Day 33 - Stand Firm

Day 33
Job 20-21; Galatians 2

It can be so hard to stand firm in the midst of hardship and loss. We may see people around us prospering and not having to worry about things like money, health, relationships, etc. and wonder why they get the "special treatment" from God. The truth is no one has everything together. People just cover things in different ways. Some put on their Sunday best all the time and don't allow others to know the secrets in their lives that are causing the stress. Others feel like they are falling apart all the time (I sure can relate) and can't seem to cover it up like others.

As Zophar talks to Job and tries to "encourage" him, I guess... we do see the truth that God doesn't let anyone get away with their crime. In Job's case, Zophar - like all of Job's other friends, is wrong, but he speaks truth about Who God is. We can feel burned by people at times and wonder why they are able to get away with it, but the truth is, they won't. Just because on earth here they may never get "caught" doesn't mean that God won't pour out justice on them. Remember this when you think you can get away with something too. Always have a pure heart towards others and you'll have a pure heart towards God. A firm heart towards God when things seem unfair is important.

Job struggles with Zophar's response against him, and replies with an attitude of humility towards God, claiming that no one has the right to judge God and Who He is. Job knows that God has a plan here and that God is in control, even though right now it doesn't feel that way. In the midst of our hardships, we can choose this attitude as well. God IS in control and God DOES have a plan. His way is perfect! Having a firm heart towards God when everything falls apart is important.

Today, in Galatians we read about Paul's experience with standing firm, as he tells about refusing any other truth or foundation other than the Gospel. Paul wasn't intimidated by these individuals who were labeled "great leaders" in the community. He was only moved by what God wanted of him. Even the law cannot bind Paul, as that can even cause us to forget the true meaning in Who God is. Keeping up with God and your relationship with Him is more important. Legalism is not keeping a relationship - it is keeping a religion. Having a firm heart when it comes to God and HIS essentials is important.

We need to have soft hearts when it comes to being humble and relying on God, but stand firm when it comes to hardships, legalism and when things feel unfair. His plan is perfect and He will make a way that is beyond comprehension. Stand firm and stand tall in Him.

Day 32- Praise from the Depths

Day 32
Psalm 18 & 19

When is the last time you ran to God in complete celebration and praise? David is showing that incredible emotion here. These Psalms were written in light of him being delivered from the hands of his enemies, and the praise he offers up to God is powerful.

This Psalm offers so amazing attributes of who God is! Fortress, Rock, Rescuer, Perfect, Gentle, are only a few! What an amazing God we have, Who fits all of these so perfectly. David got to see first hand how wonderful our Creator is by being pulled out of the depths in mighty ways. This juxtaposition he writes about God's character and powers is simply incredible.

Lying face down in the pit and in constant worry for what is going to happen to you can really leave you unable to focus on God, but this is the precise moment you look up and realize He is all you have. His plan is perfect and it will pave a way for His glory to shine. These moments, while awful and just terrible, can bring so much power and faith to your life and heart. It is incredible how God uses the hardships to shine His Light in our lives and the lives around us that witness how He has worked.

Next time you are surrounded by hardship and sitting at the bottom, then rescued by this Almighty God we have, remember to give Him praise for Who He is and what He has done! This light you cast will be a powerful one for those around you to see the amazing work of God's hands in your life. You are a walking testimony and story for God's greatness! Have you told it and praised God for it?

Day 31 - Twisted Truths

Day 31
Job 17-19, Galatians 1

Today, we continue with Job down this agonizing path. His friends keep accusing him, rather than comforting him, and we can see that Job is right fully upset. His friends raise a lot of truths, but in Job's situation, they are not true at all. They don't take the time to check the facts and trust Job's words.

It is so easy to be a "Bible-thumper" without knowing someone's heart. It isn't only annoying, but it can be very hurtful. I personally get very offended when someone tells me how I should be living my faith, when they have no clue what I've been through. I am guilty of telling people what to do, when I have no clue where they have been in life. I think it is necessary to empower people and push them in faith a little, but I don't think it is ever okay to beat them with God's Words, which is completely contradicting Him anyways.

Galatians opens with this point of twisted truth. Not only do we twist the Word to use against others, but we twist it to fit what we want and how we want it. Paul warns us that there is only One you are to gain approval from, and there is only One you answer to in the end. Working for man and seeking their approval is going to be a harsh reality check. When you are constantly in the Word and KNOW what God says about things, rather than listening to what man says, or what man says he thinks God says, you can go a lot further.

A heart changed for Christ is no mistaken thing. Paul makes this clear as he tells his story. There is truth behind an authentic heart that is sold out for Christ. When we are able to be open to others about our faith and allow God's Word to envelop our hearts, we can do amazing things through Christ!

Keep yourself in check when it comes to God's Truth. Don't use it to judge someone, or beat them down, but to empower them and to lift them up! Don't try to keep fitting God's Words into your ideal box and make it tailored to your comforts, but use it to grow and to go! Beware of the twists our society and culture put on things and stay in the Word!

Day 30- Patient Until the End

Day 30
Job 14-16, James 5

I think many times we just hope that the Lord will return before all of these foreseen troubles come our way. Rather than dealing with the problems in life, we try to run, or hope for God's return. I can't even count how many times I've hoped the Lord would come back before I had to face something, or just for the sake of shaking up the mundane life that seemed to keep going on and on. We read today, however, that holding onto that hope in waiting for Christ's return, we keep endurance to continue on the mission that God has set us here for.

Job is actually quoted in our James reading today, as James reminds us that Job's endurance through hardship landed him in great reward in the end, as the Lord had mercy and showed Job kindness. It is interesting reading that in James after reading about the midst of Job's agony.

