IF
Today’s Reading: Job 31
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Northwest hillside of the Sea of Galilee. Mount Arbel can be seen in the background. My friend, Jimmy Snow, son of Hank Snow, and Johnny Cash’s Pastor, believes Arbel is the mount where Jesus was transfigured. He is a brilliant student of the Scriptures and was often a guest on the 100 Huntley Street telecast.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Job 31:35
Oh, that I had one to hear me! Here is my mark. Oh, that the Almighty would answer me, that my Prosecutor had written a book!
Job…He does hear you! God, the One you mistakenly think is prosecuting you, has indeed written a book! We are studying it every day on this blog. Job…in today’s reading you’ve used the word “if” 18 times. That word “if” is just a little word, but it is filled with uncertainty. You can be certain and know God answers prayer!
In a handwritten book dated January 20, 1953, my father, Roy Mainse, D.Th, wrote about the conditions of prevailing prayer:
(1) Entire dependence on the merits and mediation of the Lord Jesus Christ as the only way for a claim of blessing! (see John 14:13-14).
(2) Separation from all known sin. Psalm 66:18 tells us, “If we regard iniquity in our hearts, the Lord will not hear us.”
(3) Faith in God’s promises as confirmed by His oath. Not to believe Him is to make Him out to be a liar and perjurer (see Hebrews 6:13-20).
(4) Our motives must be godly; we must not seek any gift of God to consume it on our own selfish desires (see James 4:1-10).
(5) Importunity and supplication! There must be waiting on God with consistency (see Luke 18:1-8).
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, through James, the man known as Your brother, You told us that, “The effective fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:16b). You are the “Righteous One,” therefore, I come to You, Lord God, in and through the Person and work of Your Son and my Saviour and Lord, Jesus Christ. Here are my prayer requests for today ……….. AMEN!!! (I spent considerable time in prayer before composing this blog.)
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I’ve been meditating on that little but powerful word “if.” I went into Google and found the famous poem by Rudyard Kipling written in 1894 entitled “If” (click here). Job might have been helped by this poem. One of the lines says, “If you can wait, and not be tired of waiting, or being lied about, don’t deal in lies, or, being hated, don’t give way to hating…” The poem ends with these words: “If you can fill the unforgiving minute with sixty seconds worth of distance run, Yours is the earth and everything in it, And — what is more— you’ll be a man, my son!” My Dad pointed me to this poem when I was still a child. After his death in 1972, I found amongst Dad’s writings the following poem he wrote in his own handwriting. It’s also entitled “If”…
“If” is a word of great import,
But of such dwarfish dimensions
Using the future to support
It’s great and varied intentions
“If” is a fact like a barn-door hinge,
On which our movements seem to swing,
And we are no doubt hindering
Our best laid plans ere they can wing
Their way into the world of things,
Where they can claim to be a fact,
On which the future thus may act,
And discard “If” forevermore
Among the gods of old folk-lore.
Yours, for reaching out diligently for God’s perfect will,
David
P.S. I came across a picture (below) taken in 1924 of my Dad in front of the place where one of the prayers of Jesus was answered, the tomb of Lazarus. Jesus said on this occasion, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me” (John 11:41-42). This is the reason we pray, “In Jesus’ Name!”
Impressive photo of David’s father and an angel once sat on such a stone and announced Christ’s resurrection. A verse of scripture comes to mind right now. ” IF thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believes.”(Mark 9:23). Dear Brothers and Sisters, would you please pray for me as in the last two weeks I have developed a lump on the back of my neck near my right ear. I am trying to see my doctor today. I really value your prayers. Thanking you in advance and God bless you.
My dr.once told me that most lumps are harmless.There are many possible reasons for the lump.Not-to-worry,you are one of His….I just prayed a ‘fervent prayer’ for you.He may not give you what you want but He will give you what you need.Hugs and blessings
Praying for you Ger !????????
I prefer the poem by David’s Dad!!
I prayed David’s prayer with some of my own
Lord I pray for the lump in Ger’s neck would disappear in Jesus Name and for His peace would enfold you in His Name I pray, Amen!
Praying for you Ger! again I so appreciate and so thankful to have people ask for prayer and I can pray BUT I know that the Lord hears ALL OUR PRAYERS, Thank you Lord,
Ger I know the feeling of waiting, I pray all is well with you. In Jesus Name I pray amen
Praying for you Ger. I had one on back of my neck for a while. Saw a surgeon who said it wasn’t dangerous but he would remove it. After surgery I didn’t have the frequent headaches I’d had. Thankful, so thankful, for that. God is our healer but he often works through doctors He has gifted with skills. May He heal you completely in Jesus Name. ????
Amen Doreen!
Remembering Ger in prayer also.
Heavenly Father, I pray that this lump on Ger’s neck would not be anything to worry about. She is your servant Lord Jesus and I know you can heal her, no matter what the problem is. I ask Lord that she would be able to get an appointment today to see the Doctor. In Jesus Name Amen.
Ger I have memorized Psalm 121, it has been a real help to me this last year with all the things that have happened in our family, hope it encourages you as well.
I really enjoyed the blog this morning. David and his father were wonderful Godly men, this is continuing in the Mainse family. I saw a resemble to Reynold in David’s father. Many Blessings to all Eleanor M.
Ger, prayed for you. Hopefully it is a lipoma. We sometimes watch the Dr. Pimple Popper and you should see some of the lumps she takes off people. One person from London Ontario went to see the doctor and was on the show. The doctors in London would not remove it.
Anyway I’m praying in your case the doctors will be able to remove it and all will be well.
Lord God in Jesus name give Ger peace of mind. Amen.
Thank God for all the faithful ones before us. Lord God, help us also to be faithful in our generation. In Jesus’s name, amen
Thank you William, Doreen, Joy, Eleanor M and Nan. Your prayers are precious to me. I was able to see my doctor this morning, get blood tests, attend a funeral and go to my shopping area which is 30 miles away and get the antibiotic my doctor prescribed. He said it was an infection in my glands and he hopes the pills will cure it. Please pray to that end too dear saints and I don’t have a reaction to these pills. Thank you so much. I heard Psalms 91 at the funeral and it encouraged me as well as Psalm 121 Eleanor M. Thank you. God bless all of you.
my favourite Psalms also, so thankful Ger that you received medication and I thank the Lord that the meds will work; and I thank the Lord that this gland acted up now while you can get some meds, Thank you Lord, I know that You love Ger and will heal her completely. thank you Lord in Jesus Name we Pray amen
Thank you Sah for your prayers. Sorry I overlooked your post. I so appreciate your prayers. You are a faithful warrior for the Lord!