GOLD

Today’s 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 on our two-year journey through the Bible. 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, Jesus Christ! Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORD-

I keep singing to myself a song about Job that I heard an evangelist named Jack Coe sing almost 60 years ago. It’s called “Job’s God Is True.” If I can find the song I’ll attach it (click here for the lyrics). 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 and his wife Kara are recent graduates. God miraculously preserved Eric’s 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). Eric is Youth Pastor and Kara is Children’s Pastor at New Life Church in Brantford, Ontario (click here).

Yours, going for “gold,”

David

With my grandson, Eric David Mainse, and his wife Kara earlier this year at their Graduation from Masters College and Seminary. I look short beside six-foot-eight Eric!