Thought for the Week: Job 19

God In Control of the Situation
Inspiring Song: My Redeemer Lives

In Job 16-19, Job agonises over
his situation. Whilst his three friends
explain that he must be suffering
because of some terrible sins,
Job argues that he hasn’t sinned
enough to deserve such suffering.
Job 19:25-26 inspired praise song
My Redeemer Lives which was
released by Hillsong in year 1999.
The song says Jesus rescued our
soul; taking the shame and pain we
feel; and helping us in our problems.
Christ has risen from the grave and
we celebrate for My Redeemer lives!

Lord, we’ll Put out Trust in You:
Then Job spoke: I have heard
all this before. What miserable
comforters you are! Won’t u ever
stop your flow of foolish words?
I could say the same things if
you were in my place. I could
spout off criticisms against you
…but that not what I would do.
I would speak in a way that
helps you. I would try to take
away your grief (Job 16:1-5).
Then Job spoke again: How long
will you torture me? You are
trying to use my humiliation as
evidence of my sin (Job 19:1-5).
For I know that my Redeemer Lives,
& He shall stand at last on the earth;
My flesh may be destroyed, yet from
this body I Will See God (v25-26)

Dear Lord, help us from the painful
experience of Job how to be a true
friend and Encouraging Comforter.
Lord, whilst we sometime cannot
understand troubles that befall us
we know You’ve awesome power,
& You’re In Control of the situation.
Help us Lord never doubt You but
have unwavering faith like Job
that Our Redeemer Lives. Amen.

Lord, help me learn from the
painful experience of Job not
to sermonise, accuse, criticise,
or even talk for sake of talking to
someone who is in pain and grief.
Help me instead to put myself
in the other person’s place,
offer help and encouragement,
thereby Be A Comforter. Amen.

Lord, whilst sometimes just
like Job, we could not explain
troubles that beset us, we will
purpose not to forget You God.
Whatever happens, like Job we’ll
purpose to Trust You’re In Control,
Trust You will never forsake us &
Trust You God in Your kairos time
will come as a redeemer. Amen.

Reflection on Job (Apr 21)

Adoring God thru Thanks & Praise

The purpose of the book of Job is
to demonstrate God’s sovereignty
and the meaning of true faith.
It also addresses the question:
“Why do the righteous suffer?”
This week we see that even in
challenging times we can still
thank and praise God for He is
good, merciful, trustworthy, all-
knowing and in control of things.

On Monday, we learn from Job 1/2
that God Watches In Tough Times.
On Tuesday, we learn from Job 4-7
that God Is Merciful and With Us.
On Wed, we learn from Job 16/19
that God In Control of the Situation.
On Thursday, we learn from Job 23
that God’s Tests Meant for Good.
On Friday, we learn from Job 38
that God Knows What’s Best for us.
On Sat, we learn from Job 40/42
that All-Knowing God Is Trustworthy.

Let us humble ourselves and pray
and seek His face. Help us O God
be Christ’s disciples who Adore You:
For You are Trustworthy and that
You Watch over us in tough times;
For You are worthy of our Praise
as You are Merciful, With Us as
well as In Control of the Situation;
For You are worthy of our Thanks
as You Know What’s Best & that
Your Tests are Meant for Good.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Adoring God In Job 40/42 (Apr 20)

All-Knowing God Is Trustworthy

Instead of answering Job’s
questions directly, God asks Job
a series of questions that no human
can possibly answer adequately.
In response, Job humbles himself
and recognises God’s ways are best.
God rebukes the three friends for
adding to Job’s suffering by their
false assumptions and criticisms.
Job’s material possessions and
family are restored and he receives
even greater blessings than before.

Lord, we put our Trust in You:
The Lord said to Job: Do you still
want to argue with the Almighty?…
Then Job replied… I am nothing…
I have said too much already.
I have nothing more to say.
Then the Lord spoke to Job out
of the storm: Would you discredit
My justice? Would you condemn
Me to justify yourself? Do you
have an arm like God’s (Job 40:1-9)
Then Job replied to the Lord:
I know that You can do anything
and no one can stop You. You ask:
Who is this that questions My
wisdom with such ignorance?
It is I. And I was talking about
things I did not understand.
I take back everything I said
and I sit in dust and ashes to
show my repentance (Job 42:1-6).
When Job prayed for his friends,
the Lord restored his fortunes.
In fact, the Lord gave him twice
as much as before (v10-13).

Lord, Your answer to Job shows You
are in control & Only U Understand
why the good are allowed to suffer.
We realize Lord that regardless
of what we think is fair, You will
still do what You Know is best.
We confess we cannot question
Your fairness or ability to perform.
And we submit and give You Lord
the chance to reveal Your greater
purpose in Your way & time. Amen.

