JESUS today YOU will SAVE me.
Eat This Book
Read Proverbs Chapter 22
Job 30
1 But now they that are younger than I have me in derision, whose fathers I would have disdained to have set with the dogs of my flock.
2 Yea, whereto might the strength of their hands profit me, in whom old age was perished?
3 For want and famine they were solitary; fleeing into the wilderness in former time desolate and waste.
4 Who cut up mallows by the bushes, and juniper roots for their meat.
5 They were driven forth from among men, (they cried after them as after a thief;)
6 To dwell in the cliffs of the valleys, in caves of the earth, and in the rocks.
7 Among the bushes they brayed; under the nettles they were gathered together.
8 They were children of fools, yea, children of base men: they were viler than the earth.
9 And now am I their song, yea, I am their byword.
10 They abhor me, they flee far from me, and spare not to spit in my face.
11 Because he hath loosed my cord, and afflicted me, they have also let loose the bridle before me.
12 Upon my right hand rise the youth; they push away my feet, and they raise up against me the ways of their destruction.
13 They mar my path, they set forward my calamity, they have no helper.
14 They came upon me as a wide breaking in of waters: in the desolation they rolled themselves upon me.
15 Terrors are turned upon me: they pursue my soul as the wind: and my welfare passeth away as a cloud.
16 And now my soul is poured out upon me; the days of affliction have taken hold upon me.
17 My bones are pierced in me in the night season: and my sinews take no rest.
18 By the great force of my disease is my garment changed: it bindeth me about as the collar of my coat.
19 He hath cast me into the mire, and I am become like dust and ashes.
20 I cry unto thee, and thou dost not hear me: I stand up, and thou regardest me not.
21 Thou art become cruel to me: with thy strong hand thou opposest thyself against me.
22 Thou liftest me up to the wind; thou causest me to ride upon it, and dissolvest my substance.
23 For I know that thou wilt bring me to death, and to the house appointed for all living.
24 Howbeit he will not stretch out his hand to the grave, though they cry in his destruction.
25 Did not I weep for him that was in trouble? was not my soul grieved for the poor?
26 When I looked for good, then evil came unto me: and when I waited for light, there came darkness.
27 My bowels boiled, and rested not: the days of affliction prevented me.
28 I went mourning without the sun: I stood up, and I cried in the congregation.
29 I am a brother to dragons, and a companion to owls.
30 My skin is black upon me, and my bones are burned with heat.
31 My harp also is turned to mourning, and my organ into the voice of them that weep.
The POFW Daily Bible Reading 
Have I not wept for those who have fallen on hard times?
Has my soul not grieved for the needy?
But when I hoped for good, evil came;
when I looked for light, darkness came. Job 30:25-26 HCSB
Teach a youth about the way he should go;
even when he is old he will not depart from it. The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is a slave to the lender. The one who sows injustice will reap disaster,
and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.
A generous person will be blessed,
for he shares his food with the poor. Proverbs 22:6-9 HCSB
“Waymaker, Miracle Worker
Promise Keeper, Light in the darkness
My God, that is who You are
Waymaker, Miracle Worker
Promise Keeper, Light in the darkness
My God, that is who You are…
Even when I don’t see it, You’re working
Even when I can’t feel it, You’re working
You never stop, You never stop working
You never stop, You never stop working”
8 They were children of fools, yea, children of base men: they were viler than the earth.
9 And now am I their song, yea, I am their byword.
Job did not have support from his community during his suffering. Nevertheless, Job maintained his faith in God when it appeared in the natural that he was forsaken by the Lord, hence ” if He slay me yet I will trust him” , is the evidence that he would not lose his faith during this trial. Faith enduring to the end is the lesson for us.
19 He hath cast me into the mire, and I am become like dust and ashes.
20 I cry unto thee, and thou dost not hear me: I stand up, and thou regardest me not.
21 Thou art become cruel to me: with thy strong hand thou opposest thyself against me.
I’m not sure if anybody else would have been different considering that job was one of the most richest man in the world but his downfall was his mentality of being a victim. The feeling that everything is against him and that God was punishing him rather than testing him. Our mentality is the most crucial part of everything we face. We must guard our minds protect it from having a mentality of victimhood
26 When I looked for good, then evil came unto me: and when I waited for light, there came darkness.
Job 30:26
There will be trials and tribulation that will define us. It’s up to you on what path that will take you.
