JULY 7, 2016

“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it--always.” 
― Mahatma Gandhi

JOB 35-37

Elihu continues to speak...

2Listen! Listen to the roar of his voice,

to the rumbling that comes from his mouth.

3He unleashes his lightning beneath the whole heaven

and sends it to the ends of the earth.

4After that comes the sound of his roar;

he thunders with his majestic voice.

When his voice resounds,

he holds nothing back.

5God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways;

he does great things beyond our understanding.

ACTS 14

Paul heals a man and as a result is worshiped as a God...

11When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in human form!” 12Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker. 13The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates because he and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them.

14But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: 15“Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human, like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them. 16In the past, he let all nations go their own way. 17Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.” 18Even with these words, they had difficulty keeping the crowd from sacrificing to them.

19Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. 20But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.

JOURNAL 

There is so much packed into these verses. The words of Elihu to Job are so right and true yet he misses the heart of God as he fails to simply love his friend. Job doesn't need correction...he just needs his friends to be with him as he struggles through this deep valley in his life.

Here Paul goes from Hero to Zero in a matter of a few moments...yet he is undaunted as he goes right back into the city after being stoned. What amazing perseverance and focus.

I find that digging into these verses each day unearths pearls and wisdom that are easily missed. God has given us the keys to joy, purpose and perseverance. They are found in these ancient texts that bleed into the everyday struggles of my life. What a blessing, what a gift. It requires nothing other than my time, my attention and my heart. 

 5Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

 ~ DEUTERONOMY 6:5-6