Friday Morning Reflections – An Insect Lesson

Posted on January 30, 2015 by heatonkent

DailyDevotion_1Friday Morning Reflections – Wisdom Literature

Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, which, having no captain, overseer or ruler, provides her supplies in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest. (Proverbs 6:6-8)

An Insect Lesson

If you don’t like ants you will have to move to Antarctica where there are no indigenous ants. Why a place is named after ants when no ants live there is beyond me. These tiny creatures are everywhere. As a child it was fun to torment the eusocial insects by putting sticks in their way or drowning the bed with water. But the amazing thing was they were never deterred. No matter what you did (short of poison) they never stopped. You learn from war movies that if you take out the commander of the army often the army flees in fear. Have you ever tried to find the ant in charge of all those ants? He is not there (or she). You can have a line of one hundred ants marching from the bed to a tree and no matter what you do they will always get back on track and keep working. Work, work, work. And that is the way the Creator made them. Later a wise man would tell us to go out and watch the ants for a while and learn a valuable lesson or two.

Laziness never gets anything done but getting a lot of nothing done. Money does not grow on trees but apples do. However the apples have to be picked. The Lord does not approve of being lazy. The tiny creature called ‘ant’ is a divine example of how we should face life. I know today is Friday and for many this means the end of the work week is near but Lord willing another work day will come soon. As people of God we are the best employees and employers. We shine as lights in the work force. We are ANTS in the work force. We are hard workers. We do not have to be told to be a good worker because we work for Jesus Christ!

This weekend enjoy your day off. Then go back to work Monday as a Christian insect. Okay that may be a little off but you get the point. Ant it good to be God’s worker?

Someone has said … that the only Bible which millions of people read today is the daily example of Christians – your example and mine. (James E. Murray, Address, March 31, 1948)

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Thursday Morning Thankfulness – Christian’s Are The Israel Of God

Posted on January 29, 2015 by heatonkent

DailyDevotion_1Thursday Morning Thankfulness – Epistles of Paul

And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God. (Galatians 6:16)

Christian’s Are The Israel Of God

What do you think of when you hear stories about Israel, the people of God? They were called the “apple of His eye” and were His chosen people, called by His name. He fed them in the wilderness and they did not lack for drink. Their clothes did not wear out for 40 years (I hoped they at least washed them). A land flowing with milk and honey was given to them. Jericho was conquered without firing a shot. The promise of God would be given in bountiful measures if they were faithful and punishment sure if they were not. They were a great nation among nations. Abraham was their father as they enjoyed the honor of a fleshly heritage. Israel. God’s people.

As Paul explained to the churches of Galatia, circumcision with the trappings of the Law of Moses were gone. The people of God are now the spiritual heritage of Abraham. As he concludes his letter he reminds the early Christians that Jesus Christ is everything and they bear the mark of the Israel of God through spiritual circumcision. As Israel of old God sees us as the apple of His eye, His chosen people as we are called by His name. He cares for us and protects us every day. All our blessings come from Him. The protection of His Commander still encircles His people. Promises of joy are given to those who keep His commandments and warnings of punishment to those who do not. We are the Israel of God.

For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God. (Romans 2:28-29)

A man becomes a Christian, he is not born one. (Tertullian, Testimony of the Soul, c. 210)

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The Agony Of Defeat

Posted on January 28, 2015 by heatonkent

CHRT38The Agony Of Defeat

Peter could not have imagined how he was going to feel in a few hours. He had immersed himself in the words of the Lord as they celebrated Passover together. Walking with Jesus to the garden of Gethsemane he listened intently as his Lord talked of the relationship shared with the disciples in the work of the Holy Spirit. Through all of this Peter could not get out of his head what happened during the Passover meal. “’Lord, why can I not follow You now? I will lay down my life for Your sake.’ Jesus answered him, ‘Will you lay down your life for My sake? Most assuredly, I say to you, the rooster shall not crow till you have denied Me three times’” (John 13:37-38). Peter walks in the garden with the other disciples and Jesus. Suddenly a “detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons” (John 18:3). Peter prepares for battle and strikes at the servant of the high priest cutting off his ear. Jesus rebukes him and tells him to put up the sword.

