Season of Life – Be Still…

Job 33:1-33 – The Youngster Speaks

Read Job 33:1-33

Interesting how Eliju took a whole chapter just to prepare us for his speech, and here we discover what the “youngster” has to say about things. A different generation may not look at Job the same as a peer. Who are Job’s peers? He had grown children living separate lives. I have grown children with lives apart from me (that’s the hardest part of missionary life)! Job would be my peer, or at least in the same “season” of life as me. I can’t imagine losing everything like he did. Does a younger person even begin to imagine such loss?

What do you think of Eliju now? Has your opinion changed? Or is Eliju just a little too “cocky” or sure of himself. Eliju is someone that God loved and used for a purpose. We don’t have to like guy to respect him. Continue reading “Job 33:1-33 – The Youngster Speaks”

Job 29:1-25 – Memory Lane

Read Job 29:1-25

It’s good to remember that the book of Job is considered to be poetic in nature even though it contains dialogue. Here Job is taking quite a walk down memory lane describing his past successes and blessings. It’s hard for us to picture such a lavish lifestyle for Job, now so lost and abused by his friends.

If you had first met Job when he was living the life he describes here, how would you have helped him in his distress? I imagine the friends we have heard from previously dealt with that very problem. However, we haven’t been told anything particular about the basis for these friendships or been given details about the friends’ backstory. Continue reading “Job 29:1-25 – Memory Lane”

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 4:1-18 – Dreaming of a Tree

Read Daniel 4:1-18

A second dream! I suppose when you’re good at something that glorifies God you talk about it. We get the first part of the story here, but our next reading will be the big reveal. For now, we’re wondering how it will all play out.

This whole story being told by King Nebuchadnezzar is quite the proclamation! As far as was the king’s reach, people were hearing about the Most High God. “How great are his signs, how powerful his wonders! His kingdom will last forever, his rule through all generations.” How do you think Daniel and his friends reacted to such a public display? Continue reading “Daniel 4:1-18 – Dreaming of a Tree”

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 – The Right Time

Read Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Time is a precious commodity. Once we spend it, we can’t get it back. This passage suggests there is a right and wrong time for doing things. Was Solomon’s wisdom causing him to overthink again? For the most part, I think he’s “spot on.” The problem is, we may not always know what the “right” time is for doing these things.

Thankfully, God’s timing is always perfect. I’ve heard that my whole life, and I’m sure I’ve said it dozens of times to help someone patiently wait. As we read through Solomon’s list of time sensitive aspects of life, I found myself nodding my head in agreement, remembering those times in my own life.