today's meditation (Psalm 12) Being Protected

(Dear Lord Jesus, guide me and give me insight as I read and study Your word, and let it be the meditation of my heart...)

(Psalm 12:1-8)  Help, Lord, for the godly person has come to an end,

     For the faithful have disappeared from the sons of mankind.
2   They speak lies to one another;
     They speak with flattering lips and a double heart.
3   May the Lord cut off all flattering lips,
     The tongue that speaks great things;
4   Who have said, “With our tongue we will prevail;
     Our lips are our own; who is lord over us?”
5   “Because of the devastation of the poor, because of the groaning of the needy,
     Now I will arise,” says the Lord; “I will put him in the safety for which he longs.”

6   The words of the Lord are pure words;
     Like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, filtered seven times.
7   You, Lord, will keep them;
     You will protect him from this generation forever.
8   The wicked strut about on every side 
     When vileness is exalted among the sons of mankind.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

No matter what evil exists, the Lord will help the believer.  It is difficult for people to be faithful, but God is faithful.  The Lord will keep and protect us.  And our salvation is forever.  Nothing or no one can change that.  God promises us in His word, and His words are pure - holy and true!  So we can fully trust and depend on Him with great confidence.  

today's meditation (Psalm 11) Taking Refuge

(Dear Lord Jesus, guide me and give me insight as I read and study Your word, and let it be the meditation of my heart...)

(Psalm 11:1-7)   In the Lord I take refuge;

     How can you say to my soul, “Flee as a bird to your mountain?
2   For, behold, the wicked bend the bow,
     They have set their arrow on the string 
     To shoot in darkness at the upright in heart.
3   If the foundations are destroyed,
     What can the righteous do?”

4   The Lord is in His holy temple; the Lord’s throne is in heaven;
     His eyes see, His eyelids test the sons of mankind.
5   The Lord tests the righteous and the wicked,
     And His soul hates one who loves violence.
6   He will rain coals of fire upon the wicked,
     And brimstone and burning wind will be the portion of their cup.
7   For the Lord is righteous, He loves righteousness;
     The upright will see His face.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

When faced with struggles, the world would suggest that a person stay and fight or run for the hills, but then you are trusting in your own feeble strength and in your own very limited wisdom.  God, who sees and knows everything,  AND LOVES US, is the very clear choice.  We should always run to Him, and let Him fight our battles.

The "upright" and the "righteous" are terms for those who are believers.  True Christians are those who have put their faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.  If we have already done that, why would we not take refuge in the Lord?  And if someone hasn't done that, until you die, it is never to late... and it is never too soon!

today's meditation (Psalm 10) Knowing the Presence of the Lord

(Dear Lord Jesus, guide me and give me insight as I read and study Your word, and let it be the meditation of my heart...)

(Psalm 1-0:1-18)  Why do You stand far away, Lord?

     Why do You hide Yourself in times of trouble?
2   In arrogance the wicked hotly pursue the needy;
     Let them be caught in the plots which they have devised.

3   For the wicked boasts of his soul’s desire,
     And the greedy person curses and shows disrespect to the Lord.
4   The wicked, in his haughtiness, does not seek Him.
     There is no God in all his schemes.

5   His ways succeed at all times;
     Yet Your judgments are on high, out of his sight;
     As for all his enemies, he snorts at them.
6   He says to himself, “I will not be moved;
     Throughout the generations I will not be in adversity.”
7   His mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and oppression;
     Under his tongue is harm and injustice.
8   He sits in the lurking places of the villages;
     He kills the innocent in the secret places;
     His eyes surreptitiously watch for the unfortunate.
9   He lurks in secret like a lion in his lair;
     He lurks to catch the needy;
     He catches the needy when he pulls him into his net.
10 Then he crushes the needy one, who cowers;
     And unfortunate people fall by his mighty power.
11 He says to himself, “God has forgotten;
     He has hidden His face; He will never see it.”

