Scott Lane – Page 14 – The Everyday Prayer

Longer and Larger Lessons

Re:Verse passage – Job 7:1-21 (day five)“Why do you not pardon my offenses and forgive my sins?”

One of the reasons I love the scriptures is they help us see that the people in these pages and stories are… just like us. When we feel like there is injustice (to us or others) we get angry, we question God. That’s exactly what’s happening with Job. His experience has convinced him that his sacrifices have been sufficient to reflect his genuine repentance and faith. Except now. Or so he thinks (thanks in part to his friends). But what if in the midst of Job’s questions and anger, God is teaching a longer and larger lesson found in the revelation we have in the New Testament. What if even thousands of years before Christ came, God was showing that Job’s suffering was pointing to the redemptive suffering at the cross. And that in the midst of suffering, the Lord was giving us “language of lament”. First, Job’s words. Then, Jesus’ words. Now, our words.

Did They Help?

Re:Verse passage – Job 2:11-13, 22:5-6, 9-11 (day five) “Then they sat down on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights with no one speaking a word to him, for they saw that his pain was very great.”

At first glance, Job’s three friends come bringing comfort and kindness. Their motive was sincere- to help their friend. They sat with him- on the ground- and in silence. A closer look at the text might be very telling as to their ultimate effectiveness. I think their initial presence and silence were both helpful and appropriate. But to sit in silence for seven days seems a bit “eerie” to me. And the text says they didn’t speak a word to him. Perhaps they spoke to each other- further isolating Job and causing even more pain. The friends came with kind intentions, able to sympathize to a point but perhaps were unable to bring real comfort to Job. Pain and suffering tend to bring about loneliness.

I have good news. The cross and resurrection of Jesus means that no believer should ever have to suffer to the same depth of loneliness Job did, because Jesus endured far more suffering and was far more alone- suffering into death – deserted by friends and ultimately His Father. We have a savior who knows and has experienced that kind of suffering. And Jesus sends us His Holy Spirit to be with us and in us always (we are never alone). Not only that but the Holy Spirit speaks to us (not sitting beside in silence)- reminding us of God’s faithfulness, power, and promises- bringing comfort not isolation. See John 14:16, 26. We don’t have to suffer alone. Isn’t that good news?!

Permission

Re:Verse passage – Job 2:1-10, 3:11, 20-26 (day five)

So the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, he is in your power, only spare his life.”

What we learn about the satan is becomes clearer in the second heavenly council. Satan really doesn’t want Job tested, he wants Job killed. And, he wants God to do it. Peter reminds us of satan’s ultimate goal. “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” Not just attacking. Not just harming. But devouring- killing.

God continues to exercise His sovereignty. He limits what satan can do to Job. He gives him permission and instruction in regards to Job. In this scenario of unbearable suffering and sickness, God is still in control. God gives permission- sets the boundaries. Satan can only operate within those. We now watch to see how Job reacts.

Influence

Re:Verse passage – Job 1:13-22 (day five)

“Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God.” Job has just experienced unthinkable loss and tragedy. Everything to include his children- gone. Yet, the writer of Job tells us that he didn’t sin nor blame God in his reaction. Job’s reaction was both real and raw (tore robe, shaved head)- what we would do. Yet, no sin and no blaming- hopefully what we would do. How does that happen? I believe verse 5 gives us insight. “Thus Job did continually.”

Regular and frequent times of confession and repentance have shaped his heart, and influenced even his real and raw reactions. Don’t underestimate the influence of spiritual disciplines on the human heart.

Resume

Re:Verse passage – Job 1:1-12 (day five) When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would make arrangements for them to be purified. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, “Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular custom.

Part of Job’s “Righteousness Resume” was his love and sense of spiritual accountability for his children. We are told that he frequently/regularly took the initiative (made arrangements) to consider and invest in their relationship with God. As parents today, we are instructed by scripture to do the same thing. When children are younger, that means regularly/frequently taking the initiative of reading the scriptures and praying with them, as well as having spiritual conversations. When they are older (out on their own), same priority, same frequency of praying for them. I believe this also applies to grandparents as well.

As parents, scripture says we are the primary “disciplers” of our children. Maybe today and then regularly/frequently we could take initiative (like Job) to pray, read, and talk with them (younger) or for them (if older maybe send a text or email). It seems fitting that it ought to belong on our “Righteousness Resume”.

