Daily Courage

[Judy Harder]

David is short of words to thank and honor his God. To thank him for answering his prayer; to honor him for his faithfulness.  He challenges others to always trust in the Lord - and never to forget to thank Him.

David

I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.
My soul will boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together.
I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.
This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.
(Psalm 34:1-7)

[Judy Harder]

God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear ... he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.  (1 Corinthians 10:13) 

Remarkable Remarks  God's Provisions - Our Responsibilities

Pastor Lamb - China:  "Abraham sent Ishmael away with a water bottle, God provided a well."

Yiddish Proverb:  "God gave burdens, but also shoulders."

Brother Andrew:  "When I tell those who suffer: don't run away from your country, I should add: I will help you."

Chinese proverb:  "Instead of cursing the darkness, light a candle."

Horace Bushnell:  "What you call hindrances, obstacles and discouragements are possibly God's opportunities."

Corrie ten Boom:  "God has no problems - only plans."

Anonymous:  "Your problems become God's plans, the moment you give the problems to Him."

[Judy Harder]

In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil.
(Job 1:1)

Job

One person we could not leave out of this book is Job. In no other book of the Bible are we confronted with the problems of suffering so much. Yet the question "why" is not clearly answered. Eliphaz and his friends had an easy answer - it was Job's own fault. For them and for many today, suffering is a consequence of sinning. Others will announce boldly their theory that those who follow God will never be in need. However, Job 1:1 challenges this dangerous suggestion immediately, "this man was blameless and upright, he feared God and shunned evil."

Job suffered so much precisely because he was so God-fearing. In Job chapter one, verse one, he is described as blameless, upright, God-fearing and one who shuns evil.

Those who are really blameless are also upright.

Those who really fear God, also shun evil.

Job practiced what he preached. He not only came across as blameless, but was also known as an upright business man. He not only said that he feared God, but he also made a conscious effort to keep away from evil.

Such people automatically become a target of Satan. But they also become honored by God.

In Job's case God let the devil do his utmost. Incomprehensible, sometimes unacceptable. Had God such great trust in Job? And Job in God?

This is what it is all about this week. Job's secret is our instruction today - blameless and upright, God fearing and shunning evil. Then, even in evil days, you can stand fast. And in dark days you can see light. The light.

[Judy Harder]

When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would send and have them purified. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, "Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts." This was Job's regular custom.

(Job 1:5)

Job

Job was not only an upright believer (there was no better on earth, 1: and an outstanding business man (the richest in the area, 1:3); he was also a good father.

Whenever his children came together to celebrate, Job sat at home and worried. He thought it was good that they kept in touch with each other regularly - that there were such close family ties. He was not aware of what took place on such occasions - he was not invited. The older generation was not invited - it was not appropriate.

Job was with his family in spirit. He knew that the prosperity of his children could easily lead to leaving God out of their lives. "Surely they will not forget God?" Because he could not at that time speak to his children about God, he talked with God about his children. This was Job's practice.

Praying is sometimes the only thing that you can do for your children. Admonishment often brings distance rather than nearness. Children must be able to go their own way. Job had to let his children go - we must also.

The best way to let them go is to place them in the hands of God. Job did this. You may also do this - over and over again.

[Judy Harder]

Then the Lord said to Satan, Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and who shuns evil.
(Job 1:

Job

Satan had not expected that God would talk to him about Job. Satan had hoped that he could bring a report about all the misery he had seen during his roaming through the earth. He had his story ready, about all the hypocrites, thieves and adulterers. And about all the Christians who hate each other and who are not to be trusted. Those who sing righteous songs but do bad things. That's what Satan would like to talk about. That is what he looked forward to.

But the Lord only wanted to talk about one thing - this Job, who was so trustworthy.

Satan always wants to talk about negative things. He encourages God's children to do the same - and with much success. God points us to the positive. Although he condemns sin and is moved by the needs of men and the world, he offers forgiveness and expectations for people without hope for the future.

