timothysheridan's Space http://timothysheridan.posterous.com Most recent posts at timothysheridan's Space posterous.com Wed, 05 Dec 2012 10:07:47 -0800 The Temptation to Despair http://timothysheridan.posterous.com/the-temptation-to-despair http://timothysheridan.posterous.com/the-temptation-to-despair

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Today's Bible reading: Job 6-9

You can find the text here: http://www.biblestudytools.com/esv/job/passage.aspx?q=job+6;job+7;job+8;job+9

One of the greatest testaments to the inspiration of the Bible is how well the authors of Scripture understand the human experience. The Book of Job tackles the question of the theodicy, which has troubled both Christians and non-Christians in all ages and of all positions in life: Why is it that God allows evil to happen to the righteous?

In Job, we find the archetypal righteous man. As the result of a cosmic wager between God and Satan, Job is struck with innumerable hardships, all part of God's vindication of Job's faith. While Job never denounces God, whom he does acknowledge as his Redeemer (Job 19:25), he nevertheless finds himself at the point of utter despair. In chapter 6, he cries out: "Remember that my life is a breath; my eye will never again see good" (Job 6:7).

Too many times, our circumstances blind us to the goodness of God, manifested in our lives through the countless blessings that He gives to us. Chief among these is the blessing of salvation, accomplished and freely given by the work of His Son, Jesus Christ. Although Job succumbs to the human weakness to bemoan his state, eventually he too comes to the realization that, despite the trials endured in life, after life, he will indeed see God. "In my flesh will I see God," Job says (Job 19:25), an audacious claim which neverthless finds its fulfillment in Jesus, God made flesh, who Himself lives eternally, who shares His sufferings with us, as well as His life and glory. In this hope we confront our pain and sin, joyfully discovering with Job that our Redeemer, too, lives.

  • Name of the football coach for Explore the Bible EXTRA article for 12/9/12: Jeff Fisher.
  • IMB Theme for 2012: Be His Heart/His Hands/His Voice; Scripture verse: Matthew 16:24-25
  • The Annual Meeting for the SBC will be held at George R. Brown Convention Center
    1001 Avenida de las Americas Houston, TX 77010

 

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