Title:Facing Dark Times /Topic: Spiritual Maturity

Today’s Reading: Job 28; Job 29; Galatians 1; Galatians 2

Scripture: Job 29:1-6
1 Job continued his discourse:
2 "How I long for the months gone by, for the days when God watched over me,
3 when his lamp shone upon my head and by his light I walked through darkness!
4 Oh, for the days when I was in my prime, when God's intimate friendship blessed my house,
5 when the Almighty was still with me and my children were around me,
6 when my path was drenched with cream and the rock poured out for me streams of olive oil.

Observation: Job is lamenting the loss of feeling God's presence with him and the loss of God's blessings in his life. He has lost his health, his family, his friends' support, and the respect of others. He has no sense that God is still with him. All seems bleak and dark to him and he sees no purpose to his life. But we know from reading further in the book of Job that his perceptions are not true. God is still watching over him even through these dark times.

Application: Every mature believer I have ever met has had at least one of these “wilderness experiences” with God. Why does God allow these kinds of difficult testings in our lives? I do not claim to have all the answers to that question. But I have experienced several of these desert times in my own life, when God seemed to have completely abandoned me. I have learned that I come through on the other side just fine IF I keep doing what I know is the right thing to do. Perhaps God puts us through these trials to grow us up into people who don't have to rely on the comfort of feeling his presence to serve him. Mature believers will keep obeying the Word no matter what their emotions may be. To trust God through times of heartbreak, loss, or transition and to trust that he is good despite what we are experiencing is to gain a perspective on God that we can gain in no other way. If we do not learn to trust him in these times we will become bitter.

Prayer: Father, I do not like times of testing and trial, but I want to walk in the ways of righteousness no matter what I am going through. I want to bring you honor in all situations. Help me to do the right thing always and to seek your face and press through times when I don't understand why you are allowing dark times in my life. I want to know you and the power of your resurrection when it seems I am facing death. I love you, Lord. Thank you that you paid the price for my redemption once and for all. Nothing I go through can separate me from your love.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Standing Up for God/Topic: Witnessing

Today’s Reading: Job 25; Mark 13; Mark 14

Scripture: Mark 13:9-11
9 "You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. 10 And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. 11 Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.

Observation: When I read this I thought, “Lord, I have failed you so many times in boldly witnessing to people about your saving power. How can I be sure I will not fail you if I am being hauled up before governors and kings?”. I am too worried about offending people's sensibilities. But I know that whenever I am asked about my faith, I do share it boldly. Maybe it is easier to be a witness when backed up against the wall such as Jesus is describing here. I must trust that God's grace in my life will help me not only if I must face death because of my belief that Jesus is the only way to salvation but also when I have an opportunity to share with someone and possibly lead them to Jesus.

Application/Prayer: Give me more boldness, Lord! You told us to “work while it is still day”. Help me to serve you well and to tell others the way of salvation without thinking of how they may reject me if they are closed to the gospel. People need you so desperately and I want to be a soul-winner. Give me opportunities and wisdom in sharing the Word of Life with others.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.