12 Arise, Lord; God, lift up Your hand.
     Do not forget the humble.
13 Why has the wicked treated God disrespectfully?
     He has said to himself, “You will not require an account.”
14 You have seen it, for You have looked at harm and provocation to take it into Your hand.
     The unfortunate commits himself to You;
     You have been the helper of the orphan.
15 Break the arm of the wicked and the evildoer,
     Seek out his wickedness until You find none.

16 The Lord is King forever and ever;
     Nations have perished from His land.
17 Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble;
     You will strengthen their heart, You will make Your ear attentive 
18 To vindicate the orphan and the oppressed,
     So that mankind, which is of the earth, will no longer cause terror.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

Verses 5 and 13 says, the wicked think that they are getting away with murder, and stealing and...  To the wicked, as well as to us believers at times, God may not seem like He is involved or present, but He most definitely is.  The nations will be judged during the Tribulation.  And there will be a day when all the wicked are brought to account and punished for all crimes.  

Meanwhile, for right now, we must know - the Lord hears and sees everything.  The Lord is everywhere.  The Lord is King forever and ever... not just for in the future, but He has been in the past, and He is right now.  He helps and strengthens those who humbly seek Him and commit to Him and desire to know Him better.  

today's meditation (Psalm 9) Meditating and Reflecting

(Dear Lord Jesus, guide me and give me insight as I read and study Your word, and let it be the meditation of my heart...)

(Psalm 9:1-20)  I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart;

     I will tell of all Your wonders.
2   I will rejoice and be jubilant in You;
     I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.

3   When my enemies turn back,
     They stumble and perish before You.
4   For You have maintained my just cause;
     You have sat on the throne judging righteously.
5   You have rebuked the nations, You have eliminated the wicked;
     You have wiped out their name forever and ever.
6   The enemy has come to an end in everlasting ruins,
     And You have uprooted the cities;
     The very memory of them has perished.

7   But the Lord sits as King forever;
     He has established His throne for judgment,
8   And He will judge the world in righteousness;
     He will execute judgment for the peoples fairly.
9   The Lord will also be a stronghold for the oppressed,
     A stronghold in times of trouble;
10 And those who know Your name will put their trust in You,
     For You, Lord, have not abandoned those who seek You.

11 Sing praises to the Lord, who dwells in Zion;
     Declare His deeds among the peoples.
12 For He who requires blood remembers them;
     He does not forget the cry of the needy.
13 Be gracious to me, Lord;
     See my oppression from those who hate me,
     You who lift me up from the gates of death,
14 So that I may tell of all Your praises,
     That in the gates of the daughter of Zion 
     I may rejoice in Your salvation.
15 The nations have sunk down into the pit which they have made;
     In the net which they hid, their own foot has been caught.
16 The Lord has made Himself known;
     He has executed judgment.
     A wicked one is ensnared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion Selah 

17 The wicked will return to Sheol,
     All the nations who forget God.
18 For the needy will not always be forgotten,
     Nor the hope of the afflicted perish forever.
19 Arise, Lord, do not let mankind prevail;
     Let the nations be judged before You.
20 Put them in fear, Lord;
     Let the nations know that they are merely human. Selah

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

Since David wrote these chapters in Psalms as songs, "Selah" is most likely a musical notation to pause (like a rest note) in order to meditate on the point that was just made.  So "Higgaion Selah" would be like an extended rest note (with a bird's eye on top), as a suggestion to take a longer moment to solemnly reflect and mediate on what has just been said.  

The solemn point that David made was that - where there is sin, there is death.  There is a need for blood to be shed.  All of us are born into sin and deserve death, unless and until we choose to accept Jesus and His work on the cross as payment for our own sins.  When we do this, we can rejoice in His eternal salvation that He provides through His blood that was shed for us.  And He will never forget us.  Our salvation is eternal and secure.

