Archive for May, 2018
Job’s Deeper Meaning
It is fitting that from the very beginning, long before the redemptive work of the Messiah was even foretold, we have a type of Christ where we see the anguish, the depths of suffering, and the physical, emotional, and mental pain seen in the character of Job. This book provides us with great insight into the tremendous sacrifice and suffering that Jesus willingly took on for us, so that we might gain salvation. Without His suffering, we would not have that solution to our problem.
Job’s Enlightenment
When we suffer because of our relationship with Christ, we are to consider ourselves blessed. This is extremely difficult for most of us because we continue to harbor the erroneous idea that if God is for us, then He will bless us and that is often seen in material blessings. The upshot of Job is that our blessings that count the most are the ones procured in the spiritual realm. These are the ones that moth, rust, or thief cannot take away. Satan is often allowed by God to “sift” us but only for God’s purposes.
Job’s Problems
Once again, God gives Satan permission to actually harm Job in his person. This points one more time to God’s absolute sovereignty over all Creation. Satan can do nothing to you or me unless God allows it. This is such an important point that we actually need to spend time contemplating its ramifications. There is another point that you are possibly thinking about as well and we will do our best to answer it. The question, “Why does God allow this type of evil to come to a person in the first place, especially when that person is apparently completely dedicated to God?” That question has an answer and it is brought out in the book of Job. It does not come right to the point though, but stretches out over the course of the 42 chapters contained within it.
Music That Moves the Emotions
How many times have you cried at a sad scene in a movie? I’m sure you’ve done it but not necessarily for the reason you think. Sure, the scene itself might have been touching with actors doing a very good job of selling the scene making you forget you’re watching a movie. But the most important aspect of that scene was put in during post-production: the music and sound effects. Gifted movie music composers create music that compliments each scene and helps drive that scene and bring out the required viewer’s emotions.
It’s Really About Obedience, Pt 2
King Asa took what the prophet told him and became even more encouraged to do the right thing as far as God was concerned! He went even further and gained strength from Azariah’s words so that he had the courage to rid the land of idols. Then the next few verses tell us that Asa offered many offerings to the Lord. Because of this, all of Judah rejoiced and gained new strength to renew their covenant with the Lord.
It’s Really About Obedience, Pt 1
I’m inclined to think that this happened to Rehoboam during his third year of ruling. He began possibly to pat himself on the back. Things were going very well. He was using wisdom to make good decisions. His sons were helping him rule throughout Judah. Look at all the blessings coming into Judah as well! So maybe Rehoboam began to relax his standards where God was concerned. All of a sudden, he’s simply doing his own thing and ignoring God’s rule. The people of Judah saw that it was no longer important to their king, so they adopted the same attitude. This is a lesson for us Christians as well. People “read” our lives and they wind up making judgments about God based on what they see in us.
Should Christians Fear God?
Christians who do not have a very healthy, reverential fear of God do not understand who God is and the power that He wields. He brought this world into Creation out of nothing (ex nihilo). Everything that we see, we enjoy, we benefit from, God made. He did so for His own glory, not ours.
We must put ourselves in our proper place and understand things from God’s perspective. He made us for Himself. God has every right to expect people – especially Christians – to live for Him, to bring glory to Him. Think of how many people go through this life never recognizing God and their actual purpose for being here? It’s scary to consider. How often are we Christians guilty of adopting a laissez-faire attitude where God is concerned? Paul would warn us that this ought not to be.
Solomon’s Legacy with God’s Granted Wisdom
Because Solomon was only concerned about ruling over God’s people of Israel justly, and because of that, only wanted true wisdom that came from God Himself to be able to be the best king that he could be, God granted his request and then blessed him beyond what he had asked for.
Solomon was not perfect by any stretch. He made some mistakes, starting with the fact that he married women who were not of Israel and with them, even gave them permission and places to worship foreign gods. It created problems for Solomon and Israel later on.
But at the beginning, Solomon’s heart was turned to God. Solomon understood the awesome responsibility of ruling over a group of people such as Israel. It was not something to be undertaken lightly. Solomon knew he needed tremendous wisdom in order to rule justly and fairly, something that most kings after Solomon never expressed.
Religious OCD or Scrupulosity
So essentially, Matt’s counselors believed that to remove his fear of the devil, he should take up those things that are aligned with the devil – his name, his number, hell itself, etc. He also listened to music that created images of the devil in the lyrics. But notice how the very last sentence – We were breaking the association between God and fear – actually addresses the subject of God, not the devil. Were they trying to break Matt’s fear of God or the devil? If the devil, why equate the devil with God? This is aubtle way of programming Matt to see no real difference and that maybe, just maybe, these two personalities are simply forces in the world we think of as good vs. evil, yin and yang, etc.
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