Job now speaks of his current anguish in this chapter. He looks back at what he was and what he has now become. He is hurting, blind sided, and doesn’t fully understand the reasoning of it all. We too sometimes find ourselves in situations that we cannot even remember how we got to that place in our lives; but, God does see the picture that we cannot at times. We must trust in the Lord through it all and at all times.
2 Timothy 2:8-13 MSG “Fix this picture firmly in your mind: Jesus, descended from the line of David, raised from the dead. It’s what you’ve heard from me all along. It’s what I’m sitting in jail for right now—but God’s Word isn’t in jail! That’s why I stick it out here—so that everyone God calls will get in on the salvation of Christ in all its glory. This is a sure thing:
If we die with him, we’ll live with him;
If we stick it out with him, we’ll rule with him;
If we turn our backs on him, he’ll turn his back on us;
If we give up on him, he does not give up—
for there’s no way he can be false to himself.
My only songs are sorrow and sadness.
Job 30:31 CEV
Feeling a sense of loneliness during a trial can be difficult. A battle of the mind, feeling there is no end. But as you keep pushing through in prayer, worship, and reading of the word. You’ll see that God has never left you alone. Just hold on a little longer. Your season is almost done. Then you shall KNOW and understand why you were put through the fire and glorify GOD.
I prayed to you, Lord God, and you healed me, saving me from death and the grave. Your faithful people, Lord , will praise you with songs and honor your holy name. Your anger lasts a little while, but your kindness lasts for a lifetime. At night we may cry, but when morning comes we will celebrate. I felt secure and thought, “I’ll never be shaken!” You, Lord , were my friend, and you made me strong as a mighty mountain. But when you hid your face, I was crushed. I prayed to you, Lord , and in my prayer I said, “What good will it do you if I am in the grave? Once I have turned to dust, how can I praise you or tell how loyal you are? You have turned my sorrow into joyful dancing. No longer am I sad and wearing sackcloth. I thank you from my heart, and I will never stop singing your praises, my Lord and my God.
Psalms 30:2-9, 11-12
31. And so my harp is tuned to the key of mourning, and my flute is pitched to the sound of weeping.
Psalm 137:
2. On the branches of the willow trees, we hung our harps and hid our hearts from the enemy.
3. And the men that surrounded us made demands that we clap our hands and sing- Songs of joy from days gone by, songs from Zion, our home. Such cruel men taunted us-haunted our memories.
4. How could we sing a song about the Eternal in a land so foreign, while still tormented, brokenhearted, homesick? Please don’t make us sing this song. Voice
-It’s difficult to sing songs of joy when the heart is hurting, but sometimes it’s the only way to drag yourself away from the pity party and start down the road back to healing. When you can’t sing out of a heart of joy, sing out of a heart of faith that joy is coming.
Psalm 30:
4. Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.
5. For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. KJV
My bones are pierced [with aching] in the night season, And the pains that gnaw me take no rest. By the great force [of my disease] my garment (skin) is disfigured and blemished; It binds about me [choking me] like the collar of my coat. I cry to You for help, [Lord,] but You do not answer me; I stand up, but You [only] gaze [indifferently] at me.
JOB 30:17-18, 20 AMP
https://bible.com/bible/1588/job.30.17-20.AMP
Everyday we are faced with challenges, everyday we have something in our life that makes us feel unworthy or that we are not fit for the Kingdom, We have those moment where the pain of hurts and trauma or even just life is to us unbearable. We even feel that at times we may have done to much and now God may not forgive us. There has been those times when I felt like my reward was going to hell no matter what, I thought that maybe it would be better for everyone if I wasnt around, because I havent been doing anything I was supposed to be doing, and still going about doing everything I was asked to do, VBS, Gforce with no spiritual backing, no prayer, nothing. So God dealt with me all day yesterday, when we dont pray, when we are not armed with the sword of the spirit we are operating in the flesh. I told God last night standing at the Alter, I am tired of living and eating in the wilderness, I want some milk and honey, I said Lord I dont want to leave here the same as I came in, I dont want to walk away from here without you! I CANT LIVE WITHOUT YOU! So God is faithful, and we may cry out to God and dont hear him, or feel him, we dont serve God according to our feelings. We cant serve God by braille, we have to go into situations by faith, not by sight, we have to pray when it’s hard, pray when it’s easy, pray on the mountain and pray in the valley, because no matter our situation, when life happens…God is good, when sorrows come God is good, when you think everyone hates you, GOD IS GOOD!