We should also never forget that the Lord is fair and just, and there will come a day of reckoning - for everyone.  So another point to meditate on and consider is - what are we doing and saying so that others will come to know that they are merely human and in need of saving and having Jesus in their lives?  Part of meditating and reflecting is so that we will reflect Jesus and His truths which we have studied and processed, in order to put those into practice, every day and every minute of our lives.

today's meditation (Psalm 8) Being Good Stewards

(Dear Lord Jesus, guide me and give me insight as I read and study Your word, and let it be the meditation of my heart...)

(Psalm 8:1-9)  Lord, our Lord,

     How majestic is Your name in all the earth,
     You who have displayed Your splendor above the heavens!
2   From the mouths of infants and nursing babies You have established strength 
     Because of Your enemies,
     To do away with the enemy and the revengeful.

3   When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
     The moon and the stars, which You have set in place;
4   What is man that You think of him,
     And a son of man that You are concerned about him?
5   Yet You have made him a little lower than God,
     And You crown him with glory and majesty!
6   You have him rule over the works of Your hands;
     You have put everything under his feet,
7   All sheep and oxen,
     And also the animals of the field,
8   The birds of the sky, and the fish of the sea,
     Whatever passes through the paths of the seas.

9   Lord, our Lord,
     How majestic is Your name in all the earth!

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

Our Lord and Savior created all things with splendor and majesty.  And then created us with a purpose and a value that is even greater than all those things.  On top of that, He allows us to govern these things.  

We may not be the best rulers, or grounds-keepers, or the greatest ambassadors, but He loves and cares for us, still.  He did not come to pay the price for all sin for nothing.  God's love and care for His children will never diminish!

I'm just so very thankful that God oversees us overseeing His creation.  Because He is Sovereign, no matter how badly mankind messes things up, God does and will step in where and when needed.  And always, we can ask for help and guidance - to be the best stewards of everything He has given to us!!!

today's meditation (Psalm 7) Knowing Righteousness

(Dear Lord Jesus, guide me and give me insight as I read and study Your word, and let it be the meditation of my heart...)

(Psalm 7:1-17)  O Lord my God, in You I have taken refuge;

     Save me from all those who pursue me, and rescue me,
2   Or he will tear my soul like a lion,
     Dragging me away, while there is no one to rescue me.

3   O Lord my God, if I have done this,
     If there is injustice in my hands,
4   If I have done evil to my friend,
     Or have plundered my enemy for no reason,
5   Let the enemy pursue my soul and overtake it;
     And let him trample my life to the ground 
     And lay my glory in the dust. Selah 

6   Arise, Lord, in Your anger;
     Raise Yourself against the rage of my enemies,
     And stir Yourself for me; You have ordered judgment.
7   Let the assembly of the peoples encompass You,
     And return on high over it.
8   The Lord judges the peoples;
     Vindicate me, Lord, according to my righteousness and my integrity that is in me.
9   Please let the evil of the wicked come to an end, but establish the righteous;
     For the righteous God puts hearts and minds to the test.
10 My shield is with God,
     Who saves the upright in heart.
11 God is a righteous judge,
     And a God who shows indignation every day.

12 If one does not repent, He will sharpen His sword;
     He has bent His bow and taken aim.
13 He has also prepared deadly weapons for Himself;
     He makes His arrows fiery shafts.
14 Behold, an evil person is pregnant with injustice,
     And he conceives harm and gives birth to lies.
15 He has dug a pit and hollowed it out,
     And has fallen into the hole which he made.
16 His harm will return on his own head,
     And his violence will descend on the top of his own head.

17 I will give thanks to the Lord according to His righteousness
     And will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

God puts people to the test, and the way to pass the test is to look to Him for all our answers and solutions.  Becoming a believer through Jesus's work on the cross is the only thing that will shield us from judgment and eternal death.  Repentance is what makes our hearts upright, and having the righteousness of Jesus in our hearts is our hope. 

I remember a movie that I watched ages ago, where a man was struggling with life and purpose.  Him and his friends decided to go on a guy's trip - to get away and kind of "find themselves" again.  In their adventures, their old and knowledgably guide cryptically told the younger man, "There is only one thing."  This drove the guy nuts, "What is it?  What is the 'one thing'?"  

