Scripture
Satan answered the Lord, “Does Job fear God for nothing? Haven’t you placed a hedge around him, his household, and everything he owns? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But stretch out your hand and strike everything he owns, and he will surely curse you to your face.”
~ Job 1:9-11 (CSB)
Quote
I can’t make you love Me, but you can’t keep Me from loving you.
~Jesus
Satan’s basic accusation against Job was– “He is in it for the blessings. He doesn’t love You {God}, he loves Your gifts, benefits, and protection You give him.” Satan told God, “Stretch out your hand and strike everything he owns, and he will surely curse you to your face.” — Job 1:11 (CSB) I am currently reading through Job in the CSB and all three of Job’s friends are convinced of Job’s guilt based on the loss of his wealth. The Jews believed, even in Jesus day, that prosperity was a sign of God’s favor. In Mark 10 just after the Rich Young Ruler had rejected Jesus…Jesus said to His disciples…“How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! ” The disciples were astonished at his words…It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” They were even more astonished, saying to one another, “Then who can be saved? ” — Mark 10:23-26 (CSB) Why were His disciples astonished? Because they had been taught that wealth is a sure sign of God’s favor. Job was ahead of his times but unfortunately, neither his friends or the Jews as a whole learned from his wisdom. The Jews were wrong; the wicked do prosper and wealth has never been a sign of God’s favor. David understood this truth and mentioned in several times. Psalms 37 comes to mind: David said in verse 16, “The little that the righteous has is better than the abundance of many wicked people.”
Why is it that Jobs friends {so-called} can’t be right? Why can’t it be the rule that God always prospers His children? Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar firmly believed that righteousness resulted in riches. Why can’t this be the rule of thumb for God’s Children? The greatest virtue may very well be humility but the highest, most noble motive is love. Everything boils down to two things which can be boiled down to one. Love God with all your heart and love your neighbor as much as you love yourself. Of course, it all begins with loving Jesus with all your heart. When on earth, Jesus went about doing good. He healed the sick, He cast out demons, He gave sight to the blind and He made the lame to walk. In Mark 10, He gave Bartimaeus his sight and Bart immediately followed Jesus who was on His way to a cross. How long did Bart follow? Did he go all the way? We don’t know. We do know that many followed Jesus as long as He was doing miracles and acts of kindness for others but when He made Himself weak, which He had to do in order to suffer for our sins, many of His so-called followers deserted Him. This is why God does not automatically prosper believers. If there was guaranteed wealth for all followers, millions would follow for the wrong reason. Jesus, like myself and you, desires to be loved for WHO HE IS, not for what He can do. He wants us to love Him personally with or without the benefits.
Lucy is my favorite character in the Chronicles of Narnia. Lucy is a child with a child like faith but what I love most about Lucy is her affection for Aslan. She is always thrilled to see Him and immediately, she pours out her affection on Him. She hugs Him, kisses Him and wants to be as close to Him as possible. Lucy’s heart was broken when they put Aslan to death on the Stone Table. She loved Aslan even when He made Himself weak. Oh I am sure she admired His awesome power but she loved Him. Lucy had the most faith and the least anxiety because she had boiled everything down to one thing–Loving Aslan. Think about it: isn’t it great that the KING of Creation, who has the power to devour us in a heart beat, desires our affection instead. Wow! The very thought gives me goose bumps on my goose bumps.
- Visited Nursing Homes yesterday: Roger was rolling himself down the hall in his wheel chair. He looked better to me. I asked him where he was going and he said to lunch. The nurse said, “You’ve already had lunch.” Roger said, “I guess I have.” Mrs. Edith Orr was waiting to play bingo. She didn’t know who I was. Betty Blackwood is back at Summerford but not doing well. They told me she wasn’t there but I bumped into Danielle and she told me she was and she was. Willard mom Jackie Stiles was doing a lot better. Mrs. Annie Murphy was in the bed; not feeling good but pleasant as always. Nell Brown was a bit disoriented but she knew who I was. I spoke to Mrs. Screws but she wasn’t in the mood for conversation.
- Jeremy’s sister Amanda is back home. Continue to pray. A. Ray Lee’s grandson was killed in an accident. His service is today.
- June called Ethridge, Tennessee yesterday and they are making molasses Saturday so LORD willing we will leave bright and early Saturday morning.