Jesus is arrested and carried away to face trial. Peter is dazed and runs away a short distance. He follows the crowd taking Jesus as they lead him to Caiaphas the high priest. Loud accusations are made. Jesus keeps silent. People begin to spit in the face of Jesus and strike him. Peter sat outside in the courtyard warming himself by the fire. His mind is racing. What are they doing with Jesus? Why have they arrested him? Will they come for me also? Unexpectedly a servant girl points him out as a follower of Jesus. Peter denies this. His mind is burning. What will he do? He just told someone he did not know who His Lord was. How could he have done such a thing? What is going on?

Walking out to the gateway another girl sees him and declares to all that he was with Jesus of Nazareth. Denying with an oath he declares his innocence saying, “I do not know the Man.” Pain sears through his head as his mind races to understand what is going on. They are beating his Lord and he has no courage to defend him. What are they doing to Jesus? His hands tremble as his face shows the weariness of his own guilt.

About an hour later he is discovered again by those in the courtyard. “Surely you also are one of them, because your speech betrays you,” they declare. Then he began to curse and swear, saying, “I do not know the Man!” Immediately a rooster crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Before now looking into the eyes of Jesus never felt so painful and so shameful. Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, ‘Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.’ So he went out and wept bitterly. Stumbling through the dark the Galilean fishermen escapes away from impending doom that waits him. He is terrified the mob will arrest him also and he is devastated at how easy he turned against his Lord. The night will be a long night for Peter. And then it will get much worse.

Friday evening Jesus is dead. The man who let Peter walk on water is crucified. Roman soldiers nailed his teacher and friend to a cross as the Jewish leaders cried for His blood. This cannot be happening. Joseph and Nicodemus bury him in a tomb in the garden. Peter can’t stop thing about what he did. He denied Jesus three times. That final look when his eyes met the wearied eyes of his Lord bore through the soul of the apostle as he tries to make sense of what has happened. What are the other apostles doing? What happened to Judas? Tears flow unceasingly down his torn face.

All night Peter turns in agony. The morning light brings no relief. It was not a bad dream. Just the other day His Lord was washing his feet. They talked together. Jesus had only recently been received into Jerusalem like a king. Not long ago they stood at Lazarus tomb and watched him come forth alive. Peter had witnessed sick being healed, lame made to walk, blind given sight and lepers cleansed. He remembers the miracle of the feeding when more than five thousand people were fed with five loaves and two fish. Someone slams a door and Peter is jolted by the loud noise. His head aches with sorrow. His eyes are dry of tears. Hands that once held nets full of fish now hang in weakened despair. He has no appetite. His only thought is what he had done to his Master and what he had said. And now Jesus is dead.

Peter was a defeated man. Satan was sifting this Galilean and pressing upon him the guilt of remorse. That Sabbath was a horrible day. There would be no joy for Peter. He sat dejected and ashamed. His heart was heavy. Proudly he had pronounced to Jesus that he would fight for Him only to find the strength of a coward to deny him. The agony of his defeat was almost more than he could bear. But then Sunday came.

Mary Magdalene is the first to tell him. She burst in the door excitedly crying, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him” (John 20:2). Peter runs to the tomb along with John. Entering the place where Jesus had been lain Peter sees the linen cloths and handkerchief but Jesus is not there. They are puzzled as they return home. Later that day as Peter was with some of the other disciples in a closed room Jesus appears before them. Gladness fills the room. Tears of joy replace the tears of sorrow. All things are beginning to be clear. It will be some time before these gathered fully understand the meaning of it all but suffice it say at this time – Jesus is alive.

The apostle Peter is a complicated study. He was impetuous and often spoke when he should have not. His declaration of the identity of Jesus to be the Christ of God resonates through the centuries. He was the great defender of Jesus and on one occasion even rebuked Jesus for thinking He would die. His loyalty was unmatched. Devotion was deep in his heart to the Lord and he proved it in the garden with a sword. But the mighty character of a proud man came crashing down in defeat when he denied the Lord. Everything was going along so well and then out of fear or cowardice he found himself swearing he never knew Jesus. There could be no greater agony to endure. But the real story of Peter is how he overcame his despair.

