"He does not let the wicked live..."
Job 36:1
"If they [the wicked] listen and obey God, they will be blessed with prosperity throughout their lives."
Job 36:11
Job 36:1
"If they [the wicked] listen and obey God, they will be blessed with prosperity throughout their lives."
Job 36:11
My Take-Aways: Something Old:
Job 36:1
I am wicked. This not an adjective I want used when describing me. So thankful for a Savior who died so I might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21)
Something New:
Job 35:21
"Be on guard! Turn back from evil, for God sent this suffering tokeep you from a life of evil."
Adversity can be used for our good and our protection.
Something to Do:
Listen and obey God.
Job 35:12
"And when they cry out, God does not answer because of their pride." Ask God to help me stay humble.
27 Comments:
WOW! Today's reading was so good it made it worth it to have slogged through Job for all these many days. Elihu is one smart dude!
Old/new: Job 35:16 "God is leading you away from danger, Job, to a place free from distress." Elihu is reminding us that following God's word is not something we do for God's benefit, but for our own, in order to gain "the peace that passeth all understanding." (Philippians 4:7)
New: Job 36:14 "Stop and consider the wonderful miracles of God." Oh how I feel that so often. God is there in all his glory in the storms, in the full moon, in the singing birds, and the ceaseless tides. And He is there in all His glory inside of me. Albert Einstein (another smart dude :) said:
"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."
Take away: Job 36:24 "No wonder people everywhere fear Him. All who are wise show Him reverence." I want to be wise, and to have the peace that passeth all understanding. There have been days, and even whole weeks when I have felt that peace, and it makes me strive for it always. I want to stay close to God's word (thank you Wendy and bloggy friends for giving me such an enjoyable way to do that.) I had evidence in my life this week that if I do so, God's word will bring me that peace. At work this week I got a bit too "wise in my own eyes", but being close to His word, I was quickly convicted, I confessed my sins to God, and peace has been restored to my soul. PTL!
A fruitful Friday to you all!
Love,
Michelle
May all of you have a Blessed Day and thank you Wendy for the wonderful message. A great way to start of Friday....If I will listen and obey God I will be blessed wit prosperity throughout my life.....this is so good I am going to share with my friends and family today......thanks
Blessed in Louisiana
Wendy I am convicted of being wicked also. Praise God that He made a way to step out of my wicked shoes and be with Him!
Old: Pride was a theme in the first part of our reading. "God does not answer because of their pride" "He shows them their sins of pride - He gets their attention"
Pride is a sin I struggle with daily. If I don't deal with it God's gonna get my attention regarding it.
New: Job 36:16 God is leading Morgen away from danger to a place free from distress and He is setting my table with the best food. Yippee! Thank you God for an early glimpse of Heaven!
Nugget: The fear of God is true wisdom. Job 37: 24 May I always fear, revere, and honor You Lord.
Yay it's Friday!
Morgen
Happy Friday, Powerful word today Wendy! Thanks
1)heard in a new way; Job 35:8 'No, your sins affect only people like yourself, & your good deeds also affect only humans.' Our actions both good & bad are like a stone thrown into water. The ripples fan out from my actions & touches others in ways I don't always realize. Job 35:17 'But you are obsessed with whether the godless will be judged. Don't worry, judgment & justice will be upheld.' This is both a blessing & a curse. I will be judged & given justice.
2)did not know; Job 35:4 Elihu (the 4th man to speak to Job) is a man of great knowledge. We all need a Elihu in our lives. My sister Veronica is mine. Her insights are always a blessing to me.
3)nugget; Job 36:26 'Look, God is greater than we can understand. His years cannot be counted' I need to stop putting God into a box, so He can fit neatly in to my life. God is bigger & better then that.
Have a wonderful & safe weekend.
Blessings & Peace Mary
Happy Friday Dear Friends ~
Wendy, thank you so very much for the time and devotion you are giving to prepare a link for all of our unsaved husbands. I know God is "greater than we can understand," (Job 36:26) and the more I walk with him, the more clearly I realize, "[I] cannot imagine the power of the Almighty[!]" (36:23). God has drawn each of us to this blog for a particular reason. I love each one of you. It's refreshing being surrounded each day by others' that also enjoy studying God's Word.
