SONGS IN THE NIGHT
Today’s Reading: Job 34-35
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
A nighttime view of the Old City of Jerusalem.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Job 35:7, 10
If you are righteous, what do you give Him? Or what does He receive from your hand?…But no one says, ‘Where is God my Maker, Who gives songs in the night?…’
Many questions, but what about answers? Elihu picks up on some of the things Job has said. He points out Job’s statements and then leaves it up to Job to decide whether he is right or wrong. Perhaps we can learn from this. Rather than accusing others of wrong, we can point to God’s thoughts on the matter and the need to consider their actions and reactions toward God. Then we can pray fervently and leave it up to the Holy Spirit to do His work. Jesus said, “When He, the Spirit of truth has come, He will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13a). For a fuller description of the work of the Holy Spirit, we may want to take the time to read Jesus’ teaching found in John 16:1-15.
The second key verse speaks of “songs in the night.” God was there for Paul and Silas in jail: “But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them” (see Acts 16:25-34). We may have many questions that seem to be unanswered, but as we are faithful in reading God’s Word, His answers will be revealed.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, often I come to You in the night hours. I’ve been through what has been called “the dark night of the soul.” Every time You’ve been there to meet me. Sometimes I have had to learn to wait as You are accomplishing Your purposes in my life. I pray for continued grace to listen for Your words of comfort and guidance. In Jesus’ Name I ask this, Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Four years ago Norma-Jean and I received a call from Myles Neilson, our 5-year-old Great-grandson (now 9 years old) with a question for his Great-grandpa. It was such an important question that I asked my fellow bloggers at the time for suggestions in how to answer him. These are the events surrounding that phone call…
Myles said on the phone, “I’ve had a very serious talk with my Mom [Sheryl] and it’s important.” At that point Sheryl picked up the phone and said they would like to come over to our apartment. They arrived around 5 p.m. in time for dinner, and I heard the story. Myles had asked his Mom why he did so many bad things, and even though he tried to be good, it didn’t work. Sheryl asked Myles if he had ever asked Jesus to come and live in his heart. He said, “No, and I’d like to do that.” They prayed together and Myles received Jesus. He had a question for me. He asked his Great-grandpa (and he waited until I could write his question down), “When I pray at night, I ask God to help me to listen. I wake up in the morning, but I don’t think God heard me, because I mess up again. God annoys me because He doesn’t help me. What’s wrong?” I made an attempt at responding to Myles, but I want the help of my fellow bloggers. How would you respond to Myles?
When I wrote about this four years ago, I received the most responses in the history of 100words.ca (click here to read the amazing replies from two years ago).
Yours for “songs in the night,”
David
P.S. Remember that this month is the financial year end for the ministry of Crossroads. Here is Lorna’s message once again…
This has been a remarkable year at 100 Huntley Street with a growing audience on TV and an exploding audience on the web through our website, social media platforms and on You Tube (where we now reach almost 1 million views every month). It’s also looking like a turnaround yearfinanciallybecause we’re SO CLOSE to finishing our fiscal year (August 31) with a balanced budget…the first time in six years! Lots of hard work, cost-cutting, financial restraint and generous donors who believe in this ministry have made this goal achievable. We have exciting, new plans in mind for our new media mission year that begins in September. I’m so committed that Crossroads be Canada’s “megaphone of the Gospel”…and we will not be silent about how Jesus can change lives… Jesus alone offers hope! Your donation today will make a difference in many lives. – Lorna
CLICK HERE TO MAKE A SPECIAL YEAR-END GIFT TO HELP US BALANCE THE BUDGET AND YOUR DONATION WILL BE MATCHED THROUGH A SPECIAL $10,000 CHALLENGE GRANT! YOU CAN ALSO CALL 1-800-265-3100 TO DONATE BY PHONE.
1st of all, David, just to remind you that I am praying for you. Lifting up you and Norma-Jean in my prayers today. Be blessed, be strengthened, be encouraged through Jesus Christ, Our Lord, who said, “Lo, I am with you alway” (also, Isaiah 41:10, one of my favourite verses).
Also, I read again all the comments relating to Miles when he had a serious question about his behaviour at the age of 5. He is now 9 may he continue to love the Lord as God continues to direct his life.
Whether we are 5, 9 or or 85, these question in our heart will always come and the answer for all of us is at “the Altar” – at the foot of the cross trusting in our Redeemer, the Christ of Calvary, Who paid it all. By faith we accept His forgiveness and, if He forgives us, we must learn to forgive ourselves “as He casts our sins in the sea of His forgetfulness” and…as Corrie ten Boom says in one of her books, “God puts up a sign “no fishing”… Satan will accuse… and we may beat ourselves up…but Jesus sets us free… reminding us to walk in the Spirit of His Grace…..s the words of a song reminds us,
“You say: I am weak, I am helpless, I’ve tried again and again, Well, this may be true, but it’s not what you do, ‘Tis He who is might to save.”
“To Thy cross I come Lord,
There for me is room Lord,
Poor, unworthy me, yes, even me;
Pardon every sin Lord,
Place Thy Power within Lord,
And I from this hour will follow Thee”
Blessings to all bloggers!
Sam
What I see and read is a very smart little boy who at his early age asks questions about God! He seems to think that he is bad and always does bad things! He tries to do good things but he feels he is not successful at doing good things!
He had a talk with his mom; he phones his great-grandpa for advice! Whether this little boy realizes it or not, he is doing exactly what God wants him to do!
In my humble opinion this little guy is years ahead of his time! If I were to talk with him I would tell him that I also feel the same way. I try and do good but somehow I seem to get things mixed up! I would tell him that I don’t carry any guilt anymore about trying to do my best and sometimes things just don’t work out the right way! I would share that God knows what I did; I confess my sin if need to do so, I also tell Him that I forgive those who have tried to mess things up in my life, I would certainly mention that my life is one day at a time;
thank you for sharing this story again; many who read it will be moved to keep going forward!
God never said life would be easy! He has just promised to always be with us!
please pray for complete healing for Eva! she spent almost 2 months in hospital! She has lost hope! Lord heal her shoulder and nerve in the hip! TY for her sister who visits almost daily, Holy Spirit enter into Eva`s heart and bring about healing from top to bottom…Thank You Lord for all the blessings you have given Eva in her life…..
we pray the Lords Prayer amen