anitasanecdotes

In Job 41 and 42 God finishes His argument with Job. When confronted by God’s greatness, Job is brought to his knees. He repents and God blesses him. God is angry with Job’s three friends but offers grace to them because Job prays to him for mercy.

Job prospers more than he had prospered before. His family grew. Job showed grace toward his family and gave an inheritance to both his daughters and sons.

In Philippians 3 Paul exhorts the people to rejoice in the Lord rather than rejoicing in the law or their possessions.. He warns them against those who still insist on keeping the law of God to attain God’s grace. He relays that he has kept the law but considers it useless because of Christ. Knowing Jesus is the most important thing in Paul’s life. He doesn’t mind having lost everything in Christ’s service because it has allowed him to become more like Christ.

Again, he warns the people about those who teach anything else. They are still dependent upon earthly things. He encourages us to maintain our citizenship in heaven and accept Christ’s transformation of our lives.

In Job 39 and 40 God continues to question Job. This time He speaks of the creatures He has made and asks if Job has done the same or if he is able to care for them as God does.

Job answers that he is of small account in comparison with God. He knows he has no right to speak with Him.

God questions the accusations Job has made against Him. He asks if Job has put down the proud or punished the wicked. God continues on speaking of His power over His creation.

In Philippians 2 Paul addresses the fact that we humans have a tendency to think about ourselves first rather than caring for others. He encourages us to look to others’ interests over our own. He tells us that this is the way Jesus was. Even though He was greater than all of us, He became our servant and ultimately our sacrifice. It was because of his sacrifice that God exalted Him and made Him Lord of all.

We try to make ourselves greater in our own eyes, only to in the end bring ourselves low in God’s eyes. When we make a point of looking out for others God lifts us up. Paul encourages us not to complain and argue since it can cause us to sin.

Paul speaks of sending Timothy and Epaphroditus to them to help them in their struggle of arguing with one another.

Job 37 is the conclusion of Elihu’s speech. A storm is blowing in and Elihu speaks of God’s power. He concludes that we cannot comprehend God or His workings. We cannot find God because of His greatness. God disregards those who are wise in their conceit, which Elihu believes is the case for Job.

In Job 38 God speaks. He asks Job a series of questions. They deal with the workings of the universe. God is asking Job if he has had a part in the establishment and control of all things. These, of course are rhetorical questions since the answer is obviously “No.” God is the one who is in control.

Psalm 88 could have been written by Job. It is the prayer of one who is suffering. The writer is crying out to God for help.

 In Job 35 and 36 Elihu continues to speak. He says that nothing that Job has done, either good or bad, has any effect on God. It doesn’t move God one way or the other. He repeats the friends’ thoughts that God uses affliction to bring wicked people around to the righteous way. He warns Job to be careful that in his anger he shouldn’t risk sinning. Elihu extols the greatness of God and encourages Job to do likewise.

 Philippians 1 begins a letter that is filled with joy. This is one church that Paul rejoices in. He knows that god will continue to bless this church and its ministry.

Paul shares that his imprisonment has been used by God to proclaim the good news. The people are being even bolder in their witness: some out of jealousy of Paul and some in order to encourage him, but Paul rejoices that no matter the reason the gospel is being spread.

He states that he will continue to be bold in his testimony even if it means death. He is at odds which the better state is: to be alive and therefore able to continue his ministry or to die and be with Christ. With this attitude he encourages the Philippian church to remain faithful even in their struggles and suffering. He considers it all a blessing.

Reading these words of Paul, I am struck by his contentment with either life or death. So many of us, even we Christians, are afraid of death. We put our family members through painful treatments to extend their lives if only for a few months. As people of faith we shouldn’t fear death. We have been given the hope of the resurrection in Christ Jesus. We look forward to a future with our loving Lord. Even though we don’t have the ability to fully comprehend how wonderful that life after death is, we should look forward to its coming as much as we treasure our days here. As long as we are able to serve the Lord and given our assurance of life with Christ after death we, like Paul, should consider both good options.

In Job 33 and 34 Elihu proclaims that God confronts us in the night with the deeds we have done. When they need to approach God an intercessor is often necessary to plead for mercy on behalf of the sinner. Elihu offers to be Job’s intercessor. He believes that Job has bee arrogant in his claim that he is innocent. No one is completely innocent in this life. Elihu chastises Job’s friends for not being able to tell him which sins he has committed. Elihu cannot accept that God has done these things to Job without cause. It goes against all of his knowledge of God’s ways. He insists that Job’s very claims are his sin of rebellion against God. Could Elihu have a point?

Luke 24 tells of Jesus’ resurrection. The women go to the tomb to prepare the body and encounter two angels. They tell them that Jesus is alive just as he told them he would be. The women tell the disciples who doubt what they are saying. It is only after they see the tomb that they believe.

Jesus meets some of his followers who are on their way home. They don’t recognize him. They share what has happened. Jesus tells them how He has fulfilled all of the prophesies concerning the Messiah in the law and the prophets. It is only when Jesus breaks the bread with them that evening that they know who he is.

They return to Jerusalem and tell the disciples what happened. At that moment Jesus appears to them and they think they have seen a ghost. Jesus lets them touch his hands and feet. Even then they aren’t sure it’s true. Jesus asks for something to eat. He explains to them how He has fulfilled the law and the prophets and they believe. He leads them to Bethany where he is carried up to heaven. The disciples return to Jerusalem to worship.

Jesus shows himself to us every day but often we do not recognize Him. Ask that He open your eyes to see Him when He comes.

In Job 31 and 32 Job states that if he has done wrong someone should be found who will attest to what he has done. Then he will own up to the wrongdoing. But his friends can not answer Job’s request because he is righteous.