First The Kingdom
When Life Is Good, God Is Good
He hath cast me into the mire, and I am become like dust and ashes. I cry unto thee, and thou dost not hear me: I stand up, and thou regardest me not. Thou art become cruel to me: with thy strong hand thou opposest thyself against me.
Job 30:19-21 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/job.30.19-21.KJV
Job was a man of faith; even though he was put through the most rigorous test of faith. He never took his eyes off God: in fact Job began to press harder into his faith. He never cursed God; he may have had weak moments where his faith sank just a little, but nevertheless he still sought after the Almighty. This is the mentality that I need to get. No matter what I’m going through God is there and I need to stop turning my back to Him. I need to get it together and leave the world behind. It doesn’t matter what the world thinks of me; I don’t need to conform to it; I need to set my mind right and seek after the Kingdom. Lord Jesus help me today to set all myself upon you and turn from the world.
#godslist #keepthefireburning
When my son died, among the many books that were gifted to me, the one that caught my attention enough to read it was “Bad Things Happen to Good People” is a 1981 book by Harold Kushner, a Conservative rabbi. Through that book I learn to accept things as they come, to encourage those that have fallen in despair, and to know that no matter what comes my way I MUST PRAISE HIM FOR HE LOVES ME!!!!!
31 My harp also is turned to mourning, and my organ into the voice of them that weep.
Some people think because we are Christians we should be happy all the time and despair, depression, and desolation (the 3 D’s) should not be part of our lives. Wrong!! We are humans with emotions and YES! those emotions could lead us stray if we don’t keep in mind that WE MUST PRAISE HIM AT ALL TIMES!!! The Joy of the Lord is our strength and although His anger endures the night, JOY COMES IN THE MORNING!! So if you find yourself in the darkness of the despair of this world; it is then that you MUST PRAISE HIM EVEN HARDER!!!! PRAISE BE THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST MY SAVIOR!!!!
Job 30:25-26 [Amp] Did not I weep for him who was in trouble? Was not my heart grieved for the poor and needy ? [26] But when I looked for good, then evil came to me; and when I waited for light ; there came darkness. Of all the suffering that Job went he still has faith. Even when trails and tribulations come we need to keep our minds focus on the word of the Lord. Lord search our minds and our hearts . Build us and use us for your kingdom. Lord keep us on the right path of where you want us to go. You are maymaker and the miracle worker in our lives. To Glory and Honer be to Lord.
11Because he hath loosed my cord, and afflicted me, they have also let loose the bridle before me.
12 Upon my right hand rise the youth; they push away my feet, and they raise up against me the ways of their destruction.
13 They mar my path, they set forward my calamity, they have no helper.
14 They came upon me as a wide breaking in of waters: in the desolation they rolled themselves upon me.
Job is in a dark place in his life. We must understand this is the byproduct of God removing the hedge of protection from around Job. Not out of anger but out of assurance that Job was truly on the Lords side. Out of assurance that every dark place that God lead Job through before this season would help light the way for Job to come out on the other side of this.
This gives me a new sound perspective of the facts; I cannot make it without God! If Job and had to endure such hardship with just the hedge of protection removed what makes me think that I would make it a second out if His provision. Understand that satan could not take Jobs life. Yet if we ever walk out on God satan will have free reign in our lives.
Lord, I can’t live without you I can’t walk talk, or breath without You!