The old man never said.  But by the end of the movie, after some epic struggles and near death experiences, the younger man realized the "one thing" - which was - what was most important to him.  For this guy, it was his family.  Once he realized this, he was eager and happy and very thankful to get back home again to work on those relationships.

In actual reality, the "ONE THING" is Jesus.  And He should be most important in our lives.  It is Jesus who gives us true hope and purpose.  When we realize this, we will be very eager to give thanks and sing praises to our Lord and Savior, and we will want to work on our relationship with Him!

today's meditation (Psalm 6) Being Honest

(Dear Lord Jesus, guide me and give me insight as I read and study Your word, and let it be the meditation of my heart...)

(Psalm 6:1-10)  Lord, do not rebuke me in Your anger,

     Nor discipline me in Your wrath.
2   Be gracious to me, Lord, for I am frail;
     Heal me, Lord, for my bones are horrified.
3   And my soul is greatly horrified;
     But You, Lord—how long?

4   Return, Lord, rescue my soul;
     Save me because of Your mercy.
5   For there is no mention of You in death;
     In Sheol, who will praise You?

6   I am weary with my sighing;
     Every night I make my bed swim,
     I flood my couch with my tears.
7   My eye has wasted away with grief;
     It has grown old because of all my enemies.

8   Leave me, all you who practice injustice,
     For the Lord has heard the sound of my weeping.
9   The Lord has heard my pleading,
     The Lord receives my prayer.
10 All my enemies will be put to shame and greatly horrified;
     They shall turn back, they will suddenly be put to shame.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

David was being very honest with God about his feelings, but even David realized that his weariness was "getting old".  We can vent to God, but then we must at some point turn those feelings of despair into hope, knowing that God does hear our prayers for healing and help, and God will rescue us.  

today's meditation (Psalm 5) Finding the Path of Salvation

(Dear Lord Jesus, guide me and give me insight as I read and study Your word, and let it be the meditation of my heart...)

(Psalm 5:1-12)  Listen to my words, Lord,

     Consider my sighing.
2   Listen to the sound of my cry for help, my King and my God,
     For to You I pray.
3   In the morning, Lord, You will hear my voice;
     In the morning I will present my prayer to You and be on the watch.

4   For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness;
     No evil can dwell with You.
5   The boastful will not stand before Your eyes;
     You hate all who do injustice.
6   You destroy those who speak lies;
     The Lord loathes the person of bloodshed and deceit.
7   But as for me, by Your abundant graciousness I will enter Your house,
     At Your holy temple I will bow in reverence for You.

8   Lord, lead me in Your righteousness because of my enemies;
     Make Your way straight before me.
9   For there is nothing trustworthy in their mouth;
     Their inward part is destruction itself.
     Their throat is an open grave;
     They flatter with their tongue.
10 Make them pay, God;
     Have them fall by their own schemes!
     Scatter them in the multitude of their wrongdoings,
     For they are rebellious against You.

11 But rejoice, all who take refuge in You,
     Sing for joy forever!
     And may You shelter them,
     That those who love Your name may rejoice in You.
12 For You bless the righteous person, Lord,
     You surround him with favor as with a shield.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

This passage lays out the salvation message very clearly: 

Verse 4 - no evil can dwell with God

Verse 9 - the path of the unbelievers is corrupt and tricky and leads to death

Verse 8 - the path to salvation is straight and simple

Verse 7 - only through choosing the Lord (Jesus)'s forgiveness and grace, may we enter His house

Verse 8 - only through the Lord (Jesus)'s righteousness are we seen as righteous

Verse 5 - only the humble will stand before God

Verse 11- only those who take refuge in the Lord will rejoice and sing for all eternity  

Verse 11 - only those who love God's name will rejoice

Verse 12 - only the righteous will be blessed and protected

Verse 2 - even king David chose to make the Lord - King over his personal life

Jesus needs to be our first love and first priority, with a humble heart and a desire to serve and worship Him, and Him only.  We should want Jesus to reign over us and guide us in everything we say and do, because of His love for us.  

today's meditation (Psalm 4) Meditating and Trusting

(Dear Lord Jesus, guide me and give me insight as I read and study Your word, and let it be the meditation of my heart...)

