290 Saturday, October 17, 2009

290 Job 12 – 14; Matthew 15.21 – 15.39

Before we get into chapter twelve we need to review chapter 11 of Job. In chapter 11 you will remember that Zophar has made three accusations against Job. Of the three friends it is highly likely that Zophar was the youngest since he spoke last. Here are the three accusations: Job is guilty of sin (Job 11:1-4); Job is ignorant of God (vv. 5-12); and Job is stubborn in his refusal to repent (vv. 13-20). It is in 12 -14 that Job answers all three of these accusations: He declares God’s greatness (Job 12) and he maintains his own innocence (Job 13), and because he has no hope, he sees no reason as to why he should he repent? (Job 14) This angry approach to helping someone who is suffering is not recommended by anyone in the counseling profession. When we suffer or when someone else suffers the question of sin has to arise because there are times God will discipline His children. We must search our own hearts with the help of the Holy Spirit to see if we have gone astray. If nothing is revealed then we should pray and ask God to forgive us of any unknown sin that may be in our lives. Sometimes we suffer for the sake of our Lord. One man has affirmed this when he said, “It is not why I suffer that I wish to know, but only whether I suffer for Your sake.”Levi Yitzhak of Berditcher

A woman who has a sick daughter is pestering the disciples and Jesus. Finally Jesus engages her about her persistence and here is some of the conversation:

Matthew 15:25-28 (MSG)
25 Then the woman came back to Jesus, went to her knees, and begged. "Master, help me."
26 He said, "It's not right to take bread out of children's mouths and throw it to dogs."
27 She was quick: "You're right, Master, but beggar dogs do get scraps from the master's table."
28 Jesus gave in. "Oh, woman, your faith is something else. What you want is what you get!" Right then her daughter became well.
This woman was not going to be denied. Her daughter was sick and she wanted the Master to set things right. I am an on the side of we must keep bringing our requests before the Lord. Our merciful Savior understands if we go too far. What have you not prayed for in a while? Pray for it again today. Trust God and let go.