Encouraging words...from a friend?

SCRIPTURE
Job 15:32-34
“Like trees, they will be cut down in the prime of life;
their branches will never again be green.
They will be like a vine whose grapes are harvested too early,
Like an olive tree that loses its blossoms before the fruit can form.
For the godless are barren.
Their homes, enriched through bribery, will burn.
They conceive trouble and give birth to evil.Their womb produces deceit.”

OBSERVATION
As Job endured the worst time of his life, his “dear” friend, Eliphaz, blamed Job for his own misery. Righteous, learned men accused Job of fabricated flaws because they could not conceive a good man receiving so much undeserved wrath. Job must have reaped what he had sown. How many times do we hear that in church today- that we reap what we sow? How many times has Satan quoted that truth to us to prevent us from fulfilling our destiny? How many times do we smugly blame the unfortunate brother and sister for their misery without the full knowledge that God possesses about that life? Could it be that only suffering can produce the brokenness required for humbleness before God?

APPLICATION
My heart was seared when I read these verses in Job and I immediately sought out “safer” verses for today’s reading in Acts 19 & 20, but the Lord would not let me off the hook. Eliphaz may as well have been addressing me, not Job, because I have really felt I have been cut down in the prime of my life and that it was my fault. I have believed the false teaching that if I don’t respond to God’s call, He will discard me and use somebody else. So while I have battled on the enemy’s terms – being kept busy with despair, hopelessness and resignation, I have often given up and seen myself as second-had goods. I never quite seemed to measure up to where I thought I should be, or, at least, I could have held onto the good place I once was. I have felt that I was on the outside looking in - at the Beautiful Land just beyond my reach. Of course, Satan would quote scriptures and dutifully remind me that when God resists the proud there is no remedy. I readily agreed with my tormenter since the Lord told me as a new Christian that We would deal with pride. At that time I had been so battered and bruised by life I had no idea what He was talking about - but I never forgot what He said. So I didn’t recognize Satan’s condemning voice that sounded like so many other voices – my parents, the Catholic school nuns, my husbands and finally myself, until my sense of worth was gone. In addition, several years ago, I invited the Holy Spirit to remove pride from my heart until I was free from it. How hard could that be? Then God would just totally mess with my mindset, my worldview, my upbringing and the good teachings of churchiantiy. Without Him, I could have never realized that hopelessness, despair and resignation are all forms of pride. These “things” (or, more accurately, “spirits” because they have a life of their own) set themselves up as higher than God’s Word. So did that really mean God Himself is resisting me all the days of my life? Although, the enemy’s tormenting reminders caused me to “forget” Christ’s redemptive work on the cross on my behalf, God has never forgotten me. My God gently reminds me of my identity as His Chosen Daughter. My God is for me because I am for Him. When I display pride by going off my own way, He steps back until I “get it.” Then We continue on as I humbly accept forgiveness and resolve to be more vigilant. As I undergo God’s specialized training and discipline, He directs my steps since He has ordered them for me. Through today’s journaling I have realized that the missing element in my spiritual journey has been my agreement with God’s Word. Yes, I have read, yes, I have digested, confessed and believed God’s Word. I just have not believed the really terrific parts were for me. See what pride does? Who am I to say how, why or where God can use me? Even, if it’s for something bigger than I ever expected. Or something smaller. Wow.

PRAYER
Here I am Lord – it’s taken me a long time to get here, but here I am. I have asked you to forgive my same failures over and over again to the point where even I have gotten sick of hearing about them. I have finally realized that nothing is too big for You to forgive when true repentance is in my heart. Not only that, but some things I can’t ask forgiveness for because I don’t control outcomes of everything. You do. Who am I to get angry with You for not doing things the way I think You should? I am sorry for that, Lord. Your brain is better than mine – I should know that by now. It is my job to be obedient, even if the outcome for me is personally painful. Anything you ask of me is worth interrupting my comfort zone and plans. I’m just passing through here anyway. Thank you for not getting sick of me, or giving up on me. I am now living my life in the “believing zone.” I believe by Faith that each moment of my day is divinely orchestrated by You. I believe that the fire in my belly is about to erupt into a full Holy Ghost explosion that will impact my world by Your grace. Ready when You are, Lord. In Jesus’ Name.

Vicki Nelson
Worship Department - EasyWorship Operator