Third Day

“There was a man…whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and shunned evil” (Job 1:1).

A little girl named Judy disobeyed her mother, she was sent to her room to think about her attitude and actions. Judy’s mother stood outside the door and listened to her child cry, then pout, and then began to pray. “Do you see, God, all the trouble you gotten me into? Last night I said my prayers and asked you make me a good girl, and you didn’t. So it’s really your fault, God, and it’s not my fault. You didn’t answer my prayer, so it’s up to you to make Mommy stop being mad at me.”

This is childish praying prayed with a childish attitude. Yet it’s not so far removed from much praying that takes place today. When the bad choices we make bring bad consequences upon our lives, we are quick to blame circumstances or other people or God himself. We pray, “God, if only my husband,” Or, “God, if only my wife,” Or, “God, if only you had brought me up in a more loving home,” Or, “God, if only you hadn’t made me to be so easily tempted.” We pray and play in the blame game too many times ourselves. When we come to God in prayer, by the way that is not coming to God, when we come to God with an attitude of shifting blame instead of abject humility and contrition, we are being as childish as little Judy.

God wants authentic mighty prayer, it begins in humility before our awesome and holy God. We are dependent upon God for our physical well-being, our emotional well-being, and our spiritual well-being. We are dependent for all. We have no power in prayer unless we learn to praise Him and recognize our complete dependence on Him.

“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Many of us maybe have come out of the wreckage of damaged lives. But because of God’s offer of forgiveness and His ability of rebuilding broken lives we can be lifted and secured in faith. Praise the One, the Only One, who can! We can be used again for His glory and majesty to bring honor, glory, unto the Almighty.

The Bible is filled with stories of saints who have served God in the most of trying circumstances. Noah was a shipbuilder and he preached and worked for one hundred and twenty years to get others to go with him. Joseph was a slave who later became prime minister of Egypt. Moses and Joshua fought through much pain and sorrow as military generals and leaders of God’s people.

God takes those who are willing and calls us away from the rubble of exiled living to the rejoicing of having rebuilt lives and homes. Many do not escape the damage done to their lives or even the damage they have caused themselves. But there are some who excelled in Christ. They go through life with faith in God, facing the trials, opposition, and setbacks of life with the strong, secure defense that God provides.

If you are sitting in the midst of broken down walls, damaged relationships, or feeling isolated, turn the page with me–and let the rebuilding begin. God is good. He made the stone which makes the wall. He will take us and rebuild us into the people He has predestined us to be.

“For we do not walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh” (I Corinthians 10:3).

We have secret weapons that the world knows nothing about. God has given us truth, faith, prayer, love, and service that invites our ever-present God to be with us.

Do you long for peace? Look into God’s Word and find Him. Do you long for victory? God has given us Himself. The Word of God will give you Christ.

Let us not go around stressed when we have the answer before us. He will never fail nor be unfaithful to His character. Look to Him and abide in His Word and He will give and give and give.

“Woe be unto the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! Saith the LORD” (Jeremiah 23:1).

You remember the story of Little Red Robin Hood? She was speaking to the wolf who tried to disguise himself with her grandmother’s cap. Red Robin Hood kept mentioning body parts of the wolf until finally she said, “What big teeth you have.” Of course the reply came back from the wolf, “All the better to eat you with, my dear.”

There are a lot of shepherds out there who rather eat the sheep instead of feed and teach the sheep. The True Shepherd will come one day and sue for malpractice. God’s people are to be teachers and learners at the same time. Many are hirelings who flee at the intrusion of anything. The wolves in disguise cover themselves in religious overtures but reveal themselves for what they are in the day of trouble.

May we remember that God will set up in His kingdom teachers who will lead and not drive, visit and not be self-serving, and learners instead of just talkers. One of the reasons for the mess that many local churches are in is because of many who talk Bible but who do not incarnate the Word of God.

True Shepherds will feed the sheep so that they will not fear, nor be dismayed, neither lacking in their lives. Yes, Red Robin Hood saw correctly, but she was slow to see before it was too late.

“Woe be unto the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! Saith the LORD” (Jeremiah 23:1).

You remember the story of Little Red Robin Hood? She was speaking to the wolf who tried to disguise himself with her grandmother’s cap. Red Robin Hood kept mentioning body parts of the wolf until finally she said, “What big teeth you have.” Of course the reply came back from the wolf, “All the better to eat you with, my dear.”

There are a lot of shepherds out there who rather eat the sheep instead of feed and teach the sheep. The True Shepherd will come one day and sue for malpractice. God’s people are to be teachers and learners at the same time. Many are hirelings who flee at the intrusion of anything. The wolves in disguise cover themselves in religious overtures but reveal themselves for what they are in the day of trouble.

May we remember that God will set up in His kingdom teachers who will lead and not drive, visit and not be self-serving, and learners instead of just talkers. One of the reasons for the mess that many local churches are in is because of many who talk Bible but who do not incarnate the Word of God.

True Shepherds will feed the sheep so that they will not fear, nor be dismayed, neither lacking in their lives. Yes, Red Robin Hood saw correctly, but she was slow to see before it was too late.