A young man named Elihu is angry that Job has justified himself and that his friends have not brought any charge against him. He has been afraid to speak because of his age but he can hold out no longer.

Psalm 86 is a prayer of supplication. It is filled with praise and thanksgiving to God, not simply a list of requests. When we come to God we should do so out of gratitude for the blessings God has already given us. We must not take God for granted.

Psalm 87  is a tribute to Jerusalem, the city God founded.

In Job 29 and 30 Job remembers the good old days when he was well respected and admired. He addresses and earlier criticism that he was not kind to those in need by expressing that he was well-known for his generosity toward the poor and his justice toward those who had been wronged. His opinion was sought out

Now even the lowest of low mock him. They treat him badly. He lives in pain and agony. Job cries out for mercy. It is somewhat unclear to whom he cries. It could be God, but it could also be to his friends or to those he has helped in the past. It seems possible it is to God since he recounts that he has been faithful to take care of the needy. Either way, Job is crying out for help.

In Luke 23 the priests bring Jesus before Pilate and Herod. Neither could find any guilt in him. Pilate wants to release Jesus but the priests incite the people to demand his crucifixion.

As Jesus is led to the cross he still warns the people about the times to come. Jesus offers forgiveness even in the midst of his anguish. Even the Roman guards recognize his innocence.

After Jesus death the crowds leave. The disciples and the women who followed him remain to watch what is happening. A member of the religious council named Joseph offers his tomb for Jesus body. The women do not have time to prepare his body since the Sabbath is beginning. They get spices and ointments ready for when the Sabbath is over.

In Job 27 and 28 Job says that as long as he has breath and the spirit of God in him he will maintain his integrity and insist upon his righteousness. The wicked may heap up riches but they lack wisdom. We cannot seek out wisdom for it belongs to God alone. For humankind the fear of the Lord is wisdom and to depart from evil is understanding.

Job sees admitting that he is wrong with sin. He refuses to comply just to satisfy his friends. He seeks God’s wisdom and remains in fear of the Lord.

In Luke 22, Jesus and the disciples observe Passover together.  He lets them know that soon he will suffer. Jesus takes familiar elements of the Passover meal and tells them that they represent his body and his blood. This is the beginning of a new covenant with God. The first covenant is based upon the Law. This covenant is based upon God’s grace through the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Jesus reminds the disciples that his is a ministry of service and those who will be great in the kingdom of God will be a servant to others.

He asks Peter to take care of the disciples when he is gone. Peter says he will follow Jesus to death and Jesus tells him he will betray Him three times.

They go to the Mount of Olives to pray. Jesus asks His Father to let things happen another way but accepts that it must go the way it will. Judas kisses him in betrayal to show the guards he is the one they have come for. They lead Jesus to the high priest’s house.

Peter is accused of knowing Jesus and he denies it three times, just as Jesus had said. Those who have taken Jesus ask Him in mocking tones if He is the Son of God. Jesus replies that they have said so. They turn His words around to say that He admits it.

It is blasphemy to say that you are God’s son. While we know that what Jesus says is true, the people believe this is grounds for his execution.

In Job 24 Job observes that there is evil in this world and that people suffer. He questions whether God hears the prayers of the poor and needy. This brings up the theological concept called “theodicy,” which deals with the presence of evil in the world. It asks the question: if God is so loving then why is there pain, suffering and evil? Job who knows he is innocent and does not deserve the situation he is in identifies with all those who are in a like place.  Since he is feeling abandoned by God he is not comforted that God is with him in the midst of his pain. These are questions that are still asked today. It is a difficult topic for which the answers to the questions are hard to come by and accept.  As Christians we know that Jesus told us that there would be tribulation but that He is with us through it all. Although it is difficult we need to rest on his promises and gain strength knowing that Christ understands our pain and is there to help us through it all.

In Job 25 and 26 Bildad speaks to God’s dominion and power. He asks if any human can be considered righteous in God’s presence. Job answers by acknowledging God’s power. When it is used for good purposes it is marvelous, but when it allows things that trouble us Job questions whether we can understand that kind of power.

In Luke 21 Jesus sees a poor widow giving money at the Temple and commends her for giving so much to the Lord. Others give a portion of their wealth; she gives an abundance of her poverty.

Jesus then speaks about the end times, as we call it. He speaks of troubled times throughout the world when Christians everywhere are persecuted for their faith. He encourages them to be on guard, to be alert, and pray.

Each day he teaches in the temple. Each night he goes on the Mount of Olives. People come every moring to hear him teach.

Job 22 and 23 include a conversation between Eliphaz and Job. Eliphaz accuses Job of sinning by omission: not reaching out to the poor and oppressed. Job doesn’t respond to his claims but simply reconfirms his innocence. Eliphaz asks an interesting question about whether God takes pleasure in Job’s righteousness. That, in fact, is what God has done. It is because of His pleasure with Job that He has been confident in Job’s response to tragedy.

Job’s speech reminds me of Psalm 139 regarding the fact that he has looked everywhere and cannot see God. Psalm 139 says no matter where we go God is there. Do you ever have times when you have looked for God and can’t find Him? Just because you can’t see Him, does that mean He isn’t there?  There are times when it appears that God is missing in action…times when God does not seem to be listening to our prayers or at least not answering them. We need to remain confident that these times are not indicators that God is not there. We may be hearing “wait” or “remain strong”. Could these times be God showing His confidence in us to stay the course even in the midst of struggle?  Job insists that he is staying the course. Even though he cannot find God, he is remaining steadfast in following God’s steps.

Psalm 85 is a reminder of God’s past faithfulness and a plea for God again to forgive. It is a confident statement that God will save His people and bring righteousness and love back to them.