Bible Pathway - June 17
Read Job 9 – 12
He discovereth deep things out of darkness, and bringeth out to light the shadow of death (Job 12:22).
With all that Job had been through, he was coming to a deeper understanding of God. Sometimes, it will take a trial of our faith for this to happen. The majority of the time, difficult situations will either draw us closer to God or wrongly we will push Him away. We should always be pulling closer to the Lord whether in good times or bad times. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, My soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul (Heb. 10:38-39).
Job proclaims a great truth about the power of God and how He relates to the human race. God formed man with His own hands. It is the breath of God that gave life to us.
We are formed in the very likeness of God. And God said, Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth (Gen. 1:26). What does this mean? Some say it's simply that God has two arms, two legs and so on. Others would state that we are tripartite in nature just as God is. There is God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Man is similar in that he is made up of body, soul and spirit (see 1 Thess. 5:23).
God knows His creation in a very intimate way. He and He alone can look into the innermost thoughts and feelings of mankind. There is nothing hidden nor anything kept secret from the Almighty God of heaven. And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God (Rom. 8:27).
We should always have an open relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. Why should we try to conceal our thoughts and feelings from Him? He looks into us and sees them anyway. Jesus would desire to have them shared with Him so He can help us attain the healing and help we need to overcome whatever we face.
If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him? (Luke 11:13).
Thought for Today:
Expressing love to an enemy and not hate often changes that one's heart.
Word Studies:
9:33 daysman, mediator; 9:34 rod, chastisement; 10:11 fenced, knit me together; 11:6 exacteth, demands; 11:14 tabernacles, dwellings; 11:19 make suit unto thee, seek your favor; 12:19 spoiled, stripped and plundered.
Christ Revealed:
Through the daysman (mediator) that Job longs for (Job 9:33). Christ is the only Mediator between God and (sinful) men (1 Tim. 2:5).
Prayer Suggestion: Ask for the blessings of God upon your family and home (2 Sam. 7:29).
Optional Reading: Galatians 6
Memory Verse for the Week: Ecclesiastes 12:13
