Day 6 Psalm 1-14

Day 6 Psalm 1-14

Every Psalm could be given it's own little (or big essay).

I have actually already made comments about Psalm 8 in a previous post.

Instead of commenting on 14 Psalms I will briefly comment on Psalm 3. It is a Psalm I really like and his given me alot of encouragement. 

According to the title of this Psalm, David wrote this Psalm while fleeing from sin Absalom. Read 2 Samuel 11-19 for the back-story to this Psalm. In 2 Samuel 12, David sinned by sleeping with Bathsheba and then killing her husband to cover up his adultery. The prophet Nathan then confronted David with his sin:

9 Why did you despise the word of the Lord by doing what is evil in his eyes? You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife to be your own. You killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. 10 Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.’
11 “This is what the Lord says: ‘Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity on you. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will sleep with your wives in broad daylight.12 You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.’”13 Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.”Nathan replied, “The Lord has taken away your sin. You are not going to die. 14 But because by doing this you have shown utter contempt for the Lord, the son born to you will die.”(2 Samuel 12:9-14)

This prophecys fulfillment is described in the chapters which follow as Davids first son born from that union died, and David was forced on the run by another son called Absalom who attempted to take the Kingdom from David. While David was fleeing, Absalom slept with his concubines on a roof for all to see (2 Samuel 16:22).

While he was on the run many people were despising him at this time as Psalm 3:1-2 describes, with these people even saying that he had no hope in God(they probably said this because of Davids sin, the context seems to suggest this, although the Scripture doesn't say this specifically). Amongst this, despite his sin, David trusted in God, knowing that the Lord sustains him(Psalm 3:5-6) and believing that he had no reason to fear.

Note that what happened to David, although it was a result of sin, it was not a punishment in a legal sense. We know this for sure because the prophet Nathan had said to David "The Lord has taken away your sin. You are not going to die."(2 Samuel 12:13b)

Thus, no matter what has happened in our past, if we hope in the one who is able to take away our sin, we have hope, and have no reason to be afraid.

Day 5

Day 5; Job 38-42

I want to be short today. God speaks. Job answers.

Gods answer was not what Job was hoping for. Job wanted God to listen to him and debate with him and prove his innocence before him in a courtroom type setting. Gods response seems to be rather 'who are you to question my wisdom?'.

It seems to me that Gods rebuke of Job in the final chapter was for his reaction under trial while suffering NOT for sin committed before the trial, as Jobs first three friends suggested(the fourth friend Elihu doesn't seem to me to have made this mistake). I think that what this shows us is that it is our duty to be loyal when suffering and being tempted, believing in the goodness of God; but we do not need to know the reason for the suffering itself apart from what we know about Gods overall character and plan for the world(which the New Testament says alot more about than the Old Testament).

Some people suggest that as a reward for Jobs endurance he received back his wealth as payment for his righteousness. Actually, I believe that the whole message of the book is against this payment/reward system between man and God.
I believe the message is basically redemptive, God works in the world and gives us everything we need, and to each person he gives a certain amount of time aloted on Earth to seek God and come to know Him and to know rest and peace in Him, in the sense Augustine spoke of 'Thou hast prompted him[man], that he should delight to praise thee[God], for thou hast made us for thyself and restless is our heart until it comes to rest in thee'.
God makes provisions for us every day, the air we breathe and the food we eat; sometimes these gifts are restricted and we have bad health, or our loved ones die(their alloted time has ended),  or struggle to find enough money to feed ourselves and our families, or other people rebuke us or hurt us. When God takes stops giving us these things which we depend on every day, we are forced to come to rely on The Giver of the gifts, instead of the gifts themselves. In doing this we fulfill the purpose of our alloted time, to praise God by delighting in who He is Himself.

Day 5, Job 38-42: An Awesome God!

As I see God's answer to Job in this passage, it brings into sharp focus the greatness of God. In many ways, I am not sure how I can talk of this passage (ch 38-41) without dulling its majesty and grandeur - I will make some comments, but there is no substitute for reading this passage!

As we considered yesterday with Elihu's passage, Job was in error to question God and to ask for a chance to prove his innocence in court with God. He, too is overwhelmed by the questions God asks of him - questions he cannot hope to answer and he (rightly) simply responds by repenting humbly. There can be no other response to such a reminder of God's Majesty!

The passage is a timely reminder of Who God Is. Frequently today, many focus on the relational aspects of God, emphasising His Fatherhood, His Love, His compassion, etc. All important parts of God's character, but sometimes we do forget how truly amazing God is, how great He is, and all He does.