Lord, when Job was down and
nothing else was left, he still had
God and that was enough for him.
Help us Lord to accept what
You allow to happen in our lives.
Help us to love You regardless
of whether You allow blessing
or suffering to come to our lives.
Help us maintain a humble posture,
not to question Your wisdom; and
Put Our Trust wholly in You. Amen.

Lord, in our fallen world, suffering
may come to good and bad alike.
Knowing You are in control, we
will not question Your sovereignty.
Whilst we don’t know the reasons
for the trial, we Trust You God
with our unanswered questions
and turn to You for strength.
For those who Persist Trusting
In You, knowing You are God,
will be rewarded and be complete
In You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Adoring God In Job 38 (Apr 19)

God Knows What’s Best
Instead of answering Job’s
questions directly, God asks
Job a series of questions that
no human can possibly answer.
Job humbles himself and responds
by recognising God’s ways are best.
God rebukes the three friends for
adding to Job’s suffering by their
false assumptions and criticisms.
Job’s material possessions and
family are restored & he receives
even greater blessings than before.

Lord, we’ll Not Question Yr Wisdom:
Then the Lord answered Job:
Who is this that questions my
wisdom with such ignorant words?
I have some questions for you and
you must answer them (Job 38:1-3)
Where were you when I laid
the foundations of the earth?…
Do you know how its dimensions
were determined?.. Who defined
the boundaries of the sea (v4-8).
Have you… commanded the morning
to appear & cause the dawn to rise?
Where does the light come from and
where does the darkness go(v12,19)
Who sends the rain that…
makes the tender grass spring up?
Where does the dew come from?…
Can you ensure proper sequence
of the seasons?… Do you know
the laws of the universe and
how God rules the earth? (v27-33).

Lord, just as we don’t understand
Your creation, it’s challenging
to understand God’s purposes.
And bitterness over suffering can
limit understanding of Your ways.
Help us to trust You regardless
of whether You allow blessing
or suffering to come to our lives.
For it is not our job to question
You the sovereign and good God,
but to simply worship You. Amen.

Lord, grateful that You are a
personal God and I can pour out
my hurts and frustrations to You.
Help me learn to question Yr works
without criticising Your wisdom.
For we know You’re always good,
no matter how things may appear.
Your goodness may be obscured
due to our limited perspectives.
So help me Lord to see and hear
the truth behind the scenes. Amen.

Lord, Hide me now Under Yr wings
Cover me Within Your mighty hand.
When oceans rise & thunders roar
I will soar with You above the storm.
Father You are king over the flood
I will be still and know you are God.
Find rest my soul In Christ alone
Know His power In quietness & trust.
When oceans rise & thunders roar
I will soar with You above the storm.
Father You are king over the flood
I’ll be still & know You are God.Amen

Adoring God In Job 23 (Apr 18)

God’s Test Meant for Good .
As Job agonises over his situation,
his three friends explain that
he must be suffering because
of some terrible sin he committed.
They try to persuade Job to repent
of his sin. When Job argues that he
hasn’t sinned enough to deserve
such suffering his friends respond
with even harsher accusations.

Lord, we’ll Keep to Your Way:
Then Job answered and said:
Even today my complaint is bitter…
Oh that I knew where I might
find Him… I would present my
case before Him (Job 23:1-4).
But He knows the way that I take;
when He has tested me, I shall
Come Forth As Gold… I have
Kept His Way… I have treasured
the words of His mouth (v10-12).
Whatever He wants to do, he does.
He’ll Do for me all he has planned.
He Controls my destiny (v13-14).

Lord, You love to speak to Your
people; but sometimes, like in Job,
You maintain long silences and
that can be rather uncomfortable.
For You are tuning our ears to Your
voice & teaching us to wait on You.
Lord, when I cannot really sense
Your presence or hear Your voice,
keep me drawing me towards You.
Give me the patience & persistence
to keep seeking Your face. Amen.

Lord, I praise You for faithfulness
& for knowing the way that I take.
Thank You that when I have been
tested, I will Come Forth As Gold.
Lord, it’s painful not to hear Your
voice & wonder where You’ve gone;
but my eyes are still fixed on You.
Let me not waste the pain Lord;
instead use it to draw me deeper.
And show me treasures of Your
ways and Your kingdom. Amen.