25 Did not I weep for him that was in trouble? was not my soul grieved for the poor?
26 When I looked for good, then evil came unto me: and when I waited for light, there came darkness.
No matter what we are going through and how tough it may seem. We must seek after God and His ways in all things. Simply put seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness
iLove the Kingdom
Job 30:12 Upon my right hand rise the youth; they push away my feet, and they raise up against me the ways of their destruction.
We have to train our youth to respect people. So many times we hear about youth disrespecting people and even bullying folk, this ought not be. We need to wear out the cushions of the youth who would mock, persecute, and disrespect people. Just let me know if Isaiah or Selah is disrespectful please, that way we can take a trip to the woodshed.
Job 30::25 Did not I weep for him that was in trouble? was not my soul grieved for the poor?
Romans 12:15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
Psalm 35:13 But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom
Keep crying out to God!
For God has cut my bowstring. He has humbled me, so they have thrown off all restraint.
Job 30:11 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/job.30.11.NLT
Some people just wait for when your down before they attack, but even in the midst of hardship our God is a strong tower. He is a refuge. He is our avenger when the enemy has struck a blow. We lift up Your Most Holy Name, O LORD.
Thank you Jesus!!!
20“I cry to you, O God, but you don’t answer.
I stand before you, but you don’t even look.
21You have become cruel toward me.
You use your power to persecute me.
22You throw me into the whirlwind
and destroy me in the storm.
23And I know you are sending me to my death—
the destination of all who live. NLT
sometimes when we are going through what we feel is the worst we have ever gone through, we tend to find that we are an emotional basket case. We tend to have a self indulged pity party because we are dealing with the worst things ever. We need to know that even it may seem that what we are going through will eventually send us to our grave with any help from God. This is the time we need to gird ourselves with the word of God and believe that he has not left us or forsaken us.
God is the way maker, miracle worker, and he is the light in a dark world. Even when we don’t feel him he working. Even when we don’t feel him he working. He never stops, he never stops working.
Seek first the kingdom and all his righteousness, and he will see you through. We have trust that he will deliver us out of our trouble and place us upon the rock to stay.
“They come at me from all directions. They jump on me when I am down.”
Job 30:14 NLT
It doesn’t matter what direction the enemy comes from as long as you keep your eyes set in one direction. Remember the plum line if we’re in the plum line with the word then the enemy ain’t got nothing on you. The Bible says “pray that ye enter not into temptation” he will guide your steps and show you the way of escape so find your escape and keep trucking!
Job 30:30
Desperation
“I cry out to you, God, but you do not answer;
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Matthew 10:29-31
From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” Psalm 61:2 (NIV)
Jeremiah 29:13 says, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart” (N
Praising God even when there are no answers. The minister said it so clearly last night yes some things don’t make any sense but God sees ! He does hear!
I just don’t get it and there are things that just don’t make sense to me. God is my refuge……..He is my Source of Strength. Washed in His presence.
I must long for Him daily and allow Him to restore me refresh me without Him I am nothing.
Jesus I pray today for those and it’s many who walk daily in pain. Who are desperate for answers. I pray for those who speak words of quitting because they are not healed or they don’t have the answer they are seeking. I pray that self will be put aside and that your reflection will be seen. Guard my attitude actions and my words . I m in adequate and daily have challenges that only You really know. I pray for those who feel as if they are living the life of Job. A test a trial desperately seeking answers. You are the Breath You are the Arms that hold You are Warmth when the chill of life goes deeper than understanding. Order each step we take . Use us to reach someone in Jesus name. They are everywhere give us wisdom and to allow what You’ve brought us through to encourage and lead others into the Kingdom. In Jesus Name
PS Please help us get out of the book of Job real quick but to learn what it is You are wanting us to learn. Thank You.
To dwell in the cliffs of the valleys, in caves of the earth, and in the rocks.