The power of prayer can be a powerful tool in our waiting. As we stagger through this life, hoping for God to have mercy on us and for Christ to return soon, we can be in constant communication with God 24/7. We are told in James to pray in all circumstances! Tell God when you are happy and praise Him for it! Pray about your hardships. Have people pray for you when you are sick. Pray for each other. Prayer is a way to remind us of that hope that is coming someday and the hope we have now as we walk this earth with a Living God.

I can't help but feel for Job as his friends continue to talk for no helpful reason. A man in such agony as he, also having to deal with his friends blaming him for his misfortune just causes me to cringe. I'm not sure I would have had the strength that Job has throughout this ordeal. But as we read in James, we know that Job's endurance will bring him to good places in the end, and that hope is what keeps Job going. Just because your friends have bad advice, doesn't mean you can turn to God's advice instead. Pray to Him and ask Him for strength. Trust in His will and way.

This world can be unfair and so hard to deal with at times. Many times, I don't feel like I fit, but remembering the hope that awaits me when Christ returns or calls me home is such an encouragement. Be patient as you wait on Christ and in constant communication with Him through prayer. Hold on to Him. 

Day 29 - He Knows

Day 29
Job 11-13, James 4

We are wide-open books to God. We may be able to cover things up to the people around us, but God will always know the things we do, what we say, think, and the motives of our hearts. Zophar made this point - although very wrongly Job's case, he was correct in this fact. People can deceive us and we can surely deceive people, but if God could tell us the thoughts of everyone, it would be scary indeed.

Why do we hide our motives from people when God can see right through them? Why not trying to be pure all the way through, so you are genuine and authentic? Job knows how authentic he has been, and wants to argue his case with God. The only thing Job is forgetting is that God already knows his inside and out. He knows his heart and knows what is going to happen. Job and his friends don't know what lies ahead. One thing that Job reminds us of though is that God's wisdom is the best wisdom.

We can trust that God's plans will far-exceed our own. We plan and plan and plan and think we have life all laid out ahead of us, but we are reminded in James that our lives are here today, but could easily be gone tomorrow. We fight for what we want, but forget to get God involved, in asking Him for His ideas and His plans.

How often are you convinced you will reach a certain goal? I don't think there is anything wrong with goal-setting; in fact, I believe it is a healthy thing to do. However, when you set goals without taking God's plans into consideration, you may end up crushed temporarily. Having a heart that is open to God's timing and God's leading will ensure you are brought to your knees in the amazing work He can do in and through you!

Remember that God knows everything. He knows you inside and out. He knows your heart and it's motives. He knows what lies ahead of you. When you begin to try and hide things from God, you will be harshly mistaken one day in thinking you can, and when you set goals outside of His plans for you, you may end up crushed rather than see the amazing things He can do that will far-exceed your plans! Give it to Him, because He knows you and He knows what lies ahead.

Day 28- Wisdom from Christ

Day 28
Job 8-10, James 3

We see the struggle of Job with his friends, challenging them in their perception of God. Job points out how unworthy he is to question God's judgement and doesn't see fit to try and reason with Him. I think it is so easy to tell God how unfair He is being when things fall into the pit. But as Job states, we are so unworthy to know what God is really planning and to know what He will teach us through it.

We also see how Job's friend, Bildad, wrongly accuses Job of not having full trust in God. But as we read in the opening of Job, he was most definitely relying on the Lord, and even making sacrifices for his children in case they weren't following Him fully. The insecurities that come, only come when we don't put our reliance on Him. Bildad definitely speaks out of term as he tries to call out Job's faith. How many times do we just talk to hopefully make a situation better, just for the sake of saying something? I know I can get that way at times...

James shares about using our tongue for good, rather than hindering. A tongue is so small, but it has all the power. Whatever you say to others will leave an impression, whether negatively or positively, and the negative impression is harder to get out. Your reputation is at the stake of your tongue in many cases, so it is important to tame it and watch what you say, whether it is to someone's face, behind their back, or through the false security of a computer screen.

From what we continue to read in James, chapter 3, the wisdom that comes from God is pure, peace-loving, gentle at ALL times, humble, full of good deeds and mercy, shows no favoritism, and is always sincere (James 3:17). Perhaps the best advice that comes out of our mouths should reflect these things, as that wisdom comes from God.

Next time you have a friend that is hurting, think twice before just talking to fill space. The words you say can help greatly, or hinder dramatically. Remember how to recognize what God's wisdom looks like and act on that. The words we say are powerful and last a very long time in a heart.

Day 27 - Dead Faith

Day 27
Job 5-7, James 2

Job's friends seem to know things. They will continue to offer him advice, and Job will continue to tell them that they simply do not understand the entire situation, nor do they know his heart. His friends keep telling him to get right with God, but as we read in the opening of Job, he was a righteous, blameless man in God's sight. 

I think it is important to know a heart and an entire situation before trying to offer advice. I've been guilty of this and have come out feeling like a fool after. It is so easy to jump all over someone and let them know your thoughts before knowing their heart. Social media is a huge promoter of this practice, as people like to hide behind the screen to voice their opinions for all to hear. 

"Don't tell me how much you know, until you tell me how much you care."

James hits this nail on the head. Faith without works is dead. Works do not get us to heaven, but when you just talk about your faith, rather than showing it, you have no credibility. Show favoritism and only being nice and helpful to people you like will destroy people's view of your faith. We a offered many examples as we read about this concept. Abraham, being the prime example with his willingness to sacrifice Isaac. 

You can say all you want how great your faith is, but until you show it through your actions and really care abou people, no one is honestly going to care. Don't speak until you know the heart and situation. Act on faith before shouting about your faith. Show how real it is in your life, rather than always talking about it.