Lord, You control my destiny
and I fully trust in Your goodness.
So fill my vision with hope, which
is the expression of Your goodness.
You have given me promises,
and offered hope, even when
I can’t see all the way ahead.
Help me Lord to walk in the good
purposes You have planned for me.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Trusting God In Job 16/19 (April 17)

God In Control of the Situation

Backgrounder to Job 15-19:
Job agonises over his situation.
His three friends explain that
he must be suffering because of
some terrible sin he committed.
They try to persuade Job to repent
of his sin. When Job argues that he
hasn’t sinned enough to deserve
such suffering his friends respond
with even harsher accusations.

Lord, we’ll Put out Trust in You:
Then Job spoke: I have heard
all this before. What miserable
comforters you are! Won’t u ever
stop your flow of foolish words?
I could say the same things if
you were in my place. I could
spout off criticisms against you
…but that not what I would do.
I would speak in a way that
helps you. I would try to take
away your grief (Job 16:1-5).
Then Job spoke again: How long
will you torture me? You are
trying to use my humiliation as
evidence of my sin (Job 19:1-5).
For I know that my Redeemer Lives,
& He shall stand at last on the earth;
My flesh may be destroyed, yet from
this body I Will See God (v25-26)

Dear Lord, help us from the painful
experience of Job how to be a true
friend and Encouraging Comforter.
Lord, whilst we sometime cannot
understand troubles that befall us
we know You’ve awesome power,
& You’re In Control of the situation.
Help us Lord never doubt You but
have unwavering faith like Job
that Our Redeemer Lives. Amen.

Lord, help me learn from the
painful experience of Job not
to sermonise, accuse, criticise,
or even talk for sake of talking to
someone who is in pain and grief.
Help me instead to put myself
in the other person’s place,
offer help and encouragement,
thereby Be A Comforter. Amen.

Lord, whilst sometimes just
like Job, we could not explain
troubles that beset us, we will
purpose not to forget You God.
Whatever happens, like Job we’ll
purpose to Trust You’re In Control,
Trust You will never forsake us &
Trust You God in Your kairos time
will come as a redeemer. Amen.

Adoring God In Job 4-7 (Apr 16)

God Is Merciful & With Us!

Job agonises over his situation.
His three friends explain that
he must be suffering because
of some terrible sin he committed.
They try to persuade Job to repent
of his sin. When Job argues that
he hasn’t sinned enough to deserve
such suffering his friends respond
with even harsher accusations.

Lord, we know You are With Us:
Eliphaz replied: Stop and think!
Does the innocent person perish?
When has upright been destroyed?
My experience shows that those
who plant trouble and cultivate evil
will harvest the same. They perish
by a breadth from God. They vanish
in a blast of his anger (Job 4:1-9).
Affliction does not come from dust…
Yet man is born to trouble…
But for me, I would seek God.
And to God I would commit
my cause – who does great things,
and… marvelous things (Job 5:6-9).
Job: What is man that You make
so much of him, that You give
him so much attention. Have I
sinned? What have I done to You,
O watcher of all humanity? Why
have You made me Your target?
Why not just pardon my sin and
take away my guilt? (Job 7:17-20)

Dear Lord, help us learn from the
painful experience of Job how to
be a true friend & not be careless in
words basing on wrong assumption
that suffering is a result of sin.
Help us to Be Careful With Advice
& lead us to listen empathetically.
Help us when under trial, to learn
from Job: Claiming You’re With Us
and believing in Your mercy. Amen.

Lord, help us to be careful of
what we say lest our words only
serve to increase pain of others.
Help us avoid come to conclusion
too readily or take a truth and
simply apply to someone’s life.
Help us realise that You can use
suffering to transform character.
Help us look at suffering as test
of our faithfulness to You. Amen.

Lord, it is hard to comprehend
the depth of Your love and why
You care about details of my life.
Where bad things have occurred
and I have blamed You Lord,
I humbly ask for forgiveness.
Thank You O God for working
things out for my good. And
Grateful that even in difficult
times You Lord are with me;
and draw me close to You. Amen.

Adoring God In Job 1/2 (Apr 15)

God Watches In Tough Times
Job, a godly and wealthy resident
of Uz, watches helplessly as his
health, blessings and prosperity
collapse around him. Unknown to
him, Job’s problems do not begin
on earth, but in heaven. With God’s
permission and within divinely
imposed limitations, Satan launches
devastating attack in an attempt
to force Job renounce God. In the
midst of each trial, Job’s faith in
God shines brightly, tho personal
turmoil tears at Job’s heart as
he asks repeatedly: Why God?

