Contributed by Pastor Bruce Tully, Lancaster, PA

Posted on 2009-02-04 17:55:07

It has been very interesting as we've begun working through the Bible one day at a time. I pray that you have been taking advantage of this program this new year. Knowing that I can read the entire Bible in 365 days by spending just 15 minutes each day takes some of the pressure off!

 

One of the benefits is that this program is sparking discussion. Individuals are asking questions, and Sunday school classes find themselves caught up in discussion for part of their class time. Any time we are prompted to talk about and ask questions about God's Word we ought to celebrate!

 

 

I know that a few of you have some concerns with parts of the Bible, and rightly so. Job is a particularly difficult story to read, especially for the first 19 chapters. A righteous man, allowed to be tested, loses everything that is precious in the world to him. Seems a bit awful, doesn't it? But the glory of the story is that God has such faith and confidence in this faithful man that he can let this happen. I wonder who among us inspires such trust?

 

And, while Job is faced with devastating losses of his worldly possessions, he never loses the one thing that is most precious-his faith. Having listened to his so-called friends berate him and beat him up instead of bringing him comfort, Job calls them out. He asks, "How long will you torment me and crush me with words?" He knows God is not against him!

 

Near the end of the 19th chapter we read the words that come unexpectedly and with forceful adoration and glory: "I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes-I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!" (Job 19:25-27)

 

Each year many of us face trials and difficulties in our own lives. It feels like everything is crashing down around us and everyone is against us. But Job's words, like those of Paul, remind us that God is for us, and if God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31) We can't always tell when our friends, our family, or anybody in our sphere of influence is truly trying to help us, or if they are working against us. Sometimes they truly aren't sure themselves why they act as they do or say what they do! It's the influence of the ruler of this world that works negatively in our lives. But rest assured that God will remain faithful and true, despite the problems we face. As Jesus explained in Matthew, God takes care of even the tiny sparrows. And if he does that, will he not take care of you? "You are worth more than many sparrows." (Matthew 10:31b)

 

I pray we continue to learn, and to be challenged, and to be faithful. Sometimes our understanding is stretched-the Bible often takes us far outside our comfort zone. But every word of the Bible is "God-breathed, (inspired of the Spirit), and is useful for teaching and rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness..." (1 Timothy 3:16)

 

Everything in God's Word points to Christ, and thus, to hope. If we do not have hope, we have nothing of real value. Treasure the words and the stories, and take away from it all this message of hope in the Lord.

 

God's blessings!

 

Pastor Bruce Tully

 

Lancaster, PA