"Submit to God, and you will have peace. Then things will go well for you. Listen to His instructions and store them in your heart."
Job 22:21-22
Job 22:21-22
My Take-Aways:
Something Old:
Job:23:12
"I have not departed from His commands, but treasured His words more than daily food."
Let me treasure His words more than food. May that satisfy me.
Something New:
Job 22:12-13
"God is so great-higher than the heavens, higher than the farthest stars. But you reply, 'That's why God can't see what I am doing!'"
So many times I think God can't see what I am doing. Silly, huh?
Something to Do:
Job 22:21-22
Submit to God. Listen to His instructions. Store His instructions in my heart.
Other translations of Job 22:21-22 (too good not to share)
"Acquaint now yourself with Him [agree with God and show yourself to be conformed to His will] and be at peace; by that [you shall prosper and great] good shall come to you. Receive, I pray you, the law and instruction from His mouth and lay up His words in your heart." (AMP)
"Yield now and be at peace with Him; Thereby good will come to you. "Please receive B)">instruction from His mouth. And establish His words in your heart."(NASB)
"Give in to God, come to terms with him and everything will turn out just fine. Let him tell you what to do; take his words to heart." (The Message)
20 Comments:
Good Morning...early morning I might add!
Something old: "If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored-so clean up your life" Job 22:23
Something New: "I go east, but he is not there. I go west, but I cannot find him. I do not see him in the north, for he is hidden, I look to the south, but he is concealed." Job 23:8&9 In Job's despair he has not given up seeking God, he continues to search in his darkest hour. Helpless in finding HIm but not hopeless...for
Job goes on in vs.10 to say, "But He (God) knows where I am going. And when he tests me. I will come out as pure as gold."
Nugget: The nugget here for me is although I may not feel or see the presence of God in my darkest hours...he still sees me and sees where I am going. Perhaps meaning God knows the outcome of my darkness. (If...I know for a fact that God exists and have the faith to believe he is always there...there is hope
...the rest of vs. 10 Job says "And when he tests me, I will come out pure as gold. For I have stayed on God's paths; I have not departed from his commands, but have treasured his words more than food" In my NIV notes this is cross referenced with 1Peter: 7, quote starting with vs 6 "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have to come so that your faith-of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire-may be proved genuine."
Job seems to know that his faith is being tested and judges he has not strayed as his friends seem to indicate. God's word is treasured in his heart...hmmm God's word can sustain us and help us find our way through the darkness. Encouraging us all the way to keep seeking His light. Amen
Knowing that God has his eye upon us, even in our darkest hour when I cannot feel or see his presence gives us hope...and through it all our faith is increased. (however I judge this doesn't keep us from complaining or wondering why?)
Heavenly Father, I lift up these many women of faith, who have expressed a deepest desire in their hearts for their husbands to be brought to salvation through your Son Jesus Christ. Help them to know that they have planted the seed, please send someone to water that seed...for we know that you are the one that makes faith grow! There is nothing better than having a "oneness" in you with our spouse. Asking for many miracles this day in the lives of the many who request their husbands be uplifted. In Jesus name we pray...Amen
Love from Debbie in Illinois
Wendy, thank you so much for opening the WORD this morning like that. Verse 21 really stuck out to me, too today. It's something that I need to memorize.
In reference to Psalm 119...it's verse 11 that says it. 'I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.'
I don't know why, but this mornings text seemed more poetic to me. Although I am getting tired of the speculation and accusation going on, today, there was just something different. Or, I just received it differently.
23:12 Got me too, Wendy. Trying to lose all the extra weight this year, I am reminded again this morning that it's God's word that I should be being fed by daily. There is no better nourishing, sustaining or fulfilling food to eat.
24:12 I can't imagine the ache in the Father's heart for all those whose soul's groan because they are dying a spiritual death without Christ. I get grieved thinking of my family members who think they're all right and living a life of sin and destruction.
I had a mental picture from 25:2. It was so vibrant and vivid. God enforces peace in the heavens. We forget that God stands guard over all His creation. Even to the furthest reaches of space, the heavens, by keeping all things in line. By keeping all things orbiting and moving just so so that we can have life here, and find life in Christ.
That tugged at my heart! Our God is too amazing!
Praying God opens His word to all of you in an amazing way this week.
