I have concealed the words of the Holy One

The words of Job
Job 6:10
I have not concealed the words of the Holy One

To my shame and to my Saviours disappointment I cant say this

Is there perhaps a more challenging and convicting statement in scripture? I have never read that phrase and not felt guilt and conviction. Never have I been able to go to God and look back at previous days weeks and months and said, God, I am innocent - I have not concealed the words of the Holy One. To say that completely, to have a clear conscience that every moment of every day, every opportunity was seized to share the gospel - far from it.

On sunday we were walking into Sam's to buy, you guessed it - diapers, and we stopped to witness to a man in the parking lot. The man was not receptive, he took the tract, saw what it was and wanted to give it back. I attemtpted to reason with Him and let him know that we care about his soul but he walked away - off to his car. I pray for that man, but lest anyone think us faithful witnesses - how many others did I pass in that lot, in that store, on the street without offering a tract - plenty. I am regularly guilty of concealing the words of the Holy One.

I write this in rebuke of myself and if necessary, as a challenge to all my dear brothers and sisters that our emphasis, focus and standards about personal evangelism must be drastically increased - we have the words of eternal life and a King who laid down His life to make this blessed hope available - we must avail of the privilege of sharing it with others.

Job prophesied of Christ and told the world of his coming Redeemer - I pray that I would more faithfully do the same

Job 19:25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:

Doth Job fear God for naught?

I am thankful to God this morning for the three little girls asleep comfortably in bed when I left this morning.

I am thankful for a wonderful wife of 11 years, 8 months pregnant with our fourth little girl that will be ready to teach, pray with, pray for and minister to the kids.

I am grateful for God's mercy as my littlest daughter fell and hit her head on a sharp wooden corner last night and came away with only one small little cut and bruise.

I am thankful that a great wind did not come from the wilderness and smite the four corners of our house causing it to fall on my family as it did on Job's - amen?!

I am appreciative that my job my car started, my trip was safe and i had a job to work at this morning

I am glad for a family that gathered yesterday to celebrate my wife and daughters birthday and for the fellowship we had.

I am ecstatic that I have an eternal home in Glory awaiting me at the end of this life...

As we all know, God allowed Satan to take his best shot at making Job turn on God - and what a shot it was...

Job 1:22 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.

As much as you the readers and I would like to have God point to us when dealing with Satan and say - Hast thou considered my servant...(Insert Name), this is one of those chapters that makes us really consider the cost that may be associated with that.

How glad i am to know that regardless of the challenge, the affliction or the trial - the victory is assured already through Christ!
Rom 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Rom 8:36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Rom 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
Rom 8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Rom 8:39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

In my weakness and anguish I cant say that I would recite Job's response if such tragedy befell me.

I read this today and said, we dont fear God for naught - how much closer I need to draw nigh to God so that it is His strength and not my flesh and reasoning that takes over when afflictions arise. The strength and the grace come from Him alone - no one reading this would stand a chance of being able to deal with such tribulation in their own strength.

Yet, How many examples can you think of where the grace of God provided such amazing help in the midst of difficulty that you could only wonder at how awesome God is. Take some time and praise Him for those displays of His love and grace.

I remember my little Anna being born. We did not know right away that she was born with a cleft palate. She was delivered through an emergency C section and then within hours they had to take my wife back in for emergency surgery. The following morning my little 7 pound Anna choked. Since she had the cleft, both her airways were fully blocked. The doctor started flipping her upside down and hitting her back with tremendous force. We watched with horror as she turned purple and they rushed her out of the room. I followed them out but they closed the door on me in the treatment room. Her heart rate dropped to 29. I never thought I'd see her alive again. I fell to my knees and uttered the most heartfelt cry to God I could. God, save her. Why God in His mercy spared my wife and daughter at that time while somewhere in the world I expect the outcome of tragic events were not so positive I wont understand until glory. We are not expected to understand God's ways, but we can know they are Good (Rom 8:28) and that we can trust Him even though we don't understand (Prov 3:5-6). The grace of God displayed, the support and prayers of friends, the testimony to others - looking back I can now see the good that it brought and the strength that it built.

How grateful I am that God did not put me through what Job went through and how grateful I am for the grace that God at this moment is giving to those who have and are going through far worse that what we experienced.

I pray that experience taught me that I dont fear God for naught...

Happy 3rd birthday Anna (10/18) - you are a treasure I dont deserve - as are all my girls and my wonderful wife