e us OOUJ"8ge to .taa4

at ow poet boweftl" painful the CI"~l -7 be.

We thaAk Ttuw, Lord. t.hat .e oan 80

about our task glrcs.d bl the POW81's ot

an end1a.. ille.

'.

WANTED: IMAGINATIONJob 16:1-14

ItI! your soul were in my soul's stead, I could

heap up words against you. 1t Job's wooden-minded !riends

had no imagina tion and therefore no smypathy. For this

reason, they did not help but hurt. While in eo.lJ.ege,.•#

I went on Sunday with a sorely troubled friend to hear

a brilliant minister preach. As we came away I asked

my frierrl what he thought of the service. tiThe

minister reminded me," he replied, "of one standing safely

on the bank of a raging river watching some poor chap

drown. But irmtead of throwing him a rope, he merely

told him wisely that he was a fool ever to fall in. II

Lord, grant us imagination and

heart enough to put ourselves in the

other man's place.

Amen.

"''I'D. DWlDlAftOIJob 16,1-14 .

"It 7OU1" eoul wen in '1t1 soul' 8 It_d, I could

heap up ...da againat. 7OU,· Jd>'. wooden-minded fI'1e1'14a

had DO imagblation and thenton no smypat!l7, '01' w..J

rea.on,t.hey d1d not help but burt.. While 1ft CPU-ge,

I went. on SUD4a1' 1d.t.h a 80..17 t.roubled friend to hear

a brilliant. td.nUt.er preach. Aa we oaaeawq I a,keel

rq tral'd what he thought ot the ""ice. "!he

minister 1"8IDindecl 1118." he rep11ed, .ot one atancl1ng aatel1

on the bank ot a ragingl'1V81' _tobing aa. pooat 0haP

drowD, But irateact ot throwiDg him a rope, be am,.

told b1JIl wise17 that b' was a tool eTel" to tall 111."

14-4, grut. ua 1aginat,1on aDd

heart enougl). to put our,dYes in t.he

'.

TEARS TEAT ARE PRAYERS

Job 16:15-21

I "l(:1.t1e eye poureth out tears unto God." "My tears

turn to God in prayer, 11 is Moffatt r s translation. There

are tears that are quite cheap. Some can turn them on

as easily as turning on water in the bathroom. Some

mke them weapons of offense ani of defense. Obhers still

n:e.ke them a substitute for action. We used to have a

boat on one of our rivers whose engine was so weak that

when it whistled it had to stop and get up steam. There

are thos e whos e tear s are, ,like that. Then there are

. others whose tears are so meaningful that they become

liquid prayers.

We thank Thee, Father, that when we read

in Thy Word, fll have seen thy tears," we

can be sur e that Thou art moved by our

sorrow.

Amen.

ftAU ".Af AU PUmtB

Job 1611S-21

.JI1¥ ete pount.h out tears unto Qocl.. 1tJQ' t.ear.

_II, to God. 1D III"",· 1. Uottatt'. translation. !ben

are tears t.hat are quite oheap. Some can t urn thea OB

as ea.sil7 .s tUl'n1ag on ...teI" in the bathroom. SCM

..lee, the wuVOftll of ottenae am of detense. OIJbu. sUll

.lee t.hem. a substit.ut.e tor aot.1on. We used too ha.... a

bea' on one ot .Qtlr rivers whoae engine wall! so weak that

when it 1d1iet1ed it. bad to atop and get up st,eaa. 'lben

ue thOlie wboae t .... are lJ.ke that. then there are

others whose t.ears aN .0 roeam ngf'ul tha t tbe;y beco_

llquid Ira'.,.....w. tt18Dk thee, 'ather, that wbeA we nd

in 1h7 Wcrd, "1 haye 8een \by t .....,,, _

Call bt aure that. !bou art aowcl b7 our

'.

THE NEAREST DUTYJob 17:1-16

"Like one who bids his friends to a feast and lets

his children starve." (Moffatt) To bid one's friends

to a feast might be a worthy gesture, bUt if' such a one

starves his children by so doing, it is altogether

unworthy. I am thinking now of a mother who became

so busy looking after her city that she left her own

children to the mercies of the street.

Save us, Lord, from becoming so absorbed

in the distant that we neglect the duty

that is within our very doors.

Amen.

-me ODe who bida IWt friena to a f ••t and let..

his oh1ldr. starn.· (IIDt:."t) to b14 0..•• fri4JDh

to a te...t might be .. ..-thy ge.t.ure, bllt if .ueh a 0lJ8

atarna hi. eb.drell b7 80 doing, 1t u alto«e\beJt..~

unworth7. I am th1.nk1ng now ot a motber 1fho be..