Good Morning & Happy Monday!
Thank you for your teaching us this morning dear Wendy! Once again you’ve opened up a couple of verses in a much deeper way!
My something new this morning was just how much Job is able to keep his faith in God. His obedience to God was more important than life itself, “But have treasured his words more than daily food,” (23:12), and basically wherever he turns God is not there, but his faith does not rest in his fears and feelings, but in His Word. “But he knows where I am going. And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold,” (23:10).
I would say that Job has experienced the transforming power of God. The trials of his life are not taking him away from God, but allowing him to bring him through with victory. This is something to apply to our own life. I’m going through a situation with my mom right now. Yes, I’m not saying, “words,” but I can tell you quite honestly, the “thoughts,” come and go-which are just as sinful! Seeking to love her through his eyes and understand why she is doing the things she is doing. Not judging. It definitely is causing me to cling to God. I’m getting the glimpses of his eyes which keep me seeking him and begging for wisdom to know how to talk to her and care for her. Knowing there is no way I can do this, but God’s power inside me.
God’s Word, the more I read it daily, the more I realize it is how we stay in his perfect will for our lives. The Bible - his only written word to us, his children. Other studies and devotions are good, and I did those before joining Wendy on her journey last year, (I’m currently taking the most wonderful Beth Moore study right now, with other believer's)…but, God has shown me so clearly, that He’s fine with me taking other studies, but they can never replace the special time each day that I devote to him through HIS WORD. Getting the whole picture, from cover to cover. He showed me as the year went on, that many, many concepts were repeated over and over. Truths that he emphasizes to us. The only way to see this is to read through the entire book. And, I’m seeing how sweet he is as more and more nuggets get revealed to me the second time around! I can’t even imagine, what it will be like the 3rd time around. Those of you that are new, please hang with us. Carve out some time. Before you begin reading, call out to the Lord. Ask him to show you what HE wants you to know. He will. And, at the same time, the enemy will be opposing this! Trying to keep you too busy to take 15 min. out of your day to spend with the Almighty, the God of the Universe, your Father that created you. Satan is hard at work and very deceiving. A good trickster.
His presence is where I want to be today…seeking to walk with you dear Lord!
Debbie, thank you for your beautiful prayer for our husbands. I’ve got the list. Know that they are prayed over daily. Love & hugs, Lori
Good Morning Ladies! I just want to say how blessed I feel to be a part of this study. This is the first time I've commented, but I just have to say - Wendy, Thank you - God is doing amazing things through you. To all of the women who are adding their comments, I am grateful for your nuggets and your shared hearts. I became a Christian 20some years ago in high school and now as a working mother of young ones, I MISS the fellowship that high school and college groups bring. I feel that that close fellowship is here in this study. Thank you all, have a blessed day.
Kate
Thanks ladies - You all gave me good things to ponder; I came up very dry in today's reading. This is one of the reasons I love this Bible study - I gleaned from what you gleaned.
Morgen
Good morning!
I am writing with a prayer request again. Would you please lift my son Joshua up in prayer again? Although he seemed to be improving, he took a dive on Saturday. His coughing is worse and he is running a fever. The arsenol of medicine doesn't seem to be helping him! Waiting for the doctor's office to open. Thank you!
Will have to read later......
Have a great Modnay, Meredith in OK
Amen ladies to what you have shared! Have taken the prayer requests to the Father and will continue to do so.
The nugget that I cling to is 22:27a "You will pray to Him and He will hear you". A few years back when I was in Hong Kong, the group I was with visited the Buddhist temple; it broke my heart to see so many people praying to empty statues. Fellow sisters and brothers, we serve and worship a living God, one who hears us, who loves us!
Have a great Monday!
In Him,
Gaylene
Job:23:12
"I have not departed from His commands, but treasured His words more
than daily food."
Now as I am seated before a buffet of food or thinking of food I think I "need". I will quote scripture like this verse to myself and then I won't
need/want that high calorie food and I can walk away with inner
satisfation that I didn't know I had...
Wendy, your vlog really spoke to me today. Thank you!!
Blessing,
Lisa
Wendy,
Thanks for unpacking v. 21. (I'm finally learning something from Eliphaz instead of being annoyed with him.) And this is just one verse - imagine what would happen if we do it in another verse, or another? I guess we can save that for next year.