(Psalm 4:1-8)  Answer me when I call, God of my righteousness!

     You have relieved me in my distress;
     Be gracious to me and hear my prayer.

2   You sons of man, how long will my honor be treated as an insult?
     How long will you love what is worthless and strive for a lie?  Selah
3   But know that the Lord has set apart the godly person for Himself;
     The Lord hears when I call to Him.

4   Tremble, and do not sin;
     Meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah
5   Offer the sacrifices of righteousness,
     And trust in the Lord.

6   Many are saying, “Who will show us anything good?”
     Lift up the light of Your face upon us, Lord!
7   You have put joy in my heart,
     More than when their grain and new wine are abundant.
8   In peace I will both lie down and sleep,
     For You alone, Lord, have me dwell in safety.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

When we call out to the Lord for our help, we will learn that He hears and answers us.  When we meditate on Him and His word, we will see that His word renews our minds, and He works in our hearts.  As God works in our lives, we will learn to trust IN Him even more than we already do.  

When we really trust in the Lord, we should not have a problem with giving our tithes and offerings to Him, because He will see to it that we have enough.  And we will learn to be content in all things.

When we really trust in the Lord, we will not have a problem with being still.  If we have given the Lord our problems, we should not turn around and take matters into our own hands.  Trusting in the Lord is to rest in Him, being patient, and knowing to wait for Him to sort things out.

When we do these things, no matter what we are going through... God hears us;  God relieves us in times of distress and provides peace and safety.  God keeps us in His hand and never lets go;  and God puts joy in our hearts.  We will be blessed when we meditate on these things.

today's meditation (Psalm 3) Keep Focusing on the Lord

(Dear Lord Jesus, guide me and give me insight as I read and study Your word, and let it be the meditation of my heart...)

(Psalm 3:1-8)  Lord, how my enemies have increased!

     Many are rising up against me.
2   Many are saying of my soul,
    “There is no salvation for him in God.” Selah 

3   But You, Lord, are a shield around me,
     My glory, and the One who lifts my head.
4   I was crying out to the Lord with my voice,
     And He answered me from His holy mountain. Selah 
5   I lay down and slept;
     I awoke, for the Lord sustains me.
6   I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people 
     Who have set themselves against me all around.

7   Arise, Lord; save me, my God!
     For You have struck all my enemies on the cheek;
     You have shattered the teeth of the wicked.
8   Salvation belongs to the Lord;
     May Your blessing be upon Your people! Selah 

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

Up until now, I always just assumed that "selah" meant peace.  I guess in some ways it could.  After a bit of google research, the meaning of this word isn't known, but some speculate that because David is writing songs to sing, "selah" could be like the musical symbol of a rest note.  In other words, have a poignant pause right there, in order to mediate on what has just been said.  Let that thought sink in for a bit. 

In this particular passage, we find three "selahs".  So what points are we to mediate on?  First of all, we will experience struggles in life.  If anyone had enemies out to kill them, it was David.  And if anyone had committed some very "serious" sins, it was David.  So as a strong believer (Christian), a huge betrayal and insult would be when someone slanders, gossips, and accuses you of being so wicked, there's no way that you are saved, and your sins prove that you are beyond saving!  

For anyone to say this sort of thing about anyone is doing the work of Satan, who plants seeds of skepticism, and makes accusations against God's children.  The intentions are to cause believers to doubt, and walk away from God.  But these tactics are only affective when we stop focusing on God, and put the focus on ourselves and the world.  YES - THEN - things will look bleak and hopeless!  So the second "selah" points out that we need to keep or put our focus back on God and cry out to Him.