After Jesus rose from the dead Peter spent about forty days with Him learning of the new message of salvation. Watching Jesus ascend into a cloud the apostle could take heart that all was going to be well. He would go on to preach the great sermon on Pentecost and do mission work as recorded by Luke in the first twelve chapters of Acts.

Two epistles bear his name that shows the full circle of faith and love Peter found in his life for Christ. The agony of defeat experienced in the courtyard of Caiaphas had turned to his final admonition recorded in 2 Peter 3:17-18 – “You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.” His defeat or falling from his own steadfastness had turned to victory because he knew how to grow in Christ. His life lessons were a powerful testimony of how he failed his Lord but found courage in the forgiveness and love of God.

Defeat can cripple us. We all fail and sometimes miserably. Disappointments come our way that seem to overwhelm us with unending grief. We do not understand and we struggle to find answers. Those days are dark and difficult but then Sunday comes. The lesson from Peter is how to overcome defeat. Judas chose an answer that took his life; Peter chooses an answer that gives him life. The resurrection of Jesus gives light to darkness in the face of defeat. We can all overcome the misfortunes of life when we look to Jesus. Believe in His will. Accept His guidance and we will find happiness in Him. Paul declared, “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:11-13).

Disappointment in life is not about turning lemons into lemonade but seeking the forgiveness of God through faith in His will in my life. I live for Christ! I will fail but I will endure to the end by growing more complete in the grace of Jesus Christ and the knowledge Jesus Christ. He arose on the first day to give me the answer to the agony of sin. Satan gives me defeat. Jesus gives me victory. “Peace to you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen” (1 Peter 5:14).

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Wednesday Morning Meditation – I Am Like A Green Olive Tree

Posted on January 28, 2015 by heatonkent

DailyDevotion_1Wednesday Morning Meditation – Psalms

To the Chief Musician. A contemplation of David when Doeg the Edomite went and told Saul, and said to him, “David has gone to the house of Ahimelech.”

Why do you boast in evil, O mighty man? The goodness of God endures continually. Your tongue devises destruction, like a sharp razor, working deceitfully. You love evil more than good, lying rather than speaking righteousness. You love all devouring words, you deceitful tongue. God shall likewise destroy you forever; He shall take you away, and pluck you out of your dwelling place, and uproot you from the land of the living. The righteous also shall see and fear, and shall laugh at him, saying, “Here is the man who did not make God his strength, but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness.” But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever. I will praise You forever, because You have done it; and in the presence of Your saints I will wait on Your name, for it is good. (Psalm 52)

I Am Like A Green Olive Tree

Adam Clarke writes: “The history to which this alludes is the following: David, having learned that Saul was determined to destroy him, went to take refuge with Achish, king of Gath: in his journey he passed by Nob, where the tabernacle then was, and took thence the sword of Goliath; and, being spent with hunger, took some of the shewbread. Doeg, an Edomite, one of the domestics of Saul, being there, went to Saul, and informed him of these transactions. Saul immediately ordered Ahimelech into his presence, upbraided him for being a partisan of David, and ordered Doeg to slay him and all the priests. Doeg did so, and there fell by his hand eighty-five persons. And Saul sent and destroyed Nob and all its inhabitants, old and young, with all their property; none escaping but Abiathar, the son of Ahimelech, who immediately joined himself to David.” See 1 Samuel 21-22 for complete story.

King Saul committed a massacre in his effort to kill David. It saddened this son of Jesse that his king would spend his life trying to kill him and yet David loved Saul respecting the place of the chosen one as king of God’s people. This contemplation of David shows the calm assurance he had in the midst of great upheaval. No matter the evil about him he would be like a tree of hope in the Lord that God’s will would be done in all things. With Saul seeking to kill him and so many people being murdered at the hand of a jealous king it would be difficult to keep a composure of faith. David trusted in God. He trusted in the strength of God.

