YouVersion Reformation Reading Plan, day 257

II Corinthians 10 §

The Lord gives authority to apostles (and others, I believe) for building up and not for tearing down (verse 8). And we should be careful not to compare ourselves (favorably) against others (verse 12). I am guilty of this constantly. It is more or less how I get through my day: “Oh, wow, such and such person is really good at X! But they probably don’t know anything about Y, or they probably never had to deal with Z.” God forgive me for my persistent selfish pride.

We do not boast beyond limit in the labors of others. …

II Corinthians 10:15

I don’t know that I’ve every accomplished anything on my own merit. God, help me not boast in the works of those around me who are fighting the good fight! Make me helpful to them and humble in my soul.

Job 1 §

The book of Job scares me half to death. Do I fear God for no reason (verse 9)? No, God has given every good thing to me, all that I have ever asked and more besides, yet I fear to lose it. Any of it.

Seven sons and three daughters lost in one day. Who would not fear to lose all that? Job certainly did, enough that he sacrificed continually on their behalf. And the LORD takes them away, that He might be glorified in Job’s response (and in the revelation of Himself in later chapters). God is not bound by our human sense of our rights, or of suffering, though he hears us when we cry. God is in control, and will be glorified.

“… The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.”

Job 1:21

Job 2 §

In chapter 1, it said that God gave the accuser permission to test Job by destroying his family and his wealth. Verse 3 here tells us that God destroyed Job; God took from him all those good things and caused him all that sorrow. Is God wrong? Was it OK for God to do that?

“… Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” …

Job 2: 10

Job’s friends get a lot of flak, but how many friends do you know who would sit with you in silent sackcloth and ashes for seven days?

Job 3 §

Do you think the universe (and God) have wronged you? Job curses not God or fate, but the day of his birth. And he has lost everything, in a way few of us can imagine.