Lord, we purpose to Trust You:
The Lord asked Satan: Have you
noticed my servant Job? A man
of complete integrity & fears God.
Satan replied: Yes Job fears God
but not without reason!Take away
everything he has & he will curse
you! The Lord said: You may test
him. Do whatevewith leverything
he possesses, but don’t harm
him physically (Job 1:8-12).
Job shaved his head, and said:
Naked I come from my mother’s
womb, and naked I will depart.
The Lord gave and the Lord has
taken away; may the name of
the Lord be praised (v20-21).
And the Lord said to Satan:Do
with him as you please but spare
his life. So Satan struck Job with
terrible boils from head to foot.
His wife said to him: Are you still
trying to maintain your integrity?
Curse God and die. But he said:
Shall we indeed accept good
from God and shall we not
accept adversity? In all this Job
did not sin with his lips (Job 2:6-10).

Lord, we Trust Your Sovereignty
even in the midst of suffering.
Although we don’t know why
bad things have to happen but
You’re in control of the situation
and You’re able to carry us through.
Lord, when under time of testing,
lead us to look up to You, and
deliver us from fears. Amen.

Loving Lord, I want to praise You
no matter what happens in my life,
in good times and in bad times.
Even in midst of disappointment,
loss, or failure, I will purpose to
continue to praise and thank You.
As I wait upon You Lord, help me
to hold on to trust You will work
powerfully in my situation and
be glorified in the process. Amen.

Lord, just as the teacher cannot
speak during a test, You God
often remain silent in testing times.
I don’t know why bad things may
have to happen but You know best
and I purpose not sin with my lips.
As I look to You Lord, restore me;
for in Your strength will I breakthru.
And by faith I will walk on Lord;
then I’ll be complete in lYou. Amen.

Thought for the Week: Mark 11

God Answers Prayer of Faith In Him

The final week of Jesus’ earthly life
occupies more space in the gospels
than any other stage of His ministry.
Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem coincides
with the preparation for Passover.
Though events move quickly, Jesus
is not hurried. There is time to clean
out the temple, watch the widow
contributes her two mites and give
final instructions to the disciples.

Lord, grant us Faith & Grace:
As they passed by, they saw the
fig tree dried up from the roots…
Jesus said: Have Faith In God.
For assuredly I say to you, whoever
says to this mountain: Be removed
and does not doubt in his heart,
but Believes that those things
he says will be done, he will have
whatever he says (Mark 11:21-23).
Therefore I say to you, whatever
things you ask when you pray,
Believe that you receive them
and you will have them (Mk 11:24).
And whenever you stand praying,
if you’ve anything against anyone,
Forgive him, that your Father
in heaven may also forgive you
your trespasses (Mark 11:25-26).

Lord, I have faith in You, the
Almighty, all loving faithful God.
And I believe that You reward
those who diligently seek You.
Lord, I place this issue before
You In Faith and Without Doubt
and seeking Your face and will.
Your Word says if I ask anything
according to Your will, You hear me
and I can have what I ask of You.
Into Your hand I surrender. Amen.

Lord, I come to You with my need
and desire, asking You In Faith and
claiming the promise in Mark 11:24.
Trust that the need is within Your
will; and implore You to reward
those who diligently seek You.
I know that in Your sovereignty,
You do things Your way & Your time.
But Father God, I plead for Your
mercy for it’s been such a long
time that I have been asking You.
So grant me Your favor and favour
of men as soon as possible. Amen.

Lord, I don’t want Your Presence to
be quenched due to unforgiveness.
I don’t want to hinder Yr forgiveness
because I’ve not forgiven someone.
Instead I want to receive Yr blessing
because I have forgiven someone.
Reveal any place in my heart where
I have not yet forgiven someone.
And create in me a forgiving spirit
that sees others as You do. Amen.

Reflection on the Gospel of Mark

Adoring God thru Thanks & Praise

Mark’s gospel captures the two
-fold purpose of Christ’s coming
to earth: to minister and to give
His life as a ransom for many. (10:45). Mark describes Jesus
as a Perfect Servant, emphasizing more the actions of Jesus and gives briefer account of His teachings.

On Monday, we learn from Mark 1
that God Empowers & Directs us.
On Tuesday, we learn from Mark 4
that God’s Word Is Trustworthy.
On Wed, we learn from Mark 6
that God Is Compassionate.
On Thu, we learn from Mark 8
that Christ Is the Bread of Life.
On Friday, we learn from Mark 11
that God Answers Prayer of Faith.
On Sat, we learn from Mk 14-16 that
Christ Obeys Father’s Will For us.

Let us humble ourselves and pray
and seek His face. Help us O God
be Christ’s disciples who Adore You:
For You are our Bread of Life as
well as Empowers and Directs us;
For You are worthy of our Praise
as You are Trustworthy as well
as Caring and Compassionate;
For You are worthy of our Thanks
as You Answer Prayers of Faith and
Obey the Father’s Will for us. Amen.