Dear Lord, May we each seek to know you more today. Open our eyes to see things we do not see, and clear out our ears so that we can hear your whisper. May you, be our focus! I love you with all of my heart. In Jesus name, Amen.
Hugs & prayer's,
Lori
Thank you Wendy for listening and being rebuked & trained. We are benefitting as well by that training! We are blessed by God through you.
Yesterday we had the opportunity in Oklahoma to see the wonders of God. We had a "Winter Storm" although not as bad as they thought it still shut down schools and even my husband's company closed yesterday and today. Which leads to my thoughts:
"He directs the snow to fall on the earth and tells the rain to pour downn. Then everyone stops working so they can watch his power.....He makes these things happen either to punish people or to show his unfailing love." job 36:6,7, & 13.
Nugget:
I am reminded that these life happenings are not just unintentional and an inconvenience as we might see it. It is an opportunity that I can't miss - not only to see God's power but also his unfailing love for me and my family. He has given me a chance of rest and an opportunity to show my family unfailing love. Lord let me use this time wisely. I have been rebuked as well and I am prayerful God will use it to do good works! Praise God for His Word!
Stay warm and enjoy your Friday!
Meredith in OK
Another powerful day of scripture! Wendy, thank you!
I sent yesterday's "vlog" to my "Elihu" for her to read! This morning, I pulled out a DIFFERENT chronological Bible to do some research for my Sunday School lesson. Y'all, it flipped open to yesterday's Elihu reading! That's not a coincidence...that's God! He's trying to get my attention!I would love for you all to lift up my youngest son this weekend--I've already called "Elihu!" Jacob and his church basketball team are traveling down to Charleston for a tournament. Please pray for traveling mercies and good health for him and the team! They are calling for yucky weather tomorrow as Wendy mentioned yesterday. We southerners don't know how to drive in snow and ice!We just know how to stock up on bread and milk!I don't want to worry...I just want to have peace that surpasses all understanding. Thank you all so much. Have a great weekend!
Hugs!
Susan
Morning,
Wendy thank you for the teaching this morning and for what you are doing for us to bind together to see lives saved! Wow, I am so excited and full of hope about what is going to do this year in this family we have here! I know we are going to see salvations pour forth from heaven as we pray. I will work on getting the prayer blog back up and going over the next few days and let you all know. It can be used as another resource we have along with Wendy's list to pray.
My nuggets of truth today were Job 36:8-15. This passage spoke to me about how God will use our troubles and our chains to get us to turn to Him. He allows things to come into our lives and for us to suffer the consequences of our sins so we will turn our eyes and hearts to Him. When God found me I was in a tangled mess and He lovingly came in and untangled that mess. It hurt, but the end results have been worth what I had to go through to let Him untangle the web of trouble (36:8). My application is not to let hardships and suffering cause me to be filled with resentment and bitterness but instead cry out to God. Joyce Meyer says "You can be bitter or you can be better." I want to let things make me better and not bitter!
Meredith, we are in for the snow that you just had today. Schools are all closed and they are saying up to 5". We might not get all they said based on what you have said today, but the same verse caught my attention because of the weather :) DH had taken off work to go to Will's birthday party this afternoon but we have had to reschedule it for Feb 12th due to the possibility of bad roads. It just gives him something to look forward to.
Have a blessed day everyone! Will let you know when I have the blog up and going. Do you all want the list of names posted on that one as well?
In Him,
Brandee, TN
PS If you guys have not read today's P31 Devotion by Karen Ehman you need to go read it. It is VERY good and one all women need to be reminded of :)
Good morning Wendy,
I am new to the comments. I have been reading along however, since you started.
You came and spoke to a church in Columbus, Ga in December, and I enjoyed it so much!
Just want to say that I appreciate your obedience to the Lord. I am being blessed by your comments, and others as well.
I have never read through the whole book of Job before, and am wondering why! It is so full of wonderful truths.
Thank you for your comments today!
Very true.
God Bless,
Jennifer G. from Columbus, GA
Meredith, we're in for the same winter storm that you've seen, and it's to hit us tonight. We're supposed to get 8-10 inches of snow - a huge amount for us here! - and just a bit south of us, up to 3/4" of ice. My Elihus and I had planned to go to a Fresh Grounded Faith conference this weekend and can't now. I'm wondering what God is planning to do both here and in VA when we finally get to go!