110 bu1 lDoldng attel" h.. 01t1 that. abe lett ber Cld

children t.o the mercie. 01 the .tor.-.

in the tH.~t that. we negleot the dutl

that i.within our ",ery doara.

..

I!

A BRIEF TRIIDIPHJob 20: 1-10

"The triumph of the wicked is' short." Job r s

friends said some foolish words, but this one is very

wise. Wrong does triumph again and again. But its

victory is always temporary. Hitler swept everything

before him for a while, but only for a while. His is

the story of all the despots that ever"waded through

slaughter to a throne and shut the gates of mercy on

manldng." Even Annas, Caiaphas and Pilate triumphed

for a while. Christ was done to death ani His body was

laid in a tomb. But again the triumph of the wicked

was short for soon this crucified Christ was alive

forevermore.

We thank Thee, Father, that the ffna.l

victory is always with Thee.

Amen.

ABIDr~Job 20. 1-10

"The t.r1l.UDi'h of the wicked 1_ ahc:rt.- Job t •

friends said same foolish words, but:. th1a one is .errwise. Wrong deea triumph again and again. But 1ts

deter1 18 al"878 temporary. Hitler ...pt ev8J"1thina

betore him tar a llIhUa, but onl7 tar a wh:1le. Uis 1a

the story ot all the despots that ever"wadad througb

slaughter to a throne and shut the gates ot 1181'07 011

maoJdn4. 1t Even Annas, Caiaphas and Pilate q.iumphed

tor a lihUe. Cbri.t Wil>8 done .to death aat 818 bo41 ..

laid 1D a tomb. But again the triumph ot the ..lob4

waR shertfor Dcon t.his crucified. Chri.t ._ all.,.torevermore.

We thank 'thee, rather I that the tinal

victor1 18 alwaya with Th...

WHY PRAY?Job 21: 1-15

"What profit should we have, if we pray unto

Him?" What is the good of prayer? It is surely not

a means of tugging at God till he gives up His will

for ours. That He will never do. True prayer will

bring many fine results, but of all these, this is the

most rewarding: Prayer will make God real to the one

who prays.

Lord, save us from cheating ourselves

and others by our failure to pray.

Amen.

WI .fUI'?Job 211 1-1'

awbat pl"Ofit .hould w. haft, it .. Pl'q unto

Ria?a What 18 th8 good of pn,.r7 It. 18 ,\)Pel,. ..

a rasans or tu.gging at God tU1 h. gi••• up Ria eU

tor ours. 'that He will nev.. do. true prayer will

brirw ..,. tine rNul"., but at all the••, tbia 1JI t.bI

IIIOat rnaJ"dingl Prayer will make 004 real to the ODe

who pro,..

Lord, save us from ahating ourselves

and ot.be... b,OW' tallure to poa,.•

.&MA.

A CRY OF THE HEART

Job 25:1-10

nOh, that I knew where I might find Him." Here

is a cry that is universaL It was uttered long before

it became articulate upon the lips of Job. It is as

/;;' old as man. It is a longing that is the very mother of

religion. Philip expressed it in these words, "Lord,

show us the Father and it is enough." In fact, as uni-

versa1 as is our hunger for bread, even so universal

is our hunger for God. Truly God made us for Himself.

We thank Thee, Lord, that if we are

willing to do Thy will we shall come

to know Thee.

Amen.

1 cat or 1111 HIAat

Job 2,.1-10·

"Ob, tba, I kDtw ...,.. I milbt t1a1 H1a." a .i. & OJ1' that, ill WVeJIaa1. It .... llt\ea0e4 lons bet .

it b.... anioulata upon the 11,. of JClb. It 1•••

old &s man. It 18 a loaging that 1. tJl••..., _ther of

rel1g1011. Philip 8XII".8S_ it in the.. word., "Lord,mow us the 'ather and it 18 enough.a In la.to, a. w:d­

vwsal as 18 our hunger tar bJoMd, eyen _ uniY.s41

18 OUJ' bunler tor God. 'fIoul7. God made U8 tor H1.lDaelt.

We thank Th.., Lord, that 1t .8 U".

willing to do 'Jby will we shall come

to know 'l'hee.

'.

USING YOUR HEADJob 2S: 2D-2S

"Behold the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom."

Therefore to refuse to fear God is not simply wicked but

silly. When I bought a new car years ago, I received

wi th it a booklet telling me how .to treat that car in

order to get the best from it. Therefore, I did not look

upon this booklet as a kill-joy but as a friendly guide

to greater enjoyment. There is a guide-book that we call

the Bible that tells how we were meant to work.