Meredith, Oh, I'm praying for your Joshua. I know it's scary and frustrating when the asthma kicks in. Mine is on oral steroid and antibiotic + his 2 inhalers 9albuterol & Advair disc). Do you have a nebulizer at home?
Deb, thanks for your prayers for the spouses. Much, much appreciated!
New: 23:10b when he tests me I willcome out pure as gold. I heard this a while ago that in the old days they use increasing temperatures to purify gold. The dross (impurities) then go up to the surface and is skimmed off. The process is finished if the goldsmith can see his reflection in it. In the same way God puts us through the fire to remove the dross from our lives. His goal is to see His reflection in us. I just love that.
My to do: Job 22:3b "Would it be any gain to him if you were perfect?" Being a perfectionist, this stood out to me. God does not expect me to be perfect. How can I be, when I'm 100% dust? But for so long I have this expectation of myself - and I'm sure it extends to my expectation of others as well - to be perfect. I have believed the enemy's lies for so long. As a result, I don't finish projects or don't start at all. My thinking being, if I can't do it perfectly, well, I'll do it some other time. And it does not come to pass. So procrastination is also a by-product. I have to let go of these expectations of myself and others.
Lastly, I would like to add what I read in Jon Courson's commentary on the last few verses of Job 23. He said, "Job, the problem is you want to be your own defense attorney. But you're not a defense attorney - you're the star witness. This is a case between God and the enemy. You are a witness of God's keeping power and grace."
Have a blessed Monday, everyone!
A wonderful Monday morning to you all!
First, I have to say AMEN to Gaylene's comment. And, Meredith, Joshua is in my prayers.
Wendy, I loved the break down of Submit, Listen and Store! Job 23:12b was my Familiar/New way notation. It just settled into my heart this morning. I should hunger for God's word more than my daily bread!
New - Job 24:23 - He may let them rest in a feeling of security, but his eyes are on their ways.
I did some word searches here with "feeling of security" being Betah = an unsuspecting mind - security in something other than the Lord is only temporary.
Then also, "their ways" being Derek = Way of life - Actions/behavior of men being wicked or righteous.
Why is Job so sure of his state before God? Because he has walked in His ways of righteousness. He has a pure clean heart before God. He has an intimate relationship. This is true security that nothing in our world can replace. When I think of that kind of peace that nothing else can trump, it does make you hunger more for HIM!
So this is my take away...Let my security be in You alone LORD!
Blessings to you all,
Carol
my nugget for today is 23:3. If I only knew where to find God. I Chronicles 28:9, and II Chronicles 15:2 say if you seek Him He will be found by you. I really like Jeremiah 29:13 that says "You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. I WILL BE FOUND BY YOU!." He promises us we can find Him. But we have to desire, hunt for and yearn for Him.
I too, am praying for all the husbands, can you imagine the "noise" 1800 women are causing in heaven with their prayers for these men??? Picture 1800 women all talking at once. Hear the noise, the chattering??? The angels have been sent out to look for ear plugs! :) And I am also praying for any other prayer requests.
Jan TN
Ladies,
I'm so happy it's Monday and Wendy has posted her vlog. I am refreshed and know that the week holds so much more for me.
My new is Job 23; Job is still searching for God, he says that whether he looks east, west, north or south he cannot find him, and then the statement in vs. 9 is very revealing - "but he is concealed." That's a lot different than hidden or unreachable. Is Job not listening?
I find it easier to submit and much harder to listen, thanks Wendy for your powerful insight into this today.
Meredith, my prayers for Joshua that he is feeling better very soon, and prayers for all the spouses who are yet to walk with the Lord. Please add my husband - Ron to the list. I've been praying for him for some time and wait on the Lord's perfect timing.
Blessings,
BettyL
My nugget today.
As I read Job 22 this quote became very clear to me.
"Saying the right thing to the wrong person at the wrong time bears no good fruit, but only breeds strife and discontent with others".
Father help us to allow your Holy Spirit to refine us and help us to be fruitful in every good work! Col. 1:10-12
Praying for you all!
Debbie - NC
Thanks to those of you praying for our husbands! Jan, I love your imagery of all 1800 of us praying for these men. How awesome! Betty, I'm adding Ron to my list.
Different things jumped out at me again, it seems ...