Here we see Him (as a partial list):

• As the powerful Creator and Designer
• The Great Physicist, Who commands the natural laws
• The omniscient, ever-present God
• The Lord of death - the Keeper of Hell
• The Sustainer of natural forces, in control of when storms are released
• The One Who knows every living creature, and whether they are full or famished
• The Master of every wild beast, Who understands everything about them, how they move, how they think and act
• The Creator of the greatest creatures in land and sea - Behomoth and Leviathan - which man has no hope of controlling or fighting

If you haven't already - I'll say it again. Do read the passage, this is an amazing section of the Bible where God Himself speaks, and presents to us an awe-inspiring picture of Who He is.

Finally, we get to the epilogue. Job has repented, he has no answer - we are nothing before God, and the appropriate response is to simply trust Him, not question Him, whatever the circumstance.

Job's three 'friends' with poor theology and ill advice are rebuked, with forgiveness offered by means of the prayer of the one they accused as having done wickedness - the one who spoke of God more rightly than they. We noted earlier that Elihu is not rebuked  - also interesting to note that Job's wife is not rebuked, who in the early part suggested Job 'curse God and die' - perhaps the rebuke Job gave her was sufficient, as head of the household.

The mention of his brothers and sisters brings up the question of where they were before. We don't know whether they took a while to hear about the suffering, or they were avoiding him at first due to his turn in fortune. But now they both show emotional and economic comfort in his suffering, which presumably is the means God uses to begin setting Job up with greater wealth than before. Not everyone will end up in more physically blessed circumstances after a time of suffering, but God chose to bless physically in this case - the greatest blessing Job gained is still the greater understanding and awareness of God that he gained. Physically, everything he once had, he ends up with twice as much (including his children, as he will again see the first number who died when he reaches Heaven). We don't learn the names of his sons, but the names of his daughters express the joy he has - "Day light" "Sweet Smelling" "Beautiful colour (used to paint the eyelids)".

Glory be to God on High!

Day 5 "My Gold Pieces"

Honestly, I find that blogging about the Bible helps me a ton in understanding the bigger pictures of the books. I think that although it’s challenging and requires discipline, its definitely taught me a lot! Today I grouped the reading into 3 “gold pieces” I learnt.

Living in our circumstances

In Job, we see circumstances that arise that are so difficult to live in. Job couldn't wait for his life to end so that the then current circumstances would go away! Today I listened to a speaker teach about “Living in our circumstances”. The speaker talked about how difficulties strengthen, and we should learn how to live in our circumstances, learning to grow out from it. In the story of Joseph in the Bible, it tells of how he was mocked and abandoned by his own brothers and waited in prison for years. But it never tells of Joseph complaining about the situations that God placed Him in. Rather, he patiently waited, obeying and trusting in God's promises even through the current situations. Joseph later found out that it was all preparation and stepping stones leading up to God’s big plan for him! I remember a friend I had that would comment, "nevermind, it builds character", whenever something bad happened to her! God, too, is more concerned about our character than our comfort. He sees the big and small pictures, and is the God of circumstances. A character of Wisdom and Godliness takes time, patience, and discipline. Like in most everything, the Journey brings us to our destination. 

I Am Who I Am

The key to wisdom is the Fear of God. How profound! We see that God did not feel the need to justify or explain Himself. He did not say that it was a test, or explain that the curses were not His punishments but rather Satan’s doing. He merely used Himself as the sole answer to Job’s case. God’s identity defeats all arguments, cases and justifications. When we stop assuming and start trusting, God reveals to us the bigger picture! When Job trusted in who God is, God rewarded him for his faith. When Moses asked what he should tell his people when they ask who sent him, God’s simple answer? “I am who I am.” [Exodus 3:14]

Listen! And I will speak.

Debates, questions, and frustrations usually arise when we bring up listening to the voice of God, or discerning His will. But today I learnt that a big tip is to “Listen”. How often do we pray with words such as “Thank you Lord for… I’m sorry Lord for… Please Lord can you help…”. Not saying that is bad, but if prayer were simply that, it would be a one-way monologue! Imagine a friend walking into your room everyday, saying, “Thank you, Sorry, and Please can you do this for me…” and walk right out without waiting for your response? It will only be a one-sided speech and not a conversation! If your friend is not accustomed to listening to you, then if you speak one day amidst a crowd, he wouldn’t be able to recognize your voice! Job mentioned being unable to find God or to hear Him speak. But God replied, with the simple words, “Listen! And I will speak.” [Job 42:4] Jesus said in John 10:27, "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me." Through reading His will everyday in the “LIFE Instruction Manual”, we are easily able to discern His will and His voice when He speaks! There is much less grey area if we stop being influenced by the perspectives and debates of the world, and really spend time at the feet of God like Mary listening to Him speak! [Luke 10:39]

Day 4 Job 32-37

Day 4 Job 32-37

I hope that some people may have been benefiting from my posts so far. Actually, my posts are in many ways unfinished musings, and my perspective is probably not deeply affected by my own personal suffering so as to make this message more personal and applicable, I hope that it will be of encouragement to someone none the less.