VoTe thank Thee, Lord, that to· fear

Thee is to be supremely wise.

AJnen.

USDa IOlIl BIAJ)J~ 28120-28

"Behold the feu ot the Lord, that. is wi.aom,,"

Theretore t.o refuse to tear 004 ia not siaP17 wiolred bu'

1J1ll7" When I bought a new car fears ago, I receivc

w1th 1t a booklet. telling _ how to treat. that oar :lD

Cl'der to get the beat frOll1 it. Theretcre, 1 did aot look

upon this booklet. as a kill- j01 but. aa a triendl.1 g~

to gr..t.,.e~joy.nt.. Tbtre 1. a guide-book t.ha t .. .uthe Bible that tells bow we WeN _ut. to work.

We thank 'Ib.., 14"4, that. to tear

The. i. to be wpr-17 wU••

..

BURNT ourJob 31:1-12

lilt is a fire that consumeth to destruction." Here

is Moffatt's translation: "It is a fire that burns life

to a cinder." The author is here speaking of a particular

sin, toot of unchastity. But what is true of this

particular sin is in a profound sense true of all sin.

In the very nature of things sin is self~destruction. But

while it destroys itself, it destroys the sinner also.

Grant us, Jesus Master, so to share

Thy nature that we shall also share Thy

holy hatred of ~n.

Amen.

BtJmfT OutJob '1.1-12

-It 1. a tire t.hat 00A8'Uet.b to 4••tI'uotioa." ....

18 Jloftatt' a translation. .Xt 1•• ftrt that. burna lite

to a cinder." 'the author 1. herd spea1dng of • parUoulaI'

sin. t.hat of unohast1t1. But what 1. true of thi.

partioular sin 18 in a profound s8I1se true of all sln.

In the Vf1't'Y nature of thitJgs aln is aelf'-dtlatruot1on. But.

while it destroys itself, it destroys the simler also.

Grant. U8, Jesus lfaster. 80 to share

Thy nature that we shall alao share '1'b7

ho17 hatred of ain.

mE BASIS OF BROTHERHOODJob 31:13-22

"Did not my Maker .make my servant too?" (Moffatt~

Certainly. That being the case, I cannot wrong him

wi thout wronging the God who made ,am loves us both. I

cannot call him common without reflecting on our

common lather. This week a father told me with

tearful appreciation how his wourxied son was saved on

the field of battle by a Jew. That Jew now has a warm

place in that father's heart because of kindness to

his son. God also appreciates kimness shown to His'

Childreh. '

Help us, Lord, to see in every man a

brother for 'Whom Christ died.

Amen.

'ftIJ BAS1B 01 J.IlO'JHJDOODJob ;1:13-22

"D1cl not art Yakel' aka ., .enant. t.oo? It (Mottattt

Certainly. That being the ca... I cannot wrong him

without wrong;lng the God .0 IDadtt aid loY.. WI both. I

cannot call him CommDn withoutretleoting on our

COJlllllOA father. '1'h1a week a tather told _ witb

tearful appreoiation how hie lfOunded son was sav~ on

the field ot battle by a In. 'J'hat Jew now has a wazoa

place in that tathEJl'" lJ heart beeaua. of kindness to

his son. Ood alliO ap~reoiatea k1D1nu. abOWll t.o H1a

Chllclrei&.

Help us, Lord, to see in ."fIl'7 -.0 a

brother for l'il0lll Ohri.at died.

FEARING THE CROWDJob 31:29-36

ItIf ever I kept quiet within doors, afraid of what

the crowd would say." (Moffatt) That is.a fear that

has slain its thousands. Herod murdered John the

Baptist largely because he was afraid of the crowd.

Give us the courage,. Lord, to dress our

lives by our own mirrors instead of that

held up to us by the crowd.

Amen.

.u ..,.. I kept quiet wlthiA 4oaPa. afraid or lIhat

the crowd .ould .,." (Jlotfat\) '!hat. 10 a tear t.ta t

baa slain iie thousands. HeJ'Od muPdered John t.be

Baptist largely because he was a:traiti ot the erawd.

Give u the oourage,Lord, to *.88 our

live. b7 our own miJ"Fope 1natAad ot that

held up to u. by the orowd.

\.

UNOONDITIONAL SURRENDERJob 34: 31-37

"Are you to choose the terms, not God?" (Moffatt)

How 1IIlny seek to be saved on their own terms l Years ago

when my first born was a small boy he, for some reason,

became offended at his father. He gave expression to his

indignation by crumbling the cake he was eating upon the

floor. I told him to pick it up. His reply was that he

would be a good boy. In fact, he was ready to do almost

anything except pick up the cake. But that was the one

matter that was the issue between us. What is ·GOd

seeking from us? Not our work or gifts, primarily, but

ourselves.

