GOD’s Answer to Job

FATHER, answer ____’s supplications like You did Job’s. Job knew You directed His life. He had no intention of terminating His relationship with You. His thoughts were like Peter’s when he was given the opportunity to leave Your relationship. He said, “Lord, to whom shall I go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68).

____, too, would never think of leaving You, but, like Job, You have given (him/her) this providence that (he/d/she’d) like, at least, an explanation. We fall naturally into questioning Your purposes. FATHER, if ____ grumbles and (his/her) prayers are introspective show (him/her) Your majesty.

For four chapters, in the book of Job, FATHER, You revealed Your matchless ability to run Your creation. Even after two chapters when Job put his hand over his mouth in humility, You continued making him see Your greatness and his littleness for two more chapters (Job 38-41). More and more You made him realize he was very wrong to question Your providences to him.

GOD, reveal Yourself to ____ in such a way that (he/she) repents in dust and ashes (Job 42:6)—comprehending, that (he/she) speaks to You without knowledge (Job 38:2).

If You speak to ____ like You did Job, (he/she) will not need any verification that You hear (him/her) and You will answer (him/her). (His/Her) faith will become spiritual sight. Instead of anxiously awaiting an answer to (his/her) supplications, (he/she) will be spellbound at Your presence. And in Your presence

(he/she) will “know” You answer (his/her) requests in a most perfect way.

Impress Yourself upon (him/her) now like clay under the seal. You laid the foundations of the earth— determined its measurements—contained the sea and prescribed its limits (Job 38:4,5,8,10). FATHER, thank You for this short review of Your greatness. Surely You know best what to do with ____’s difficult situation.

Reflections on CHRIST

FATHER, my eyes are on CHRIST for “…my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly]…” (Phil 3:10 AMP).

FATHER, do not let me lose sight of my determined purpose. I gladly review the Glorious CHRIST through Your word.

CHRIST, You are gentle and humble in heart (Matt 11:29) and yet You overcome the world (John 16:33). You reflect the glory of Your FATHER and bear the very stamp of His nature; You uphold the universe by Your word of power (Heb 1:3) and yet You live and make Your home in me (1 John 3:24).

FATHER, in the face of JESUS CHRIST, Your glory is seen (2 Cor 4:6), yet CHRIST bears my grief and carries my sorrows (Isa 53:4). In Him all Your fullness dwells (Col 1:19), yet CHRIST personally rescues me and draws me to Himself, investing me with all the privileges of a new life in Him (1 Thes 1:10).

When CHRIST walked this earth, FATHER, He found that in Your presence, was fullness of joy and at Your right hand were pleasures forevermore (Ps 16:11). I desire fellowship with JESUS so that I may experience His joy of You fulfilled in myself. I want to comprehend CHRIST’s delight complete in me. Oh, that His joy may be perfected in my soul—that I may have His gladness filling my heart (John 17:13)

CHRIST is Your power working, FATHER, thus I have a personal trust springing from faith and leading to faith (Rom 1:16,17). Thank You for CHRIST Who is the Author and Perfecter of faith (Heb 12:2). Thank You for CHRIST Who enables me to move along in this world as He, Himself, did—from faith to faith.

Be Dependent

“…the issue was whether Adam would let God determine what was good and bad, or would seek to decide that for himself, in disregard of what God had said” (ref#56, p13, “The Fall”).

“The demanding of my own will is the singular force that smothers out joy—nothing else” (ref#130, p177). “Am I a pauper toward God? Do I know I cannot prevail in prayer;…I cannot alter my disposition; I cannot lift myself nearer to God” (ref#118, p16,17)?

FATHER, help me keep my arms open and outstretched, ready for the mercy of CHRIST. This is the unending life (Jude 21). Move me to relish all circumstances that drive me to depend on CHRIST. LORD, You can’t keep me if I don’t keep dependent on You. I desire to seek You LORD, and Your strength, to yearn for and seek Your face and to be in Your presence continually (1 Chron 16:11). Determine for me what is good and bad.