7 Among the bushes they brayed; under the nettles they were gathered together.
8 They were children of fools, yea, children of base men: they were viler than the earth.
9 And now am I their song, yea, I am their byword.
10 They abhor me, they flee far from me, and spare not to spit in my face.
3 For want and famine they were solitary; fleeing into the wilderness in former time desolate and waste.
4 Who cut up mallows by the bushes, and juniper roots for their meat.
5 They were driven forth from among men, (they cried after them as after a thief;)
6 To dwell in the cliffs of the valleys, in caves of the earth, and in the rocks.
This is something that people tend to do when they feel depressed or alone, they run away from people and push people away to isolate themselves in the wilderness and caves where people cannot find them. But this only creates a cycle of being alone. Dont isolate yourself from people, find refuge with others of the same faith and doctrine if you are not feeling yourself.
Job 30:24-26 (MSG)
What did I do to deserve this?
Did I ever hit anyone who was calling for help?
Haven’t I wept for those who live a hard life,
Been heartsick over the lot of the poor?
I expected good but evil showed up.
I looked for light but darkness fell.
I’m sure at some point in life we all have wondered, “What did I do to deserve this?”
Sometimes life can seem unfair. What we learned in VBS Wednesday night was, “When Life Is Unfair… GOD IS GOOD!”
GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME, and ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD!!
29 I am a brother to dragons, and a companion to owls.
Know who your friends are. I say this thought alot in blogs mainly because you can not know your friends blindly. For if you do you place yourselves into danger.
30:26 When I looked for good, then evil came unto me: and when I waited for light, there came darkness.
——
Let the fire within me never burn out oh Lord!
Bad things can happen to us suddenly just like it happened to Job. The question is, how are goi g to react and face them…
The Lord is my rock, my stronghold, in whom I trust
I know that He has, He is, and will be my strength when trouble comes.
31 My harp also is turned to mourning, and my organ into the voice of them that weep.
This chapter just hurts my heart and all I can do is pray cause we are not exempt!!! I LOVE YOU JESUS!!!
They block my road and do everything they can to destroy me. They know I have no one to help me.
Job 30:13 NLT
Sometimes when you are going through difficult situations, it can feel like everyone is against you. In this case, Job feels like even God is against him. There are times when God said He would become His people’s enemy, but this is not one of them.
But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
Revelation 2:14-16 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/rev.2.14-16.KJV
Thus saith the Lord God of Israel; Behold, I will turn back the weapons of war that are in your hands, wherewith ye fight against the king of Babylon, and against the Chaldeans, which besiege you without the walls, and I will assemble them into the midst of this city. And I myself will fight against you with an outstretched hand and with a strong arm, even in anger, and in fury, and in great wrath.
Jeremiah 21:4-5 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/jer.21.4-5.KJV
We might feel like we lost it all but what we don’t know is God will restore us and then double what we lost.
“My heart is troubled and restless. Days of suffering torment me.”
Job 30:27 NLT
Whatever you do, don’t stop. Take Job as an example and know this is not the end. God has a plan for you and everything you go through is to the glory of God, even the pain and the trouble. You will come out stronger and greater, you will be a living testimony of His goodness, and you will be okay because God is good!!
31 My harp also is turned to mourning, and my organ into the voice of them that weep.
“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.”
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 KJV
Job was in a season of weeping, he had lost everything and couldn’t understand why. But to those of us that know the end of this book, we know that the season of weeping does not last forever, but a season of blessing and joy come.
This brings us hope, that even if we are in a season of weeping or loneliness, of quietness or loss; that it will not last forever; but a season of joy and gain, of peace and love are coming our way!
But it is important for us to remember, that no matter the season; whether it be gain or loss, joy or weeping; we must continually seek Him first!
“I wanna know You
I wanna find You
In every season
In every moment
Before I bring my need
I will bring my heart
And seek You FIRST”
Job is tossed between keeping his heart and attitude right, and pride, trying to discover with all the things that he has done, why this is happening to him, what he did to deserve.
How many times have we went through a trial and wondered, why me Lord? I think that is common for most people. Yet, it is where we allow our minds to go after we ask that question. Do we go down the slippery slope of self pity? Do we become arrogant and prideful in questioning how God could allow this to happen to us, because we are somebody?