My nuggets:
- Job 35:16 "God is leading you away from danger, Job, to a place free from distress." At a recent Michael W. Smith concert he said that when he faced trouble, he no longer asked God "Why?" but "What? What are You doing through this??" I need to change my perspective to this!
- Job 35:21 "Be on guard! Turn back from evil, for God sent this suffering to keep you from a life of evil." It seems like we cry out to God the most when we're hurting. This reminds me of Mark 13:35 "Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn." We should guard our hearts against evil and watch for Jesus.
Wendy, thanks so much for all that you're doing! I'm learning so much from this. :-)
Amy
NC
Well, I have been reading and watching the vlog since the beginning of the year! This is the first I have the courage to respond. I would like to say Thank you to all for your encouraging words and spiritual insights to our readings. Thank you so much, Wendy for sharing and leading us. I wish everyone a great weekend!
Blessings of this wonder-full Friday!
Today's reading is so power-full!
It is exciting as God approaches in the gathering storm (Job 37:1-5) and he is revealed to the eye by the lightening and to the ear by the thunder. Can you imagine what Job and his friends must have been feeling? WOW!
My notes for today say "Stop, Look & Listen...God is approaching!"
My familiar but new is Job 35:1-14 "But it is wrong to say God doesn't listen, to say the Almighty isn't concerned. You say you can't see him, but he will bring justice if you only wait."
My had not noticed before is Job 36:5 "God is mighty but he does not despise anyone. He is mighty in both power and understanding."
My To Do:
"Stop and consider the wonderful miracles of God" Job 37:14
Pausing as I walk into my weekend to stop, look and listen for the miracles of our Almighty God who sees, hears and listens to us every minute of every day...who is mighty in both power and understanding and who will bring justice if we will only wait.
Amen, amen, amen!
Liz
Alaska
Amy - great quote from Michael W. Smith. Instead of asking "why" ask "what." That is a good one to remember.
Wendy, thanks for clearing up that prosperity definition. When I read it last night I was reminded of the prosperity teachings on TV and the flags just went up. I like what you said that the definition of prosperity does not involve wealth and cars.
It must be one of those days because I was a little put off by Elihu. 36:2 ...For I have not finished defending God... (God does NOT need defending!)
Setting that aside, I picked a to do, 36:21a: "Be on guard! Turn back from evil..." All around us there is a spiritual battle going on. It will intensify as we pray for our unsaved spouses. The enemy does not like to lose ground. So we need to be alert to the wrenches he will use to distract us. He may cause us to be too busy that we lose time in the Word. We need to be vigilant and put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6) everyday!
Be on guard for satan prowls around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. But it also said in 2 Chron 16:9 "The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him." So as one commentary said, the devil may be looking for someone to devour but God is looking for someone to empower.
Have a blessed day, everyone!
Did the reading, haven't had time for the vlog and think I want to read again. Too many distractions.
Hope to come back later with a my Nuggets.
Have a great day!
Lynn - OR
Happy Friday Everyone, In Florida today we are enjoying beautiful weather, wish I could send it to those who are facing storms today, but then maybe you would miss the blessings that are coming your way.
Job's friends have been by his side throughout this tragedy in his life, but I am amazed at the insight of Elihu. I do not have a Elihu in my life right now and I truly miss that. I thank all of you who are posting and supporting those of us who are walking alone.
I was shaken when I read 35:16 "God is leading you away from danger Job, to a place free from distress." This so touched my personal life today and it was an opportunity of witnessing to my husband as well.
Wendy, loved your post that even though we are wicked we are assured of His righteousness through the saving power of Jesus.
Like you Amy, I need to change my "Why, God" to "What, God" what should I pay attention to?
Blessings,
BettyL
Wendy, thank you so much once again for your wonderful insight. It is so wonderful to take God's word scripture by scripture and study it together with you, hear from you and all the other wonderful comments from this group!
New: Pride. Elihu speaks of pride many times. He is telling Job that he is full of pride by saying he's righteous before God because of all his good deeds(remember Job's long list of good deeds he spoke of in Chapter 29), and for saying God doesn't listen or bring evil to justice. Elihu's rebuke in Job 35:7 got me: "If you are good, is this some great gift to him? What could you possibly give him?"
This was so convicting to me and I bet to Job as well. Often we think we aren't like the wicked (as you mentioned Wendy) and that we want to get comfortable with our good deeds, even prideful. This is so wrong and Job certainly was guilty, as am I. I must remain humble before God!