This third and final "selah" is for us to meditate on God, and remember how He answers prayers!  Whether the attacks on us  are physical, psychological or emotional... these all work together to work against us.  But they will not be a threat when we are consistently seeking a close relationship with God.  When we focus on Him, we will realize His power, faithfulness and love!  The Lord is our shield, Who protects!  The Lord is our glory, Who gives us confidence!  The Lord is our sustainer, Who gives us strength and guidance!  The Lord is our salvation, Who gives us assurance and peace!  And this is forever!!!  Selah!!!  

today's meditation (Psalm 2) Taking Refuge in Jesus

(Dear Lord Jesus, guide me and give me insight as I read and study Your word, and let it be the meditation of my heart...)

(Psalm 2:1-12)   Why are the nations restless 

     And the peoples plotting in vain?
2   The kings of the earth take their stand 
     And the rulers conspire together 
     Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying,
3  “Let’s tear their shackles apart 
     And throw their ropes away from us!”

4   He who sits in the heavens laughs,
     The Lord scoffs at them.
5   Then He will speak to them in His anger 
     And terrify them in His fury, saying,
6  “But as for Me, I have installed My King 
     Upon Zion, My holy mountain.”

7  “I will announce the decree of the Lord:
     He said to Me, ‘You are My Son,
     Today I have fathered You.
8   Ask it of Me, and I will certainly give the nations as Your inheritance,
     And the ends of the earth as Your possession.
9  You shall break them with a rod of iron,
     You shall shatter them like earthenware.’”

10 Now then, you kings, use insight;
     Let yourselves be instructed, you judges of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with reverence 
     And rejoice with trembling.
12 Kiss the Son, that He not be angry and you perish on the way,
     For His wrath may be kindled quickly.
     How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

This passage is laid out very simply.  The first portion talks about the restlessness in the world, which is a result of those who work against the Lord.  And there will be restlessness in the hearts of anyone who rejects and works against God.

The middle portion tells us that Jesus is already King and sits on His heavenly throne, knowing that one day He will return to earth to bring about immediate justice and a time of physical peace.  This is when He will sit on His earthly throne and set up the Millennial kingdom.  After His thousand year reign, He will judge all unbelievers of all time at the White Throne Judgment.

The last portion of the passage gives us hope for right now!  To find God's blessings and inner peace, all we have to do is take refuge in Jesus.  This is opposite of working against the Lord, but instead asking Him for forgiveness of our sins, so that we may approach and greet the Lord "with a kiss".  This is only possible when we have a personal relationship with the King of kings.  In essence, to take refuge in Jesus is to always allow Him to be our personal King.

Today's meditation (Psalm 1) Choosing the Good Path

(Dear Lord Jesus, guide me and give me insight as I read and study Your word, and let it be the meditation of my heart...)

(Psalm 1:1-6) 

1   Blessed is the person who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
     Nor stand in the path of sinners,
     Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
2   But his delight is in the Law of the Lord,
     And on His Law he meditates day and night.
3   He will be like a tree planted by streams of water,
     Which yields its fruit in its season,
     And its leaf does not wither;
     And in whatever he does, he prospers.

4   The wicked are not so,
     But they are like chaff which the wind blows away.
5   Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
     Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
6   For the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
     But the way of the wicked will perish.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

Unbelievers do not know or understand "the way of the righteous".  Their thinking is in essence the complete opposite of what God teaches us in His word; so why would we even entertain the idea of seeking counsel from the world?  Let alone be part of their plans and shenanigans?  Or even just put ourselves in a position where we could be swept up in their path of destruction?

I just remembered this, and it makes a great analogy!  In our living room, I had some kind of plant which was struggling.  Not just struggling - it was a pathetic eyesore.  I was about ready to toss it out, so for the meantime, I moved it to the other side of the room to a less prominent place.  The funny thing is, the sun shone into that entire room the exact same way, yet for whatever reason, that plant started to grow like crazy.  In a couple  of months, it went from 3 leaves which were about 2 feet high - to a full and lush 6 foot tree.