We must remember that we are mere dust that God breathed life into, and everything that He allows to come to us, is for a purpose. Being the creator, He doesn’t owe us an explanation of any kind. We all have learned that if you don’t pass a test, you will have to retake it. Some of us have to continue to take the same test over and over because when it comes to us, our prideful self righteousness rises us and we completely fail the test.
We must take control of our mind and keep our attitude in check so that we can become the person that God is shaping us to be. Ruling our own spirit is a challenge and can only be done through the power of the Holy Ghost.
Romans 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
FIRST THE KINGDOM
THE BUDDY SYSTEM
11 Because he hath loosed my cord, and afflicted me, they have also let loose the bridle before me.
True friends are very few. As Job reveals his testimony here we learn from his words that respect for him was associated with his success in life as others saw it. But now that perilous times have come to him, he is neglected and disrespected.
By nature people are more attracted to success stories than to horror stories. For the most part, I believe the human heart and life desire for people to win at life. Most importantly as Christian believers in Christ JESUS we desire people to win the spiritual battle for their soul.
My prayer today is that I glean revelation from this passage in regard to how I approach others that have suffered through the test of GOD. That with discernment and wisdom I may be used of GOD. Also that we are delivered from THE BUDDY SYSTEM that seeks only the favor and friendship of those that are living in the Blessed season of their life.
iRepent
iPraise
iPray
iWork
iGive
iReap
iGo
iBlessYouInTheNameOfTheLordJESUS
“And now my life seeps away. Depression haunts my days…”
Job 30:16 NLT
“My fiddle plays nothing but the blues; my mouth harp wails laments.”
Job 30:31 MSG
Depression is real and relentless. It haunts the thoughts and robs the sleep. It attacks the rich and the poor, the sick and the healthy alike.
There can be physically-induced causes for depression that require treatment, such as chemical imbalances in the brain or damage done by traumatic brain injuries or long-term addictions. Depression can also be the result of very real spiritual attacks requiring deliverance and much prayer. However, just as often, depression is the result of our own sin nature and unsubmitted/undisciplined minds.
The latter is evidenced by a self-perpetuating mindset based in obsessive thoughts about one’s circumstances, pain, disappointments, disillusionment, and unrealistic expectations. It occurs when one begins to focus completely on oneself, and, as a result, begins to see everything that happens in life as a personal attack that compounds one’s feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness.
As in Genesis, when God said of man that “every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually,” every imagination in the heart of a depressed person is only negative and/or self-abasing continually. They can’t see even the good that is around them. Negativity and ingratitude fill the mind and mouth, and “woe is me” becomes the constant refrain.
They live in the land of me, me, me. Everything is about me. Everything is happening to me. Everyone is against me. Noone loves me. Nothing good ever happens to me, etc. Job put it succinctly when he cried, “My fiddle plays nothing but the blues; my mouth harp wails laments.”
I’ve been there, and I am in no way trying to minimize the pain that Job felt or that anyone else is experiencing in life. I’m merely saying that how we think during times of pain can make the difference between life-robbing depression and life-sustaining peace and joy.
Solomon, the wisest man on earth, spoke of the answer he found to this dilemma:
“Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad.”
Proverbs 12:25 NKJV
In negative circumstances, one must train themselves to gird up the loins of the mind, to bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, to think on these things (see Philippians 4:8 below), and to speak good words. Life and death are in the power of the tongue. Thus, we must learn in everything to give thanks and to speak hope.
This is the key to resilience. Instead of focusing on how bad life may be, we quote Scripture, remind ourselves of the goodness of God, of His eternal promises, and of the temporary nature of this life. Pain and sickness are not forever; they are not mine alone to bear. This, too, shall pass, and we shall see Him face to face.
Rather than turning inward, we force ourselves through the power of the Spirit to minister outwardly (Job had to pray for his friends). Rather than constant lamenting, we train ourselves to see God’s blessings and to cultivate a grateful heart.
Positive thinking doesn’t just happen; it is the result of a disciplined mind and fruit-filled spirit. Once we learn to put on the mind and heart of Christ we will completely break the power of depression in our lives.