Equality

Re:Verse passage – Luke 19:11-27 (day five)

“So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. ‘Put this money to work,’ he said, ‘until I come back.’” If this parable is about the Kingdom of God (I believe it is), then what is Jesus teaching? Timing (Kingdom of God is both now and in the future), Stewardship (we are accountable for stewarding what The Lord has entrusted to us). Maybe there’s another truth that we can discover. Equality in God’s generosity. I am also studying Ephesians. In chapter one, Paul makes a wonderful declaration, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” Every believer has the same amount of blessing from God. There are not more given to others. Everyone is given an equal amount- every. Same in this parable, equal amounts given to the ten. Think about what we all have been given as believers: same Gospel, same Holy Spirit, same Scripture, etc. Entrusted to us.

“And we need never feel less blessed or more blessed than another believer.”- Richard Coekin

It’s time to “put these precious gifts to work” until Jesus returns.

Pronouns

Re:Verse passage – Luke 18:9-14 (day five)

“The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’”

Did you notice all the personal pronouns? What we have here is a declaration not a conversation. The Pharisee seemingly addresses God, but in actuality he is talking about himself to himself. The KJV actually translates the preposition in verse 11 as “with” (himself). Isn’t that a sad description of the state of affairs in his head and heart. Empty and void of a relationship with the Lord.

Made me examine my own prayers and petitions. Are they more about me or more about God? Sometimes, I write out my prayers. A good indicator of who is the focus. Is there evidence of the Lord’s presence (confession and repentance)? See Isaiah 6.

Finally, is there listening (at all)? Whose words would I rather hear? My own? Or, the Lord’s?

I am grateful for scriptures and parables that challenge, encourage, and direct me to have a vibrant relationship with the Living God.

Listen and Learn

Re:Verse passage – Luke 16:1-18 (day five)

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” These were familiar words to the disciples. Jesus spoke them in the sermon on the mount (see Matthew 6:24).

When the gospel begins to reshape our hearts and minds, priorities and values change and shift. Our perspective becomes more eternal than temporal. Paul describes this work of the Spirit as “becoming a new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17). We see possessions, money, accomplishments, and wealth in a whole new way. “Stuff” that would compete for our attention and affection for the Kingdom of God.

Here’s one of the things I love about the scriptures- its continuity and consistency. Paul shows us from his own experience and testimony, the implication and application of Jesus’ words in Luke 15. Look at Paul’s declaration in Philippians 3:7-14. (just a thumbnail- But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.)

Wanna live like that? Want that perspective? Use the scriptures and listen to Jesus and learn from Paul.

Relationship

Re:Verse passage – Luke 15:11-24 (day five)

“I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight;”

Everything had gone wrong for the prodigal son. Money gone. Famine came. Limited work and food. It got him thinking about what he truly missed and what he truly needed. He missed the meals, the standing he had in the community and at his house. But what he needed, was the love and care that came from his father. It’s significant (I think) that Jesus does not say the prodigal desired to go back to the village or to his home (to get back what he missed). Rather he had resolved to find and talk to his father. The prodigal’s greatest concern was a right relationship with his father (what he needed). You can hear it in the speech he prepared to give. How he hoped for a relationship with his father. And we know from this parable, that immediately the relationship was made right. And we know from the scriptures it can be for us too, with our Heavenly Father!!
Romans 10:13, 1 John 1:8-9

He Leaves

Re:Verse passage – Luke 15:1-10 (day five)

“What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?”

This is one of my favorite parables about the kingdom of God. It really shows the difference between Biblical Christianity and the rest of the world religions. There are many people who believe that all religions are the same. They describe a picture of a mountain and that “god” is at the top. At the bottom are humans. Each person takes a different path (religions) to the top. In the end, everyone who takes a path will end up at the top with god. (Ever heard that?). All religions are the same.

The problem with that picture is this…. The God of the Bible doesn’t stay at the top of the mountain- like the gods of all other religions. Instead, He comes down the mountain (Jesus) finds us, and brings us to the top to be with Himself.

God comes down the mountain. He leaves the ninety-nine and He searches for the lost sheep. In the parable, literally and figuratively carrying us home and taking steps that we didn’t and couldn’t. What an amazing picture! What an amazing God!! “Heaven came down and glory filled my soul!!”