In the same way, standing in a different path - on the good path - can make such a huge difference in our lives!  To be around good friends who are well-grounded in the Lord will provide sound advice.  To embrace biblical wisdom and guidance will provide nourishment.  To seek out God and His will, and keep these in mind as we go through life, will help us to flourish!

today's meditation (Job 42) Humbly Trusting

(Dear Lord Jesus, guide me and give me insight as I read and study Your word, and let it be the meditation of my heart...)

(Job 42:1-17) Then Job answered the Lord and said,

2  “I know that You can do all things,
     And that no plan is impossible for You.
3   ‘Who is this who conceals advice without knowledge?’
     Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand,
     Things too wonderful for me, which I do not know.
4   ‘Please listen, and I will speak;
     I will ask You, and You instruct me.’
5   I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear;
     But now my eye sees You;
6   Therefore I retract,
     And I repent, sitting on dust and ashes.”

7  It came about after the Lord had spoken these words to Job, that the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “My wrath is kindled against you and against your two friends, because you have not spoken of Me what is trustworthy, as My servant Job has. 8 Now therefore, take for yourselves seven bulls and seven rams, and go to My servant Job, and offer up a burnt offering for yourselves, and My servant Job will pray for you. For I will accept him so as not to do with you as your foolishness deserves, because you have not spoken of Me what is trustworthy, as My servant Job has.” 9 So Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite went and did as the Lord told them; and the Lord accepted Job.

10 The Lord also restored the fortunes of Job when he prayed for his friends, and the Lord increased double all that Job had. 11 Then all his brothers, all his sisters, and all who had known him before came to him, and they ate bread with him in his house; and they sympathized with him and comforted him for all the adversities that the Lord had brought on him. And each one gave him a piece of money, and each a ring of gold. 12 The Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning; and he had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand female donkeys. 13 He also had seven sons and three daughters. 14 He named the first Jemimah, the second Keziah, and the third Keren-happuch. 15 In all the land no women were found as beautiful as Job’s daughters; and their father gave them inheritances among their brothers. 16 After this, Job lived 140 years, and saw his sons and his grandsons, four generations. 17 And Job died, an old man and full of days.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

Job humbled himself before the Lord and repented, but God only blessed Job after he obeyed what God had asked him to do.  Then God gave Job double what he had before, including the children!  Having ten children before, he got ten more - which was still double - because he would still see the ten who passed away later, in heaven.  

 Today's meditation and "takeaway" is that, no matter how long we've been a believer, we will still struggle.  And no matter what we are going through, we should remain humble before God, continue to seek God's instruction, repent when needed, and steadfastly obey the Lord.  How God chooses to test us and bless us - is up to God.  Therefore it is to our benefit to trust Him and His will for us - always!

today's meditation (Job 40-41) Conversing with God

(Dear Lord Jesus, guide me and give me insight as I read and study Your word, and let it be the meditation of my heart...)

(Job 40:1-24)  Then the Lord said to Job,

2  “Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty?
     Let him who rebukes God give an answer.”

3   Then Job answered the Lord and said,

4  “Behold, I am insignificant; what can I say in response to You?
     I put my hand on my mouth.
5   I have spoken once, and I will not reply;
     Or twice, and I will add nothing more.”

6   Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind and said,

7  “Now tighten the belt on your waist like a man;
     I will ask you, and you instruct Me.
8   Will you really nullify My judgment?
     Will you condemn Me so that you may be justified?
9   Or do you have an arm like God,
     And can you thunder with a voice like His?

10 “Adorn yourself with pride and dignity,
     And clothe yourself with honor and majesty.
11 Let out your outbursts of anger,
     And look at everyone who is arrogant, and humble him.
12 Look at everyone who is arrogant, and humble him,
     And trample down the wicked where they stand.
13 Hide them together in the dust;
     Imprison them in the hidden place.
14 Then I will also confess to you,
     That your own right hand can save you.

