THE BOOK OF JOB

Today is Tuesday and I am reading again in the book of Job.  I will have one other day in Job before I finish it up and get into Psalms.  I am excited about what God is going to do today.  How God is going to provide and guide.  I am ready to follow His leadership for my life today and be a blessing if I can to as many as I can.  Here am I, LORD, use me. 1) ALL ALONE- We all feel that way sometimes, and sometimes it is because that is the reality.  Job felt that as well.  In Job 19:13,14, it reads:  "He hath put my brethren far from me, and mine acquaintance are verily estranged from me. My kinsfolk have failed, and my familiar friends have forgotten me."  and verse 19 reads:  "All my inward friends abhorred me:  and they whom I loved are turned against me."  Especially in those days, when tragedy befell a man, it was thought that it came about because he deserved it.  In fact Job's friends argue that he has some secret unconfessed sin that has caused all of the grief and punishment.  But we know better.  Now, what gets a man through this isolation?  What is the answer to your feeling all alone?  In verse 25, Job gives it to us:  "For I know that my redeemer liveth....."  You always have a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.  Jesus is there!  You are not alone dear friend.  You have the best company in the world.  2) BLOWN AWAY?  Job 21:19 says:  "They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away."  In Psalms 1:4, "The ungodly are not so:  but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away."  Chaff is blown around by the wind.  It is the husk of the grain.  the grain is the real deal, and it falls to the earth and brings for life.  The chaff brings forth nothing.  We are to be "like a tree planted by the rivers of water".  The Bible says we are to be rooted and grounded in Him.  If not, like chaff, we can be blown about with every wind of doctrine that comes down the pike.  Get your roots down deep.  I read lately that if we take care of the roots, God will take care of the fruit.  Don't be blown away.... be rooted and grounded in Christ, your Church, your Marriage, your Life! 3) MORE THAN FOOD- Job 23:12 says:  "I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food."  As I read this it dawned on me that today is a fast day for me.  I ate last night, but it will be tomorrow morning before I eat again.  The deacons and I have chosen one day a week to fast and pray for God's financial blessings upon our church.  Fasting is a wonderful way to get God's attention, and more importantly, for God to get your attention.  But God's Word should be more important to food.  We eat physically, don't go a day without eating spiritually from God's Holy Word.  More than my necessary food! Well, just three thoughts for today.  I have to get to work soon.  May God richly bless you! Pastor Mike Mutchler