The Simple Life

Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said: "Should a wise man answer with windy knowledge, and fill his belly with the east wind? Should he argue in unprofitable talk, or in words with which he can do no good? But you are doing away with the fear of God and hindering meditation before God. For your iniquity teaches your mouth, and you choose the tongue of the crafty. Your own mouth condemns you, and not I; your own lips testify against you." Job 15: 1-6 Eliphaz and his buddies continued to get it wrong because they had messed up the concept of love. They believed that Job must have angered God, when, in reality, He had pleased Him very much. Therefore, Job was placed on the galactic stage for all to observe, and he became the target of a fierce battle. At this juncture, the only hope for anyone is found in knowing God and trusting His character. Nothing has changed through the years. My only hope, and your only hope, is knowing God and trusting His character. We have nothin...

“Though he slay me, I will hope in him; yet I will argue my ways to his face.” Job 13: 5 This seems to epitomize the struggle of the child of God who walks with Him. We see in part; He sees the whole. We understand that by looking through dirty glass, He sees things crystal clear. We have hope in His reality, yet we are sometimes uncertain of what reality is. God loves us and wants us to approach Him boldly, yet in the context of who He is and who we are. In the beginning--God. Not in the beginning--Dave. In the challenging circumstances of this day, God is the same as He was in the "good" circumstances of yesterday. Plead your case, respectfully, knowing with Whom you are pleading. In that, you will have real hope. https://www.podbean.com/relate365

“Behold, my eye has seen all this, my ear has heard and understood it. What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you. But I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to argue my case with God. As for you, you whitewash with lies; worthless physicians are you all. Oh that you would keep silent, and it would be your wisdom! Hear now my argument and listen to the pleadings of my lips. Will you speak falsely for God, and speak deceitfully for him?” Job 13: 1-7 Whenever we begin to mix our human definitions with God's definitions, we pervert the truth. Half-truths, like half-lies, are entirely wrong and will destroy those who cling to them. Half-truths, or "sort of" truths, seem to be the Evil One's chosen tool. He had Eve repeat what God said, and then add a "twist" and "turn" to it to actually change its meaning. We are most capable of combining truth and error, of creating "terror" with the truths that should bring us peace. It is ti...

“Can you find out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limit of the Almighty? It is higher than heaven —what can you do? Deeper than Sheol —what can you know? Its measure is longer than the earth and broader than the sea. If he passes through and imprisons and summons the court, who can turn him back. For he knows worthless men; when he sees iniquity, will he not consider it? But a stupid man will get understanding when a wild donkey's colt is born a man!” Job 11:7 -12 It is easy to mix truth and error. Indeed, Zophar stated many truths about God here, yet we know that he actually missed the main point. Zophar was Job's good friend, one who seemingly knew God, yet who could not grasp what was really going on. I may know about God but miss His plans, purposes, and provisions. Could there be anything more pitiful than knowing yet not knowing, understanding, yet not comprehending, or even trying to help when you are making the situation worse? https://www.podbean.com/relat...

“I loathe my life; I will give free utterance to my complaint; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul. I will say to God, "Do not condemn me; let me know why you contend against me. Does it seem good to you to oppress, to despise the work of your hands and favor the designs of the wicked? Have you eyes of flesh? Do you see as man sees? Are your days as the days of man, or your years as a man's years, that you seek out my iniquity and search for my sin, although you know that I am not guilty, and there is none to deliver out of your hand? Your hands fashioned and made me, and now you have destroyed me altogether. Remember that you have made me like clay; and will you return me to the dust? Did you not pour me out like milk and curdle me like cheese? You clothed me with skin and flesh, and knit me together with bones and sinews. You have granted me life and steadfast love, and your care has preserved my spirit. Yet these things you hid in your heart; I know that this was your...

Then Bildad the Shuhite answered and said: "How long will you say these things, and the words of your mouth be a great wind? Does God pervert justice? Or does the Almighty pervert the right? If your children have sinned against him, he has delivered them into the hand of their transgression. If you will seek God and plead with the Almighty for mercy, if you are pure and upright, surely then he will rouse himself for you and restore your rightful habitation. And though your beginning was small, your latter days will be very great.” Job 8:1-7 Some people talk in a way that makes you think they know what they are discussing. All Bildad did here was prove that He did not know God or His ways, yet he was willing to speak on His behalf to one who was hurting. If you have not spent time knowing and loving God, then when someone who is hurting comes to you for help, you should send them to someone else. Bildad's help is no help and only glorifies himself while ignoring the One who giv...