He is our God and Savior. We should walk in His steps. And pray:

"Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting."
(Psalm 139:23-24)

[Judy Harder]

Does Job fear God for nothing? Satan replied ... You have blessed the work of his hands ... but stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.

(Job 1:9-11)

Job

These verses form the essence of the Book of Job. Many think that it is about the problem of suffering. Although the suffering of Job is central, surely the essence is this - Does Job believe in God out of love, or because He had blessed him so much?

Satan charged Job with the latter. Job had reasons for being well rewarded by God.

"Does Job fear God for nothing?" "Yes," said God. "Impossible," said the devil.

Job himself knew nothing of the conversation between Satan and God. If only he could have looked behind the scenes! But he could not do that. Job was, although it sounds awful, the battleground. Job was the only one who could clarify who was right, God or the devil. And Job declared who it was. Although the price was high - humanly speaking too high - Job clung to God and God to him!

When everything around Job died, this witness remained, "I know that my redeemer lives." (Job 19:25)

Job's faith was based on this. He was sustained by the living God.

The Redeemer still says, "See I make all things new."

May that also be your confession and comfort - now and always.

[Judy Harder]

The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised. In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.  (Job 1:21-22)

Job

Many sayings from Sister Basilea Slink are well known. One of these reads, "God's actions are always love, even if we do not understand Him."

Job could have written those words, or better still, this was Job's testimony.

He did not understand God. He was full of "whys" but he had no doubt that God had His best in mind.

Some people say that you must never ask "why" something has happened, but "what for?" That may sound a little pious, but on a more practical note, hear the words of a woman who herself had come through many things. "I do not ask 'why?' or 'what for', but I ask myself the question, 'How am I going to get through all this?'"

Job did it because he clung to God who does not have a hand in our suffering, but has His hands around it.

Not only in Job's situation but also in yours.

[Judy Harder]

The Lord made him prosperous again.  (Job 42:10)

Job

When did the Lord bring a change in the plight of Job? After Job had prayed for his friends.

Friends? They had been more like enemies than friends. They had pushed Job deeper in the mire. They had tried to convince Job with many pious words that his suffering was a result of his own sins. Job had to defend himself (and God!), but his pious friends appeared to know much better.

Job became angry - and God also, "I am angry with you and your two friends, because you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has." (Job 42:7).

At least four times God referred to Job as His "servant."

This servant, Job, had to pray for his friends; otherwise God would not forgive their sins.

Would you have done that? Pray for people who say they are your friends, but in the hour of need accuse you of all sorts of sins? Perhaps for sins which they have committed themselves and not you?

Job did what God told him to do. He prayed for his enemies - and then the Lord brought about a change in his circumstances.

If Job could remain faithful in spite of his suffering, then there is hope for us. For Job's God is also our God.

"And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." (1 Corinthians 10:13).

[Judy Harder]

A song of praise to the Lord, to the God who is alive.

This God hears when His children call on him.

He seems far away sometimes, but he is never absent.

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." (Psalm 34:18)

David

Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days,
keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies.
Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry;
the face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all.
(Psalm 34:11-19)

[Judy Harder]

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

(Isaiah 41:10)

Antonio Garrido

The events that took place in the revival in my country are an evident act of God's power.

For thirty years the government had taught that there is no God. The Christian faith was ridiculed. But just when the battle seemed to be won by the government, God sent a great revival.

People were so disappointed in Communism that they came to the very churches which the government tried to destroy.

Thousands and thousands of people would gather together in and outside the church to hear the Gospel. They would bring the sick and God performed miracles, again and again. Even atheists came to listen and many of them acknowledged that God is alive and at work. We never need to be dismayed. God is still in control. Despite all persecution and false propaganda the church grew.

Yes, we can trust in God. He says, "I will build my church..." (Matthew 16:18). So we never need to be dismayed whatever the circumstances.

Antonio Garrido, from Cuba, shares about his life with the Lord. Despite the battle, his meditations witness to victory and faith. He writes under a pseudonym.