GOLD
Suggested Reading: Job 22-23
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Looking from the south end of the Golan Heights on the south east side of the Sea of Galilee, you can see a winding road that makes its way up and around the Golan Heights. In the distance you see what was a train track bridge built over the Yarmouk River that was blown-up during the Independence War in 1948 to prevent Arabs from transporting additional troops and ammunition. It seems obvious that God is in the process of restoring His ancient people Israel. Israel has surely been in the furnace of affliction. God is in the business of producing gold in the fires of human history. God will put the final period to the last sentence of human history.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Job 23:10
But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.
Again today we can see the contrast between Job and his friend. Eliphaz assumes the worst about Job, but Job does not retaliate. Job longs for God. He makes strong statements of genuine faith in God, as in our key verse. Yes, Job is asking, “Why?” Jesus asked, “Why?” while on the Cross. It’s not too hard to express faith in God when everything is going well, but when the bottom seems to have dropped out of our world, faith is put to the test. Job may not yet receive a mark of 100% on his test, but he is definitely headed that way.
Eliphaz did get one thing right. In Job 22:22, he says, “Receive, please, instruction from His [God’s] mouth, and lay up His words in your heart.” This is what we are doing in this blog each day. Let us all keep on keeping on! Today is reading 445 out of 730. Please, “Let us not be weary in well doing!” (Galatians 6:9). Paul gives us great counsel on how to help people who are in trouble (read Galatians 6:1-10 for a New Testament reading).
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I pray that I will “fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). Grant me grace to “love my neighbour as myself” (Matthew 22:39). May I “not lose heart” (Galatians 6:9b). May I “do good to all” (Galatians 6:10). In the Name of the One who always does good to all, including me, Jesus Christ! Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I keep singing to myself a song about Job that I heard an evangelist named Jack Coe sing over 57 years ago. It’s called “Job’s God Is True.” If I can find the song I’ll attach it (click here). The words bring together two statements of Job: “Though God slay me, yet I’ll trust Him,” and then, “I shall come forth as gold.”
At 19 years old, as a first-year Bible College student, I became very ill. The doctors even despaired of my life. My brothers and sisters in the faculty and student body went into a time of fasting and prayer and I was restored to health and strength. That school in Peterborough, Ontario, is now called, “Master’s College and Seminary.” They continue to be strong in faith and in the detailed study of God’s Word. I recommend to all a time of concentration in the Bible at Master’s. They offer online “distance education” courses as well (click here for information). I think that such a college is vital, particularly in the preparation of those God has called to be Pastors, Evangelists, Ministers, and more effective servants of the Lord than we might otherwise be. My grandson, Eric Mainse, is a third-year student there. God miraculously preserved his life when he was a child. God’s purpose is being fulfilled in his life and in the lives of hundreds of others. Eric’s story is in my book, “This Far by Faith” (to order my book click here).
Yours, going for “gold,”
David
In God, Job was an overcomer; in God, we too are overcomers. In Romans 10:13 it sates that “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved”. This is a promise from God’s Word. Just as Job trusted in the God of His salvation, so we too may trust in the God of our salvation. Job knew it, Paul knew it, and we also may know this truth today. May we all come into an intimate knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, and call out to the God of our salvation who is willing and sure to save us today.
Oh how I love when you smd Norma Jean sing
We ve come this far by faith , I wish you would make a Cd of all the songs you and Norma Jean have sung together yhst would ne a real blessing to all of us .I love the life of Job He was a real man of great faith .When we go through trials and temptations we want God to find us faithful and we know at the end of the trial we will be much stronger in Him .I have gone through mamy trials in my lfetime and have lost my only son in 1977 and have lost my home and have lost all that I owned and have lost my job , my 7 grandchildren out of 14 my 2 daughters hasnt spoken to me for 2 years my rihht arm was hurt in a slip and fall accident in 2009 as well as my job was gone from falling at work and I know that God has never failed me in taking care of me and giving me my husband back after 9 years and giving us a beautiful appartment and beautiful furniture and He has put people in my life that love me so through it all I can say I ve learned to trust in Jesus and to depend upon His precious word Thats another song you and Norma Jean has sung together please make a cd for us of all the songs you have sung with your beautiful wife
I love you David and Norma Jean because while I was going through my struggle you both were there Praise God for your precious LOVE
GOD BLESS YOU BOTH DEAR HEARTS
Thanks for sharing Brenda. Blessings for your steadfast trust in Jesus.
