Insightful Musings on the Scripturesby
Ray Sparre, NU class of '67
Ray has a wealth of experience as a Husband, Father, Pastor, Missionary, and student of the Word. He believes and practices his faith where the rubber meets the road. You'll find his writings to be practical, insightful, and grounded in a truly Christ-centered world view.
Below are links to a printable daily Bible reading guide which Ray has followed, and an archive of all his daily devotional writings for 2010 and 2011.
| Sparre Home Page | Daily Reading Guide | 2011 Devotion Archives | 2010 Devotion Archives |
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28 Oct 11
Hello, dear people.
It’s already dark…and it’s raining. I’m really not ready for rain. That’s also typical. After I send this off I plan to go back out to the shop to carry on with some other work. There really seems to be no end of it.
Have a good evening.
Love, Dad/Ray
28 October 2011
Job 7
Focus: “Therefore I will not keep silent; I will speak out in the anguish of my spirit, I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.” Job 7:11.
Eliphaz had consumed two chapters with the pronouncement of his eloquent opinion to Job. Not to be out-done, Job takes up two chapters for his response (I’m kidding—I don’t really think he was competing for time and volume). He firstly addresses his “friends,” but now turns to address God in the presence of his “friends.”
Job spells out before God his list of complaints. I think it’s quite OK to give Job, and others so afflicted, space to complain, even if their perspectives are skewed by their trouble. It offers a kind of relief-valve to the internal pressure of their suffering, and allows both the speaker and the hearer to examine the contents of the heart for quality. If it’s just secretly internalized, there could be an explosion in the boiler.
Of this I am sure: GOD IS NOT OFFENDED BY HONEST QUESTIONS AND COMPLAINTS. It is that deceitful and manipulative stuff that turns Him off. I think it’s all part of the principle and advice that Peter gives following his experience with trouble and struggle. You have to know that he learned a thing or two the hard way. “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6-7).
I have to give Job high marks on two points: (1) Job never doubts the existence of God. There are many who regard God as some kind of cosmic genie who will grant their wishes if they say the right words or do adequate penance. “When you wish upon a star—makes no difference who you are—When you wish upon a star your dreams come true.” Oh, really? Wouldn’t that be nice! But that form of “godliness” is simply not substantiated by real life or careful examination of Scripture. So when God doesn’t step up to deliver as some think He should, they write Him off. Not good. (2) Job never disrespects God. Even though he is suffering intensely, and he knows God knows, He doesn’t give in to demeaning God. In contrast we are surrounded by a world that not only disrespects God—they despise Him, and anyone who seeks to honor Him.
Speaking of the world around us, I observe that there are many who have not lost their wealth and possessions (they may be filthy rich), they have not lost their families (they may be overloaded with family), they have not lost their fame (they may be applauded movie stars), they have not lost their health and good looks (they may have Cover Girl or Mr. America bodies), but they are as empty of a sense of purpose and meaning as Job—in fact more so—because they have eliminated the GOD FACTOR from their thinking. There are too many cases of people so described blowing their brains out or overdosing on drugs in an attempt to escape their unbearable prison of purposelessness. The songwriter was grateful for the resource of the GOD FACTOR when he wrote, “Where could I go but to the Lord?” At least when Job vents his sense of purposelessness he does so for some pretty good reason—and he does so before God. “I despise my life; I would not live forever. Let me alone; my days have no meaning.” Personally, I think Job is doing the best thing he can. Crying out to God at heart level is definitely the best psychotherapy I know of.
I want to say, “Hang on Job! Keep trusting God! You only have a few more chapters to go—and you will get the ride of your life!” I don’t how many chapters you have left, but I could say about the same to you. Keep hanging on and trusting—because “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" (1 Corinthians 2:9).
“God’s promises are life preservers that keep the soul from sinking in the sea of trouble.”