15 “Behold, Behemoth, which I made as well as you;
     He eats grass like an ox.
16 Behold, his strength in his waist,
     And his power in the muscles of his belly.
17 He hangs his tail like a cedar;
     The tendons of his thighs are knit together.
18 His bones are tubes of bronze;
     His limbs are like bars of iron.

19 “He is the first of the ways of God;
     Let his Maker bring His sword near.
20 Indeed the mountains bring him food,
     And all the animals of the field play there.
21 He lies down under the lotus plants,
     In the hiding place of the reeds and the marsh.
22 The lotus plants cover him with shade;
     The willows of the brook surround him.
23 If a river rages, he is not alarmed;
     He is confident, though the Jordan rushes to his mouth.
24 Can anyone capture him when he is on watch,
     Can anyone pierce his nose with barbs?

(Job 41:1-34) 

1  “Can you drag out Leviathan with a fishhook,
     And press down his tongue with a rope?
2   Can you put a rope in his nose,
     And pierce his jaw with a hook?
3   Will he make many pleas to you,
     Or will he speak to you gentle words?
4   Will he make a covenant with you?
     Will you take him as a servant forever?
5   Will you play with him as with a bird,
     And tie him down for your young girls?
6   Will the traders bargain for him?
     Will they divide him among the merchants?
7   Can you fill his skin with harpoons,
     Or his head with fishing spears?
8   Lay your hand on him.
     Remember the battle; you will not do it again!
9   Behold, your expectation is false;
     Will you be hurled down even at the sight of him?
10 No one is so reckless that he dares to stir him;
     Who then is he who opposes Me?
11 Who has been first to give to Me, that I should repay him?
     Whatever is under the entire heaven is Mine.

12 “I will not be silent about his limbs,
     Or his mighty strength, or his graceful frame.
13 Who can strip off his outer covering?
     Who can pierce his double armor?
14 Who can open the doors of his face?
     Around his teeth there is terror.
15 His strong scales are his pride,
     Locked as with a tight seal.
16 One is so close to another 
     That no air can come between them.
17 They are joined one to another;
     They clasp each other and cannot be separated.
18 His sneezes flash forth light,
     And his eyes are like the eye of dawn.
19 From his mouth go burning torches;
     Sparks of fire leap forth.
20 From his nostrils smoke goes out 
     As from a boiling pot and burning reeds.
21 His breath sets coals aglow,
     And a flame goes forth from his mouth.
22 In his neck dwells strength,
     And dismay leaps before him.
23 The folds of his flesh are joined together,
     Firm and immovable on him.
24 His heart is as firm as a stone,
     And as firm as a lower millstone.
25 When he rises up, the mighty are afraid;
     Because of the crashing they are bewildered.
26 The sword that reaches him cannot prevail,
     Nor the spear, the dart, or the javelin.
27 He regards iron as straw,
     Bronze as rotten wood.
28 The arrow cannot make him flee;
     Slingstones are turned into stubble for him.
29 Clubs are regarded as stubble;
     He laughs at the rattling of the javelin.
30 His underparts are like sharp pieces of pottery;
     He spreads out like a threshing sledge on the mud.
31 He makes the depths boil like a pot;
     He makes the sea like a jar of ointment.
32 Behind him he illuminates a pathway;
     One would think the deep to be gray-haired.
33 Nothing on earth is like him,
     One made without fear.
34 He looks on everything that is high;
     He is king over all the sons of pride.”

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

God has made all things and God is in control, yet God still cares for us.  We, on the other hand, certainly cannot control nature, therefore we certainly cannot save ourselves, and we most certainly cannot challenge God!  As said in verses 41:10-11, if we think we can control God or even barter with God, we are fooling ourselves.  

Everything belongs to God, so what can we possibly give Him???  The ONLY thing we can give of value is our humble heart!!!   

Notice in the long first part of the conversation, God only spoke with Job.  As well, God not only allowed Job to respond to Him, but He asked Job for his response.  God desires a personal relationship with us.  And the Lord who made the universe wants to have intimate conversations with us.