Jack Coe’s song sums up the story of Job well. Job states he has treasured the words from God’s mouth more than necessary food. We are put through trials in life, both physically and mentally which can ultimately, “purify us as gold.” Job says, “I was not cut off from the presence of darkness.”
Otherwise, we would we not be in Eden’s Garden without original sin. As you have pointed out David, it is true God allows what is appointed for us in life and in our humanness we may sometimes only ask, “why?” I believe He does not hide deep darkness from our face so we may turn to the light of Christ, in prayer and worship, and rise up in the Holy Spirit. Blessings in His strength today, to all!
Eric’s story: That Day
Is a wonderfully inspiring story, pages 180 – 183
This Far by Faith
When I was a child, I imagined the land of milk and honey “literally.” When I was born again at 18 years old, I still partially thought of it that way. The picture on the Golan Heights reminds me of this description. The Promise of New Jerusalem is spiritual but it will be even better.
Brenda, thank you for sharing your faith in
the midst of the testing of your faith. Deut.8
has been such a blessing to me when being
tested. God is good, God is faithful, God
is trustworthy….we lift our praise and worship
to Him this morning as we all remember His
Almighty power and goodness in our lives,
keeping us, molding us, and thru it all trans-
forming us to be more like Him. Bless the Lord
O my soul and all that is within me bless His
holy name.
We are getting rain…thank you Lord!!!
Enjoy His presence in all you do today dear ones.
Faith
amen Scott
Lianne Hogg
I did not live a life that put Jesus first for much of my life but he kept his promise. Unlike Job, God did punish me with afflictions for my sins but to save me. In this I met very perverted and evil people. There is a pit in this world also and it is full of people trying to bring other people into it. With Job, his afflictions were not for any faults of his own. With me, they were God’s way to save me. I am grateful that God broke my life and saved my soul. I still have afflictions. They are not against my health and they are no longer for sins but are persecutions for my faith in Jesus. He is now separating those who believe and Hope, in Him, and love Him, from the world by allowing the world to persecute those who believe in Him. There are perverse people in the world but God will redeem from sin those who repent for real and He will separate them spiritually from those who don’t. God’s ways are amazing.
We learned in a sermon from Psalm 13 last week it is okay to ask God “how long” or “why” but to Trust Him for His TIming. God is sovereign and I have found Him to be right in the midst of a trial we are going through these last two years which involves our son. Not only has he restored our son to himself, but He has shown us how to fully surrender to HIs path for us and I know we will see HIs hand of deliverance at His appropriate time.
I am enjoying Job so very much, as it makes our trials seem so little.
Enjoy this day The Lord has given s fellow saints.
Thank you for sharing your life stories, David and fellow bloggers. Trials develop perseverence and character as it did for Job. He found out in the end that he could trust in his God and that He was faithful. I plan to stay with this blog to the end, David. Am really a couple books on Job and a few years ago, I heard Jack Coe, Jr. and have his book, “40 Days to Faith” about his struggle against cancer. Be of good cheer everyone.
Praise God that He is faithful through difficult times. I left His side for several years and due to trials with my children I returned to His side.He waited patiently for my return. I thank God everyday for His love, His promises in scripture and His faithfulness. Thank you PastorDavid for 100words. It has been a true blessing for me and many many others. Gods blessing and healing power over you!
Bear one anothers burdens and fulfill the Law of Christ. So uplifting again this morning the personal testimonies given so generously by many of our fellow saints .
Thank you David M. for sharing the words of this beautiful song
Though I struggle — I ll not stagger
By His Grace– I ll make it through
For His Grace is all sufficient
And I know that God is true.
Have a blessd day everyone
xxxx Carole.
Thankyou God bless you and Thankyou again!
thanks for the link to Job’s song, David M. Did Norma-Jean sing this too? The link you gave only showed lyrics.
I found a music/singing version on You-tube as well as a song re:Paul’s ministry.
Just to know God is faithful and true…a Rock on which I can lean…Praise His Holy Name
🙂