Teach us, Lord, that to obey is better thanj

sacrifice.

Amen.

1

dAre you to choo•• th. t ..., .. ODd? (llottat.t)

How an.1 8Mk \0 bo sa'Yfld on t.heir ClWJl to..., Years asowben ff!Y tirat barn was a _ll boy bo, t~ .aH reason.

became ortaoded at hi. tathelr.. Ho gave.XJI"8osion to hi"

indignation by crumbling the cake b. was eating upon t,he

tloor. I told him to pick it up. His ...p11 was the t he

Would. be a ,ood boy_ In taot, he w&a r_d1 1#0 do almost

anythi.og eJltCopt. pick up the Oake. .:au.t that was th. one

matter that was tbe issue bet."een us. What !a,',G04

owsel.,••,

Teach us, Lard, that. t.o oDe1 18 bet.t.w t.baIl

Ncritice,

PREFERRING A SIN TO SUFFERINGJob 36: 15-21

"Take heed, regard not iniquity: for this hast

thou chosen rather than affliction. II Here is

Moffatt's translation. "Beward, banish all evil thoughts-

you prefer sin to suffering." That was the choice of the

lesser revolutionary who died beside Jesus. Therefore

-/ "r he prayed this prayer-tlSave thyself and us." That is,

"I don I t mind being what I am, I only dread being where

I am." But the greater revolutionary preferred suffer-

ing to sin, therefore he prayed not far exemption but for

remembrance: "Jesus, remember me when thou comest in

Thy Kingdom. 1t His supreme hatred was not in being where

he was, but in being what he was.

Lord, so strengthen us we pray Thee,that

we shall be glad to suffer rather than to

fail Thee.

Amen.

"Take heed, reprd not.in1quit1J t. thl. bast.

thou chosen rather tt.n attllctioa.- H... i.

Uottatt t 8 transla t.ion. "Bewar4. banish all evU t.hougbt.a­

you ~et.. Bin to sutter1l1g." . That A. the ohoio. 01 the

la••er revolutionaJ'1 who dJ8d beside Jesus, Therefor.. '.

he pr.,ed this PJ'ayer-"Sav. ttqselt and WI. It That. 18,

-I don t t mind being what I am,. I only dread being where

I IUI.- But. tbe great.. P8Volu~lonaJ'1 poetarred sutt......

1na to sin, therefore be POa.YM not. t. exemption but tor

reaembr~.1 ItJest,8, reJalDber me when thou cement ~n

thy lingdom. lt His supr.. hatred' _8 not in being wbare

be was, but in being what be .s.

Lord, 80 strengthen U8 we PI'87 th_, that

w. :shall be glad 'too .utter rau.. tban t.o

taU Tb...

A CLOUD OF WORDS

Job 38: 1-15

"Who darkens my design with a cloud of thoughtless

words?" (Moffatt) There are words that dispel the mists

of the mind. They bring light like a sunrise. But there

are other words that mystify and bewilder and drug with

sleep. A recent speaker urged the youth of our city, in

the longest words possible, to come to grips with the uni­

verse. It is my opinion that no youthful listener could

fathom his address not because it was 50 deep, but because

it was so muddy. Blessed is the speaker, the entranc e of

whose words giveth light.

We pray Thee, Lord, to save us who teach

and preach from darkening Thy counsel by

words. Amen.

A CUXJD 01 YatD!J

Job )8. 1-1'

-Who dark.. rq de'lp with a aloud of t.boqbU...

WC\I"d8?~ (Mottat.t) .. the.........d. that c11....1 tbe mt..,.ot the m1nd. !bey brina Upt like a .unr1.e. But. theN

&1'8 other word. that lD1sUt, and bewilder and dJoug with

sleep. A reoent speaker Urged thl louth of our Oit" in

the long••t words possible, to oome to grips with the un1­

ves-De. It is tq opinion that. no 70Uthrul u.t~ ooul4. /,.

tathea hiB address not because It was so deep, 'but because

11# _s so muddy. Bleoaed 1. the speaker, the entranle 01

who.. words giveth l1ght.

..$;.~ .