Something Old: Job 37:14. I love this verse! "Pay attention to this, Job. Stop and consider the wonderful miracles of God!"
Job had become "obsessed with whether the godless will be judged" as Elihu put it and not remembering that's God's job and in His perfect wisdom and timing, He will deliver justice. Elihu wants Job to get his mind of that which is God's job and focus on God's goodness and miracles.
A wonderful reminder in our difficult times not to get impatient with God about why/when He'll deliver us and just seek His face/His goodness instead of seeking Him only for a solution.
Something to do: Stay humble. Remember to seek God for who He is, not for just what He can do for me. If I focus on His face, getting to know Him better, I won't be so focused on my problems!
Blessings to you all today!
Jodi
Wendy, thank you for opening up the meaning of prosperity. I cringe when I hear that word because I am so sick of the 'bless me' club. The light you shown on it today needs to be spoken of more!
36:16 hit me. God is leading you away from danger, {Danielle} to a place free from distress.
There are so many times in my life I get in the flesh and wonder why God is doing, such and such, when I should be thanking Him because He knows best and He probably saved me from something that could have the potential to hurt me greatly.
Good Morning from CT and thanks for all the great insights from Wendy and the group! I am so thankful for all of you - especially today - I came up sort of empty with today's reading. I can't WAIT for GOD to show up tomorrow (yes, I peeked ahead!!).
My take away was in 35:13-14 where Elihu says it is wrong to say God doesn't listen, to say the Almighty is not concerned. You say you can't see him but he will bring justice if you will only wait. Haven't we all heard the song that says, "When you can't trace His hand, trust His heart." I love this reminder to walk by faith and not by sight.
I have not used a Strongs before but Wendy, you are piquing my curiosity - I am going to start!
I love the idea of praying for our husbands and I look forward to seeing the list in its entirety. Praise God, my husband, Mike, knows Him. But right now he is traveling in Asia for business for almost 3 weeks - it's exhausting just to think about. Since Asia is 13 hours ahead, he does his work there, then gets back to the hotel and starts the day with his work here in the states. So I would love for people to be praying for him - for his health, safety and that he would, in the midst of working almost 24/7, take time to be with God.
Thanks so much and God's favor on all of you!
Val
Great teachings in this book of Job and great insights from everyone! I have a huge praise to God! After over 15 months of unemployment, my hubby has a job! He will be leaving Tuesday for Williamsburg, VA driving all the way across the country. Please pray for God to surround him with his protection and traveling mercies. I also want to say that during this time of unemployment, God provided and I want to give him all the praise and thanks! Thank you for praying for him and I will be witnessing to him before he leaves about how important it is for him to be saved. I know a seed has been planted in him but it needs major watering. Only God knows and I'm trusting in Him.
All you southern bells have a safe weekend. I'm from Georgia so I know how everything shuts down (which is the smart thing to do).
God bless,
Karen - cent. OR
Happy Snowy Friday,
Isn't God awesome? His timing is something else. I am experiencing Job 37: 6-7 with rain and sleet last night and snow all day today. I stop working and watch His power. A red-headed woodpecker came to eat my cat's food on our porch. Let everything that has breath Praise the Lord!
God is my Creator: El Elyon.
God is all-powerful: El Shaddai.
God is mighty, just, and righteous. Elihu reminds us of our Savior's attributes.
Stop and consider, (daughter/your name), the wonderful miracles of God. Job 37:14 Do we stand in awe of the Almighty and His works or just sluff it off making excuses?
Guilty!
I didn't know that the words listen and obey ome from the same word. It's easy to listen to God, but obeying is hard when it requires faith. Are you with me? I want to be blessed, so here goes.
My Elihu is my daughter. She has 4 children and homeschools, yet has time for God and me.
Have a great weekend everyone.
Linda in Arkansas
So yesterday I felt my insight faucet clogged, and last night stuck my head under to get a better look (in today's reading) and the clog loosened and it poured all over me. My GOODNESS! I think I savored every word I read for today! Elihu is definitely my fav of this book.
