Job's cry for a mediator

This might be one of those things that most of you know but some of you might not. This last week has been a little odd, in that I have been reading scripture that I have read before and seeing something completely different.

Yesterday I started reading Job and was amazed at Job's response. First is his response to tragedy. After hearing he has lost everything from 4 messengers, he responds in Job 1:21

21 He said,
“I came naked from my mother’s womb,
and I will be naked when I leave.
The Lord gave me what I had,
and the Lord has taken it away.
Praise the name of the Lord!”

How incredible a response. I know my first reaction when I loose something isn't, "Praise Ye the Lord!". But what a goal to strive for.

A little later Job's wife says to curse God and die. Yet another incredible response in Job 2:10

But Job replied, “You talk like a foolish woman. Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?” So in all this, Job said nothing wrong.

Again, I would never think to defend God when I am miserable and blame me for not being joyous. But these are the exact same things found in James 1:2-4

2 Dear brothers and sisters,t when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

What an amazing life example.

Lastly, today I also read Job's response to Bildad in Job 9:33-35

33 If only there were a mediator between us, someone who could bring us together. 34 The mediator could make God stop beating me, and I would no longer live in terror of his punishment. 35 Then I could speak to him without fear, but I cannot do that in my own strength.

How much do I take Jesus for granted. In 1st Timothy 2:3 and 4 Paul writes:

5 For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. 6 He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time.

What an answer to prayer. Because of Christ I don't have to fear simply speaking to God. Jesus intervenes and allows unhindered relationship because of the price he paid, not anything I have done. I desire to appreciate what Christ has done more. I just pray I don't have to walk through Job's shoes to do it.

Thoughts and more thoughts

I got so many thoughts, intentions, wants, desires, needs and anyother description of things to do running around in my head that sometimes I can't think. Man is that akward. But one has been coming to the surface a little more each day. I realize while I am confident in what I believe, and agree with the Baptist Faith and Message, I don't always read the Word to learn.

Sounds wierd doesn't it. Let me back up a little. I believe the Bible is the living word of God (2 Timothy 3:16). I believe we read the Bible to show us God and his attributes (Matt 22:32). I read the Bible for direction and guidance (Psalms 119:105). I could go on, but that isn't my point today.

I have started a track where I have been rereading some scripture and wonder if I loose the power of it with my current understanding of things. As an example when Christ talked with the women at the well I normally don't have the social impact of that meeting in mind. Not only was she an adulter and considered lowly in her village, but she was a Samaritan. I'm not sure what the best modern version of that would be; Baptist and Catholic, Blacks and Whites, or Yankees and Red Sox. I mean they hated each other. Yet Jesus choose to speak with the women and in turn witnessed to the whole cummunity.

Sometimes we forget that Christ was a rebel to the status quo. His statements, while true and instructional, we very bold and flew in the face of most understanding. I pray that I don't settle for what I understand now. That more and more scripture, meaning, and impact will be understood as I read.