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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 .......
'"
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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.