SO, because I loved so much of the reading it was hard for me to break it down into old/new/nugget. But the things that stood out to me the most were:
35:6-8 - your sins/good deeds don't affect God, only humans
12-13 - Whey the wicked cry out God does not answer because of their pride (NOT because he isn't listening - he is)
36:5-10 - He never takes his eyes off the innocent. If we find ourselves in trouble, he allows us to be there and figure out the sin that got us there, so that we may learn from it and repent
15 - He gets their attention through adversity. This is when most people cry out to God. Sad that it has to come to that.
37:18 - "...can you do that?" God is SOOOO powerful, I think sometimes we lose perspective on that since we are the most intelligent life-form on this planet - i.e. PROUD - but everything, EVERYTHING, happens or doesn't happen/exist, etc because of him.
21 - We cannot look at the sun - interesting to think about, that he didn't make our eyes able to handle the brightness of the sun. He created our boundaries down to the minute detail.
23 - ...EVEN THOUGH he is righteous and just, he does not destroy us. Those two words change the tone of that statement immensely, pointing out that the righteous and just thing he SHOULD do would be to destroy us, but he doesn't because he loves us so much. Whoa.
This is such a great perspective of our simple human-ness; how small, yet proud and ignorant and narrow-minded we are, as well as just a taste of how AWEsome (awe-inspiring) God is! We can't even comprehend that in it's entirety because our brains are too simple. Crazy.
Nugget: (one at least) Find him everywhere and in everything/situation/person/creation, and allow that to humble me always and in all ways.
Love you and your insight sisters! Welcome to the new ones, we're glad to have you! Have a blessed and safe weekend all :)
xoxo from Seattle
I don’t normally do this, but my daughter, Bethany(age 10) just wrote something that I posted on my blog. I’m asking that you take a look at it and leave a comment to give her some encouragement. She was very nervous, but took a big leap because I asked her to. Please help me boost her confidence in sharing what God is speaking to her heart. Thanks!!!!!
Obedience… a ten year olds perspective.
How awesome that we read about the snow and ice, while it is storming outside. Here in middle TN we got 5"
In reference to the prayers for our husbands and wives, I found a verse last night that we can pray over them.
Habakkuk 3:12 Lord, I have heard of Your fame; I stand in awe of Your deeds, O Lord. Renew in our day, in our time( bringing our husbands to You) make them (Your deeds) known. In wrath remember mercy.
Jan TN
...Blesssed weekend to you all
I am thankful for a break in the rush this week has been. I am thankful for the insights you all have enriched my walk with - Wendy, without your leadership I would have really missed out! I struggle to make the words applicable to me, today, living in 2010...Thank you! I have been hopping over to the written version of your teaching - thank you Joy! So many glimpses of Him this week - knowing we are not alone. Welcome to each one who is new to commenting - we need each other!
Love and courage
Marianne
Here, ... on the Missouri/Arkansas border, we have almost a foot of snow. It's been several years since, I've seen so much snow. I love the reminder that "He directs the snow to fall on the earh and tells the rain to pour down, Then everyone stops working so they can watch His power" Job 37:6-7
As crazy as it sounds, we needed time to stop and reflect on Him. Thankfully, the power is still on (after a brief outage).
I haven't commented as much this year, but I'm still here daily.
Love and prayers,
Nancy
Wow!
The teaching was a good reiminder to keep our heart's desires and thoughts in check. The definition of wicked made me realize of my sin and need to be continously immersed in God's word. Wendy thank you for the reminder of who we are and what God's promises are to us. These verses really made more sense in Job 36 11-12 when I put me name instead of using the word "they". I am one of them too!
Praise God for His continued love and mercy on us!
Have a great weekend and keep warm!
Paola from NY
Hi Everyone,
I have been so blessed by these daily vlogs and comments. I have only commented once before, but feel led to comment today. I have to admit that I have never read the entire Bible but, I am so glad that God led me to this site last fall. I have a desire I have never felt before to read and study God's Word. Thank you Wendy and all those who have posted comments. I know others have commented to this effect before, but I want to re-iterate what a blessing it is to be sharing God's Word on a daily basis and sharing what we each receive. I have done may Bible Studies that have enriched my life beyond measure, but this study, taking a few verses each day and learning so much from them has blessed me beyond measure. Thank you so much for sharing you insight, love and compassion with all of us. So many of your comments have hit home for me and I just want you all to know that I truly love and sppreciate you!!. May God bless you for all you do to help others.
Patsi in Texas
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