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
Philippians 4:8 KJV
19 He hath cast me into the mire, and I am become like dust and ashes.
20 I cry unto thee, and thou dost not hear me: I stand up, and thou regardest me not.
Job did become a byword in this day and time…the patience of Job. Though he states he is discarded and ignored by God, he also states that the Lord gives and takes away and he blesses the name of the Lord- Job 1:21. We too must wait upon God and claim the victory while in that valley. He will restore as Psalms 23 states.
“They detest me and keep their distance; they do not hesitate to spit in my face. Now that God has unstrung my bow and afflicted me, they throw off restraint in my presence.”
Job 30:10-11 NIV
When you are at your lowest point in life there will always be people that will try to push you farther and deeper than you already are forgetting that there was once a day they were in the same place you are now.
2 Yea, whereto might the strength of their hands profit me, in whom old age was perished?
3 For want and famine they were solitary; fleeing into the wilderness in former time desolate and waste.
4 Who cut up mallows by the bushes, and juniper roots for their meat.
31 My harp also is turned to mourning, and my organ into the voice of them that weep.
1: “But now I am mocked by people younger than I, by young men whose fathers are not worthy to run with my sheepdogs.”
I’m reminded of the song lyrics:
“Be careful little eyes what you see
It’s the second glance that ties your hands
As darkness pulls the strings
Be careful little feet where you go
For it’s the little feet behind you
That are sure to follow”
Those younger are watching and taking notes. No matter the time or season, what we do will impact them.
I pray we make conscious decisions, cause our choices does not only impact our lives but those around us as well as those little ones watching us.
“So I looked for good, but evil came instead. I waited for the light, but darkness fell. My heart is troubled and restless. Days of suffering torment me. I walk in gloom, without sunlight. I stand in the public square and cry for help. Instead, I am considered a brother to jackals and a companion to owls. My skin has turned dark, and my bones burn with fever. My harp plays sad music, and my flute accompanies those who weep.”
Job 30:26-31 NLT
26 When I looked for good, then evil came unto me: and when I waited for light, there came darkness.
We must understand that evil is always wating for us and that we can’t wait for god to come to us we must go to god and show him that we really want him. We must remember that when evil comes its because we are a threat to satan and we must show god that we are loyal and we are stronger than anything that tries to oppose us.
““But now I am mocked by people younger than I, by young men whose fathers are not worthy to run with my sheepdogs.”
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““But now I am mocked by people younger than I, by young men whose fathers are not worthy to run with my sheepdogs.”
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Like a Song In The Night..
And now my soul is poured out upon me; the days of affliction have taken hold upon me…
My harp also is turned to mourning, and my organ into the voice of them that weep.
Job 30:16, 31 KJV
Like a sorrowful song in the night,
like a tear that germinates from the innermost part of a broken heart, like a scream of raging agony.
If we could but for a moment tune in to that song? The song of the Broken, the desolate, the desperate…
Why? why, why!? They question.
They yell almost as if fighting against God on a futile attempt to comprehend the very essence of the indescribable.
Sometimes there must be a song let out from your heart that no one else can sing. A song that says; I’m hurt, I’m wounded, and above all I need you God. Sometimes tears must flow for they heal the soul. Sometimes we ought to just scream at the top of our lungs!!!
Bottled up tears only turn into bitterness. Drowned up screams do not get any attention. I’m not saying that we must be a cry baby, but what I am do saying is that if we want real help from God we must be real with Him!
God never told anyone to shut up for yelling his name?
JESUS, JESUS… JESUS THOU SON OF DAVID!!!! have mercy on me!!!
God never rejected a broken and contrite heart.
The psalmist says in chapter 51:6
“behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts;…”
There comes a point where He just wants you to be real. You have real problems, real pain, real wounds, real brokenness, real shame, real agony…
So give your truth and be real. Put away the shame, cast out any pride. Many times it is what keeps people from running to the altar. And it is at the Altar where you can lay all that down and that you don’t have to take it back up again.
How many victories have been left at the seat bound by fear, shame, and pride. What will people say, think? How many blessings have been left hanging on the atmosphere of promise just becuase our actions, or the lack thereof, did not release them?
