Pastor Buddy’s Blog

Naked I came from my mother’s womb…

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Journal,

Here it is Sunday morning. Looking forward to viewing the services. Nathan is beginning a new series on relationships.

Nathan, Lori and the girls came by last evening for a visit. I have such fun with the three girls. When I say, ‘Here comes Mick, Mike, and Mustard’, they start claiming names. The last one has to take the name Mustard. Of course no one wants to be Mustard. This little game? is a? carry-over from? my? childhood.

These girls are charmers. They stole my heart from the very beginning. Don’t grandkids just have a way of doing that!

My devotion this morning is from Job 1:20-22:

“Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell on the ground and worshipped. He said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall return there. TheLord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.’ Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God.” (nasb.)

The story of Job is so interesting. He likely? lived during the time of the patriarchs. (Abraham, etc.) Many consider Job to be the oldest book in the Bible. It is non-Israelite. Its language is difficult for translators since it uses words that are very ancient.

Anyway, this book has a number of purposes. It seems to me that it was written for the people of the world, to let mankind know that there were righteous people in the earth who were not necessarily? Hebrews.

Job was a holy man of God. He would be representative of those of whom David said, “As for the saints who are in the earth, they are the majestic ones in whom is all my delight.” (Psalm 16:3 nasb.)

What is it that makes a saint a saint? (Keep in mind that the word saint simply means a holy one, or someone who truly belongs to the Lord; a true worshipper.)

Job shows us the traits of a true worshipper. His affections were not centered upon? temporal things. Eternity was in Job’s? heart.

Though Job suffered great losses at the very beginning of his story, we still hear this: “He fell to the ground and worshipped, saying, ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall return … Blessed be the name of the Lord.’”

The book of Job has a great many truths to reveal. It speaks of the perseverance of the saints. It speaks of Satan’s place before God, yet we know that this place was? removed in the cross. It speaks of a disguised? mercy and justice of God that can be found in? afflictions of? believers. (Of course much more. But I’m not doing a commentary on Job, just devotionals.)

The only missing element in Job’s life was his? self-justification. He eventually repents of this.

What we need in our lives is not more? religion. We need a heart that sees the Lord in all things. The greatest reward of any believer is eternal.?

One more interesting thing in my devotion is something that Satan said to God, concerning Job. He said, “Put forth Your hand now and touch all that he has; he will surely curse You to Your face.” (Job 1:11 nasb.)

It never happened. But we do have a? paradox with the man called Peter. Peter did curse and deny the Lord, not once, but three times. What is the lesson with this man? The lesson is the great mercy of the cross.

Wow — Didn’t mean to be that lengthy with my devotion.

10:00 a.m. Betty took the grandkids to church. Tim, Shana and I watched the services from home. As always the worship was wondrous, and Nathan did another great job on dealing with relationships. This time it was primarily on our relationship with God Himself.

Relaxing at home all afternoon.

3:15 p.m. - Nathan came by for a visit. Getting ready for the afternoon Super Bowl gathering at 4:00 p.m. Looks? like Christian Challenge will have an? overflowing crowd. Great.

Something very special is suppose to happen at the gathering. Top secret so I’ll have to tell you after-the-fact.?

Not much else going on. Think I’ll continue in my relax mode.

Talk with you later.

Blessings,

Buddy

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