January 24 -- Today's Reading: Job 19

 

January 23 -- Today's Reading: Job 18

 

January 22 -- Today's Reading: Job 16 & 17

 

January 21 -- Today's Reading: Job 15 "The Punishment of the Godless"

 January 21 -- Today's Reading:  Job 15

"The Punishment of the Godless"

This verse is spoken by Eliphaz, one of Job's friends, who is accusing Job of being a wicked person and deserving of his suffering. He is saying that those who live an ungodly and corrupt life will be punished and their families and possessions will be destroyed.

It's important to notice that Job's friends were wrong in their accusations of Job and their understanding of God, Job's suffering was not a result of his wickedness but a test of his faith.

In the New Testament, Jesus speaks about the punishment of the unrighteous in several verses. For example:

• In Matthew 25:46, Jesus says "And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal."

• In Luke 13:3 Jesus says "I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish."

• In Matthew 7:13-14 Jesus says "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."

These verses show that Jesus teaches that those who live unrighteous lives and do not repent will face punishment in the afterlife.

January 20 -- Today's Reading: Job 14 "The Finality of Death"

 January 20 -- Today's Reading:  Job 14

"The Finality of Death"

Today's verse is spoken by the character Job in the book, who is expressing his belief that death is final and questioning the chance for resurrection or a return to life. He states that he will wait for the appointed time of his death, and that is the end of his existence. Job is also expressing his hope that after he dies, he will be restored to life and be able to see God.

There are several verses in the New Testament that discuss the finality of death, but Jesus also speaks about the concept of resurrection and eternal life.

In John 11:25-26, Jesus says: "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die."

In Luke 20:38 Jesus says "For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him."

In Matthew 25:46 Jesus also says "And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal."

These verses show that Jesus teaches that death is not the end, and that those who believe in him will have eternal life.

January 19 -- "Your Bias is Showing"

Today's Reading:  Job 13

"Your Bias is Showing"

The commonly accepted “norm” of Job's culture was that “bad things only happen to bad people.” Thus, if something “bad” happened to you, you must be a bad person. Job’s friends had made the mistake of accepting this cultural belief without judging rightly whether that belief is founded upon truth. As a result, their judgment was tainted, or biased, and in error. Without really seeking the truth behind Job’s troubles, they just said what anyone in their culture would have said… Job has committed sins.  Job tells them that showing this kind of bias without being objective and basing their advice on God’s truth, they are tragically mistaken. And God will rebuke them for their partiality.

It is so easy to just accept the “norms” of our culture without ever questioning them. When we do this, we set ourselves up for errors in judgment and decision. Furthermore, God sees our bias and He will rebuke or reprove us for it. Jesus taught about fairness and impartiality in several passages in the Bible. For example, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:43-44 NIV). This passage teaches that Christians – despite the cultural “norm” of that day - should never show favoritism, but should love and treat all people, including their enemies, with fairness and impartiality.

In Matthew 22:39, Jesus says "Love your neighbor as yourself." This commandment is often referred to as the "Golden Rule" and it is a fundamental principle of Jesus' teachings. This commandment teaches that we should treat others as we would want to be treated, regardless of their race, ethnicity, or any other characteristic that might be used as the basis for prejudice.

This serves as a reminder for all of us to be aware of any cultural biases we may have, and to always live with fairness and impartiality in our interactions with others. It can also serve as a warning to be aware of our these biases because they can taint our opinions and decisions and because they will be judged by a Higher Authority. Is your bias showing? Take a few minutes for meditation, self-reflection and self-evaluation, to identify and correct any biases or partiality we may have. Confess your bias to God and receive His forgiveness.

January 18 -- Today's Reading: Job 11 & 12