answered prayer – Be Still…

Job 10:1-22 – Why, God?

Read Job 10:1-22

Job’s plea to God continues to seek answers as well as deliverance. So far, God has been silent. In desperation, Job finds himself stuck in darkness. yet he never turns away from God.

Job asks some very direct questions. For instance, Job asks God, “What do you gain by oppressing me?” Despite his lament, Job has the capacity to think the purpose of his pain must benefit someone, maybe even God himself. That’s an interesting query, don’t you think? Continue reading “Job 10:1-22 – Why, God?”

Ezekiel 28:20-24 – More Than Doom!

Read Ezekiel 28:20-24

Sidon, like Tyre, was a coastal city full of non-believers. As we saw with Tyre in more detail, God does not tolerate those who show scorn or animosity toward his children. It was perfectly understandable when God chose to punish his children, but it is quite another story when God’s children, or even God himself, is shown no respect.

This section of the book of Ezekiel continues with God’s promise of destruction. We see that the power of God was destined to fall on more than just his precious, disobedient children. For us today, that truth can be a comfort to us. Continue reading “Ezekiel 28:20-24 – More Than Doom!”

Daniel 2:1-23 – The Dream

Read Daniel 2:1-23

Have you ever had a dream haunt you all day as if it was real, yet you have no idea what it means? That must be a little of what King Nebuchadnezzar was experiencing. He seems a bit frantic in front of his own wise men. Yet, they are not forthcoming with any sort of explanation for the king’s dilemma. Why? Because they don’t have any such power.

It seems the king has eyes to see through their deception and won’t allow them to take advantage of him anymore. The king stated, in effect, that if they aren’t smart enough to know the content of his dream they don’t deserve to live. Of course, the astrologers were outraged at the request stating, “No one on earth can tell the king his dream!” They were powerless because their wisdom was not from God. Continue reading “Daniel 2:1-23 – The Dream”

2 Chronicles 20:1-37 – God’s Victory

Read 1 Chronicles 20:1-37

How can you read a passage like this and not be changed? What I mean by that is how life-changing it is to see God at work. Reading accounts of God’s mighty intervention in the lives of his people is both encouraging and uplifting.

It’s easy for us to get caught up in our routines and start taking our blessings for granted. At some point, we are likely to hit a wall or be tempted or be ridiculed for our faithful living. How quickly our perfect existence can be marred by the unexpected attack.

1 Chronicles 21:18-30 – Build an Altar

Read 1 Chronicles 21:18-30

In this reading, we learn more about Araunah the Jebusite and the angel of death that was standing by his threshing floor. You may recall in our last reading how at the last minute the Lord called off the angel’s mission of destroying Jerusalem. But the angel remained ready, with his sword drawn, bringing fear to David and Araunah.

For some reason, the angel gave David’s seer, Gad the message to build an altar right there on Araunah’s threshing floor. David was very quick to be obedient. It appears Araunah was also anxious to give the king whatever he asked for. David didn’t want to take advantage of Araunah’s generosity, so payment was made.