If can learn something from Job is that he was faithful and he was real… Why? becuase he knew the real God that has real power
So if a tear must come out; let it!
if a scream must burst out, let it!
if a song must be played, play it! lay it all up before Him.
let it all be.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
Psalms 51:17 KJV
“They despise me and won’t come near me, except to spit in my face.”
Job 30:10
25 Did not I weep for him that was in trouble? was not my soul grieved for the poor?
26 When I looked for good, then evil came unto me: and when I waited for light, there came darkness.
27 My bowels boiled, and rested not: the days of affliction prevented me.
28 I went mourning without the sun: I stood up, and I cried in the congregation.
Sometimes we are good people, but bad things still happen to us. We can give to the poor, console them, and take pity on them and trials and tribulations still come our way. We can always try to look for the good and still be opposed by evil. Waiting for light and then only experiencing evil. But we have to get to a point where we mourn and cry in church or on our own and give it all to Him. Lay it all down and wait for His presence to intervene.
I feel This chapter has a lot of pain, emotions, feelings , Anger and questions….
9 And now am I their song, yea, I am their byword. 10 They abhor me, they flee far from me, and spare not to spit in my face.
This is the thing when you are emotionally crushed and your body is in pain and your friends and family have forsaken your trust and on top of all that you and you feel like God isn’t listening ……
It’s a horrible feeling being judged unfairly by people but later on in Job it says that when he prayed for those people things changed
Job 42:10 And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before
20 I cry unto thee, and thou dost not hear me: I stand up, and thou regardest me not.
21 Thou art become cruel to me: with thy strong hand thou opposest thyself against me.
There are times when I have called out, seeking to hear from Jesus, and he stayed his from me. Many times this is because he is wanting me to seek more, and deeper than before.
“But now I’m the one they’re after, mistreating me, taunting and mocking. They abhor me, they abuse me. How dare those scoundrels—they spit in my face! Now that God has undone me and left me in a heap, they hold nothing back. Anything goes. They come at me from my blind side, trip me up, then jump on me while I’m down. They throw every kind of obstacle in my path, determined to ruin me— and no one lifts a finger to help me! They violate my broken body, trample through the rubble of my ruined life. Terrors assault me— my dignity in shreds, salvation up in smoke.
Job 30:9-15 MSG
https://bible.com/bible/97/job.30.9-15.MSG
What if you call me and don’t feel me near you, will you still trust me?
What if I tell you to let go of the very thing that you think you have to hold, will you trust me?
Yes, I’ll trust you Lord.
What if it cost my life? YES, I’ll trust you Lord.
What if I lose the very thing I love so dear? Yes, I’ll trust you Lord.
-I’ll Trust You Lord by Donnie McClurkin
20 I cry unto thee, and thou dost not hear me: I stand up, and thou regardest me not.
My God hears my voice in the midst of my trial and situation. We need to know that his ears hear all. Good and bad. He takes our actions into regard he wants us to do what is right.
25 Did not I weep for him that was in trouble? was not my soul grieved for the poor? 26 When I looked for good, then evil came unto me: and when I waited for light, there came darkness.
We all have good intentions, to hope for the best and prepare for the worst. Job here explains his love for souls, and ministry for the kingdom. He was seeking and serving God and tragedy struck him. He doesn’t know the trial set before him but he understands the darkness before him. Job demonstrates active faith in trusting in Him no matter the darkness, he knows His marvelous light.
Upon my right hand rise the youth; they push away my feet, and they raise up against me the ways of their destruction.
For the youth have strayed against the path and believe walking in the counseling of the unjust is just.they believe sex and drugs is what life has to give them.we must show them that there is God that make them feel better than any Drug, that is God heal them of any hurt. We must reach the youth for the youth are the next leaders
Thank you Jesus!
1“But now I am mocked by people younger than I, by young men whose fathers are not worthy to run with my sheepdogs. 2 A lot of good they are to me—those worn-out wretches!
Sounds like the younger generation of today. The youth of today, are being taught at schools: be dependent on others, accept gender neutrality, everything is free, political correctness, lack of respect, ignore God, etc. As parents we must instill these attributes into our children, so they can be prepared to face the world and the enemy.