We pray Thee, Lori, to save U8 who te&Oh

and ;:.reach t!'Olll darkening '!h1 counsel b1

THE FATHER. OF THE RAIN

Job 3e: 2e-4l

"Has the rain a father?" Indeed it has. Of course,

the rain comes by natural law, but that natural law is only

GOd's way of working. Now if the father of the rain is

also our Father, I for one would not think it silly to ask

Him for rain under proper conditions. I think this privi-

lege is guaranteed to us by that petition taught us by our

Lord Himself , "Give us this day our daily bread." In many

instances He can only do that by answering our prayer for

rain. liMy God shall supply all your needs according to His

riches in glory."

Lord, help us to realize in all our relation­

ships our utter dependence upon Thee. Amen.

THB 'A2ft. or THE RAIl

Job 38, 28-41

"Hu the 7ata a tather'. Indeed it baa. Of ODurae.

tJl. ra1Jl COMa by na'-'al law, but. that natural la. i. onl7

God' 8 war ot work1.r1g. JI_ it the tatbv ot the pain 18

alao our 'ath.., I tor one would Ilot think it. 11111)' to .8k

H~ tor rain under }roper conditions. I think tb1. fl"id­

leae ill paranteM to U8 bl t,.bat petit10D taught lila by our

Lord Hiuelt, "Give us thi8 dAy our daily bread." llS.,.q

instano•• He Gall oal7 do that b1 anner1lll our W&JV 'til'rain. dJ47 God ahall supply all your need. aeaord1ng to H1IJ

riches in glor7."

Lord, help us to realiae in all OV l'elaUon­

shipe our uttv depend4tnoe upon !bee. _a.

CONDEMNING GOD

Job 40: l-S

"Wilt thou condemn me that thou mayest be righteous?"

The answer is that too often we do just that. When I am

guilty of wrongdoing, or when I fail in right doing, if

I justify myself, if I declare that I am not to blame, I

thereby condemn God. He has conunanded me to do the

opposite. If I am not wrong, then God is. For this reason,

our excuses for our shoddy lives only add insult to injury

by blaming God when always. the fault is our very own. But,

"if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive •••

and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Grant us, Lord, to realize our

guilt that we may claim Thy

pardon. Amen.

COIlDlt8ao (J)J)

JeiI 401 ~

"Wilt thou aondMIA _ that. thou _7eat be rigbt.eouat.

The &neweJ' 18 that. too otten .. do just t.hat.. When %..

guUt7 of wrongdoing, or when I taU in right. dqing, it

I justltl' m;rHl1', 11 I declare that. I am DOt to bl8M•. I

ttlereb,. oondUUl God. He has co-anded me te do the

ojlpoaite, It I all DOt wrODg, then God 18. 'or t.b1a .....a.

our acuee. tor ov8bodd7 11ves only add insult to 1rtj_,.

by blaaing Oodwhen always the fault i. our YfIr1 own. But.,

"it we cOBt... our 8in•• He 1s faithful and jut to tord•••••

and to cleanse U8 from all unrlght,eOU8:1888."

Grant us, Lord, to r8aU•• our

pUt. that we IU.7 ala1a !h7

parclon. ....

•

A SENSE OF SIN

Job 42: 1-7

"Wherefore I abhor myself." This word belongs largely

to another age. We are not greatly worried about our decent

little sins. Lady Macbeth, scrubbing at her hands, would

leave the modern audience cold. Of course, we still confess

our sins, but those confessions do not often burst from us

wet with tears and red with shame. What is the matter?

Many factors enter in, but the supreme is a lost sense of

God. Given a vivid sense of God, there is always a deep

sense of sin. This accounts for the fact that the most

poignant confessions of sin come, not from the lips of the

greatest sinners, but from those of the greatest saints.

I ';' We pray Thee, Lord, for a transforming ..

vision of Thyself. Amen.

ASIIBorm

Job 42. 1."

"Wherefore I abhor l17..lt." Thi....d belongs laI'ee1J

to anotklw age.. We are not. grMt-ly worried about our eleo.nt

lltUe .ina. Lady Jlaobetb, scrubbing at h.. handa, wouU

leave the modern audience oold. ot cour••, .e still conte••

OW" 8ina, but those contessiona do not otten burst fro- u

wet with tear. and I'8d with shalla. What i8 th., matter?

rlaR7 tactcra enter in, but tbo oUPJ"su ls a lost sen•• of

Gal. Gi.,.en a rlvid sense ot God, there is alwa,. a deep

.eas8 of sin. 'rhi8 accClWlts tor the fact t"vlt th. moat

poignant oonteaslons ot 8in OCIIUI. not trom the lips of the

poeatest 81rmers, but 1'J"oa tho.. of the greatest sa1nt.••

We pra'1 Thee, LoJod, tar a tranat~

drion 01 !b7selt. _II.