After Jobs three friends stop speaking to Job, Job makes his final statement(Job 26-31). Then in chapter 32 Elihu speaks, a fourth friend who has remained silent until that point. I believe his words are more accurate than all of Jobs other friends, and perhaps even completely right. Elihu is never rebuked by God as God does to Jobs friends, and also Job himself. In the final chapters, God speaks to Job saying '“Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?”(Job 38:2), and goes on to describe the greatness His own wisdom in comparison to Job's wisdom, and he does not enter into the debate that Job had been seeking to have with God. Elihus speech seems to be similar to Gods and he rebukes Job for

The narrator, who himself actually speaks very little in the book of Job says 'Then Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned with anger. He burned with anger at Job because he justified himself rather than God.'(Job 32:2). I believe this is the main focus of Elihus speech, as he says that God is right in His dealings, and is intimately involved with his creatures providing for them and leading them toward righteousness.

Elihu begins by rebuking Jobs friends in chapter 32, then he rebukes Job in chapter 33-37. I think this section near the beginning of Elihus rebuke of Job summarises his speech, or at least this chapter:

“Surely you have spoken in my ears,

and I have heard the sound of your words.

You say, ‘I am pure, without stransgression;

I am clean, and there is no iniquity in me.

Behold, he finds occasions against me,

he counts me as his enemy,

he puts my feet in the stocks

and watches all my paths.’

“Behold, in this you are not right. I will answer you,

for God is greater than man.

Why do you contend against him,

saying, ‘He will answer none of man's words’?

For God speaks in one way,

and in two, though man does not perceive it.

(Job 33:8-14)

Elihu says that God is greater than man so man should not contend against God by claiming 'He will answer none of man's words' as Job claims. Elihu then describes how God speaks to man, he seems to describe three ways starting in verses 15, 19 and 23. I would advise you to think about these three things. He concludes by saying “Behold, God does all these things, twice, three times, with a man, to bring back his soul from the pit, that he may be lighted with the light of life.”(Job 33:29-30)

I believe that though God 'speaks' to us in our circumstances, it is not necessary that we 'perceive it'(as occurs in Job 33:14). We do not need to know why we are suffering, so long as we keep our own trust in God. Although God sometimes brings circumstances to discipline us and set us free from sin in our hearts, we do not need to know that this is the reason, we only need to make sure that we remain faithful in that situation.

Suffering or trial or temptation is not necessarily the result of our sin, we do not need to know why. Both Elihu's speech and God's speech focus on the knowledge of God, and how much greater it is than mans. I believe that our only necessary response, is to submit in humility to God in the midst of suffering. We do not know why, but we trust in the goodness of God nonetheless. True wisdom, is to submit, completely abandoned, to the wisdom of God believing He is good and His wisdom is good and he does rightly and lovingly and graciously and redemptively in the world.

There is more that can be said such as from the New Testament that describe suffering and trial further such as

• Jesus saying “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:8).
• Paul saying “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church,”(Colossians 1:24)
• James saying “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-3)
• Ephesians 3:10 describes the Redemption of the church on a cosmic scale(compare with Job 1-2)
• Romans 11 describes Gods wisdom in allowing even sin into the world " For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all."(Romans 11:32)

The New Testament provides us with revelation about sin, temptation, and suffering which Job never had. Those who are interested in this may be interested in the New Testament references I give above. There are so many more New Testament passages I could give.

Day 4 "Like it Really Matters"

I come from Malaysia, and before coming to study in New Zealand, lived in a city decorated with skyscrapers galore, crazy traffic and drivers, air pollution, night lights, midnight mamak stalls… the list goes on.

         Exams have finished and I am going back to my beloved country of cheap food, late night snacks and hot weather (malaysians can relate :P) soon. But before then, I am spending 6 weeks in Cambridge New Zealand for a course in Business, Ministry and Leadership in Capernwray Bible School.