1. Job 22:21 Eliphaz has stuff both right and wrong ...
"Submit to God, and you will have peace ..." that's true ...
"then things will go well for you." that's not; they'll go well when you consider eternity, but John promises that we're going to have trouble on this earth. We can "take heart", though, because Jesus has overcome the world. God isn't a magic patch that will fix things here ... we can just have peace in knowing that He has a plan and that it will ultimately work out, in His time.
2. Job 22:23 "If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored, ..." that's true, Eliphaz!
"so clean up your life." that's not good advice! Who can do that in his/her own power? We need God for that. Just think if we had to wait to be perfect to come to Him - none of us would ever get there!
3. Job 24:13 "Wicked people rebel against the light. They refuse to acknowledge its ways or stay in its paths." We MUST look for His light and PURSUE His presence. we need to live in the light!
So good to have you back, Wendy! I love the comments on the weekends, but I miss your vlogs, too.
Amy
Thank You for explaining the submit part of this study. To acquaint and yield, to be used. Very Helpful.
You ladies have done it again! I really appreciate the multi-faceted take-aways and impressions from the readings, they really do help open my mind to the word.
My old heard new: I am feeling like these guys are saying the SAME thing over and over, and becoming more harsh and judgemental and pious. It reminds me of some "bad" christians I've known. Guess even these guys are human and born sinners like everyone else.
My new: I could really relate to Job asking why the wicked weren't punished. I feel that way when I struggle against temptation and compare myself to others, who ARE living in sin and don't seem any worse for the wear.
Nugget: To not be focused on others; their sins, their walk, their punishment/judgement or lack thereof. It doesn't matter if people I think are sinners are brought to judgement in my eyes or in this life, it isn't my place to decide any of that. I need to keep my focus on God and finding him in everything I do and finding peace in knowing that he is there as long as I look for him. In doing so, may I be a shining light for Jesus, that others may be brought to him.
Meredith - Big prayers and hugs for Josh.
Lori - prayers for you and your mother, I'm sure God is doing great things for your relationship (maybe not visible now, but hopefully soon)
All Wives - Praying for Husband-salvation!
Praising God for everything he is doing in me, and for the lovely bit of sunshine in the PNW today!
Have a spectacular Monday all!
Great vlog today Wendy! Thank you for all of your wonderful insight!
As we continue through Job, I can't help but think how typical it is of so many misunderstandings between people, where you keep saying the same thing in different ways hoping that the other person will finally understand you. All the while, frustrations continue to build! I can't wait for God's voice of reason to enter the picture!
I was wondering if you ladies could add my husband Chris to the list? I was surprised to see how many other women there are out there whose husbands don't share their faith...I don't know why, but I kind of felt like maybe it was just me!
Jodie, I was going to mention...I have a 5 1/2 month old and I know how it can be a challenge to find time- What I have started doing is reading the daily reading out loud to my daughter each morning...She likes to hear mommy read, and that way I am still giving her the interaction she needs...maybe your little one would like this?
Elizabeth
Thank you for giving your time to do this, this is such a blessing for me to with you. I always try to read the bible Jan 1 and get distracted. I read parts and what I need to for my bible studies must this has sparked and interest and I love the Chronilogical Bible, I wish I had one earlier. I have the desire this years to not read as many books but focus on the word of God. So I shall be obedient. I can't say thank you enough!!! I work all day and I just started nursing school in the evenings so I don't have much extra time but when I get home this is the first thing I do and it fills me up and I just thirst for the next reading. I am a mother of three boys and 1 girl and my last child graduated from HS in 2008 and in now in college so it was time for me to go to school. I had been waiting until I got them raised. It is hard for a 48 yr old to go back to school and my memory is not the same so I know God is with me every step of the way. You said something about facebook and I would love to be your friend how do I find you? Thank you for your service!
Ladies-wonderful comments, thank you so much for your insight! Grace and Peace, how awesome that the Lord is heating us up and cleaning us every day to see Himself!
Prayers for all the requests, and I would like to add my husband Stanley to the list-may the Lord work through me to bring him into my everlasting joy!
Thank you again, blessings from WV,
Karla
The study of Job has taught me that adversity comes through the hand of God, nothing happens that he doesn't permit. I need to change the way I view adversity and realize he alone is wise and through adversity comes faith.
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