Reading assignment: Job 38-40,
Last night, Barbara pointed us in the right direction as we opened our study reflecting on Job's opening comments (Jb. 29:1). Barbara's comments on Job reflecting on the months past (see Barbara's post on the discussion board) reminded me of the iconic singer Otis Redding. Do remember these words from Sitting on the Dock of the Bay, "Looks like nothing's gonna change / Everything still remains the same / I can't do what ten people tell me to do / So I guess I'll remain the same, listen / Sittin' here resting my bones / And this loneliness won't leave me alone, listen? I feel like Job can relate to this line, "I can't do what ten people tell me to do." These lyrics are reminiscent of Job's miserable comforters multiply three times.
One more note as we ended our study on learning to accept God's plans in our lives. Listen to this story about a person who complained to God that their cross was heavy and too long. The individual asks God to take some weight off the cross and shorten it to their physical height. God told the person that they needed the cross they had with no modifications. The person begged God to change the cross. God then said, "Okay, I will grant you your wish." A few days later, the individual came back to God and asked, "Why couldn't I crossed the river?" God responded, "If you had accepted the first cross I gave you, you would have crossed the river. However, you complained that your cross was to heavy and too long." The individual learned to trust in God's Sovereignty.
Job's friends put God in a box by pointing to the Doctrine of Retribution. They believed that the only solution was repentance even though Job felt that he was innocent. Job's friends never talked about God's plan, God's mercy, and God's Divine covenant love for creation.
"For I know well the plans I have in mind for you—oracle of the LORD—plans for your welfare and not for woe, so as to give you a future of hope. When you call me, and come and pray to me, I will listen to you" (Jer. 29:11-12)
"Call to me, and I will answer you; I will tell you great things beyond the reach of your knowledge" (Jer. 33:3).
Discussion question (Review Chapter 38): What kind of questions do you ask God when you don't understand circumstances in your life? Does God always give you solutions to your problems? How do you discern that God is speaking and not the evil one who dresses "like an angel of light"?
Oh, Deacon, you stole my notes. I am going to have to cover my notes the next time. Spiritual and a prayerful life style is not enough. If there is no "discernment," one could say, we don't understand the Holy Spirit. Paul said the following, "For those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God" (Rom. 8:14).