       This school is situated a little out of the tiny town, and I have sheep and cows as my peaceful neighbors. It’s quiet, relaxing, and beautiful. Exactly what I needed. Looking out into the night sky above I gaze awestruck at stars- countless, beautiful stars. I am utterly speechless and amazed at the beauty of the works of art of my Father, the King of the heavens and the earth. How telescopic are the galaxies, and how microscopic am I! What a stark contrast!

How often do we stop to breathe, to rest our eyes on the beautiful handiwork around us? 

In Job 27, Elihu describes the might and power of God, his creation, glory and majesty. He does have a point. Our God is a great God, and we often don’t act like we know it. However, he was certain that he was the wisest and the only one with the correct answer, and as the other friends, he assumed sin in Job and all suffering as God’s judgment. 

Though Elihu’s response is debatable, I believe that his descriptions of God are powerful, mind boggling, and potentially life changing. If indeed God is who the Bible says He is, then shouldn’t we start living as though it really made a difference in our lives? Our God is a big God, not a genie in a bottle. If He is all that powerful, I would definitely want to be clearly standing on His side in a battle! I wouldn’t be afraid of what others think, or who I am, or what I can do; I’d be more worried about what He thinks! How often I find myself lacking in that I do not live each moment as though He was in complete charge of my life; I still try to grab the steering wheel!

Wisdom is found in the fear of God. It’s a kind of fear that is full of awe, peace, security, confidence, faith and obedience!

If you are a child of the Most High King, start living like it! Fear no more, be proud no more, worry no more, and live like it really mattered!

Day 4, Job 32-37: How do we view God?

In some ways, this is the most difficult portion of Job for me to understand. Elihu speaks more wisely than the older friends, but still presumes to know the reason for Job's suffering and therefore misapplies the knowledge of God that he points to. Yet he is not mentioned in the last chapter along with the other three in the rebuke given - there the criticism of the other friends is that they have not spoken right about God. This seems to fit, as Elihu's statements about God seem accurate and Scriptural, even though he still misunderstands Job's situation - the other 'friends' both misunderstand the situation and the character of God (Thinking God only operates by good->reward, wicked->suffering), whereas Elihu shows a deeper understanding and a proper focus on God in the midst of suffering.

Though willing to remain quiet while the elder friends talked, when he does speak, Elihu does still focus a lot on himself - most of Job 32 and the early part of 33 is him talking about himself. This lack of humility also seems to come through in 33:9, where he claims Job has said certain things, but Elihu quotes Job as saying more extreme things than were actually said. Often a problem in any communication where someone replies to what they think you have said (usually exaggerated) rather than what you have actually said - in this case Job has not actually claimed to be 'without transgression', with 'no iniquity', although Elihu is right that Job has claimed purity, blamelessness, and being 'in the right' - things God has confirmed, though unbeknown to either party. Again in chapter 36, Elihu claims to be 'perfect in knowledge' and to 'speak on God's behalf'. This lack of humility is shown in the world today frequently, where many claim to speak 'directly from God' either via a "word" or such like - very dangerous, because though his theology is right in many respects, Elihu is not speaking directly on behalf of God - or he would know that Job is indeed blameless.

There are a number of good points that Elihu raises that are sound. His point that God uses punishment for chastening, with a loving purpose reflects better God's character than previous arguments in the book on punishment - though chastening is not relevant to Job's situation. He also raises the point about how insignificant we are to God - nothing good or bad that we do can harm/help Him in itself, because He is so much greater than us. (And yet in His love and a desire for our good He exhorts us to righteousness. He seeks a relationship with us that we do not deserve, because He is relational, and chooses to be grieved and find pleasure in our disobedience and obedience respectively). Elihu reminds us that our focus should not be on ourselves and our own suffering, that it is still wrong to complain and question God, because we do not know His ways. And most importantly, he concludes his argument with a glorious focus on the importance of the centrality of God in our mindset, whether in the midst of suffering or gladness. His Majesty is far beyond all we can imagine and too often we do focus overly much on our own problems and circumstance.


Concluding with a hymn again:

Praise, my soul, the King of heaven;
to his feet thy tribute bring;
ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
evermore his praises sing:
Alleluia, alleluia!
Praise the everlasting King.

Praise him for his grace and favor
to our fathers in distress;
praise him still the same for ever,
slow to chide and swift to bless:
Alleluia, alleluia!
Glorious in his faithfulness.

Father-like, he tends and spares us;
well our feeble frame he knows;
in his hand he gently bears us,
rescues us from all our foes.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Widely yet his mercy flows.

Angels, help us to adore him;
ye behold him face to face;
sun and moon, bow down before him,
dwellers all in time and space.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Praise with us the God of grace.