Do you get overwhelmed at times? It is sad to hear the news of innocent people being killed for no apparent reason other than greed. Roving bands of thugs murder whole cities with no discretion of age or gender. Death takes our loved ones. Worries over money make our lives filled with gloom and despair. Health declines and we face treatments and surgeries with fear of the unknown. Plant an olive tree. Be an olive tree. Stand before the olive tree of David and see in the midst of his world he saw the blessing of God. Trust in the mercy of God today. Praise His name today. Face the hardship of today with the knowledge that God loves you. He cares for you. He sees your tears and He hears you cry. He loves you! He really does.

In times of affliction we commonly meet the sweetest experiences of the love of God. (Selected)

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Tuesday Morning Early Start – My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less

Posted on January 27, 2015 by heatonkent

DailyDevotion_1Tuesday Morning Early Start – Important Doctrines

Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. (Romans 8:23-25)

My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less

My good friend Charles Lindsey likes to say, “Life can be tedious.” He is right. Sometimes it is tough to keep your head above water with the challenges life brings each day. As people of flesh we are burdened with a mortal tent longing for the clothing from above (2 Corinthians 5:1-9). The joy of being a child of God is the knowledge that life here may be tedious but it is short and upon this short time eternity is expressed in our hope of the redemption of our body. Hope! This is what life is made of.

Hope changes the vision of life. It is the spice of happiness that allows us to endure what today brings. The eighth chapter of Romans is the chapter of hope for the Christian. Our hope is based on the knowledge we are not condemned and salvation is ours. We are children of God. We are adopted. We are saved. We are conquerors. We are overcomers. Folks, we are God’s special people and we shall see the King one day!

Today is the third day of the week. Sunday we praised God. Monday we spent the day with joy. Now we live with hope. Our hope is built upon the promise that God will send His only begotten Son a second time; apart from sin, for salvation. There is a crown with my name on it. I am going to Heaven when I die. My hope is built on nothing less! I cannot see it today but I will see it tomorrow. When this day concludes I will look back and see the grace of God flowing through the day because I had eyes of hope. As the dawn of Wednesday rises over the horizon my hope will still be on Jesus Christ the solid rock. Now go tackle today. It is a great day for the Lord to come.

A true Christian should have but one fear – lest he should not hope enough. (Walter Elliott, The Spiritual Life, 1914)

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Bible Talk 92.1FM – The Challenged Church

Posted on January 27, 2015 by heatonkent

Bible TalkJanuary 25, 2015

Host: Kent Heaton

Guest panelist: Rick Liggin

Bible Talk 92.1FM Hear it each Monday night 6:00pm-7:00pm EST

Visit our websitehttp://www.northvaldostacoc.com to LINK to the radio program or to listen to past programs.

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Monday Morning Coffee Break – Your Joy

Posted on January 26, 2015 by heatonkent

DailyDevotion_1Monday Morning Coffee Break – Life With Jesus

Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy. A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you. (John 16:20-22)

Your joy no one will take from you

I will affirm unequivocally at the beginning that I know nothing about what I am about to talk about. The nature of child-birth is held in deep respect by the knowledge that until one has given birth to a child there are no words to explain the process. Having said that (and hopefully saved my life) I do understand the nature of birth is a very painful experience. The Lord told Eve He would greatly multiply her sorrow and conception and the bringing forth of children would be a painful event. Jesus refers to this when He is trying to give assurance to His disciples before facing His cross and death. They had no idea what was about to happen. There were times in the ministry of Jesus He told them of His death and they were very sorrowful to hear the news (Matthew 17:23). But they were not prepared for Him dying on the cross.

When Jesus was arrested the disciples fled from him. Hung upon a cross in a most horrible manner the followers of Jesus were filled with sadness. Peter denied the Lord running away weeping bitterly. One can only imagine how many tears of deep sorrow were shed those few days before Jesus appeared after resurrection. It was then they would know joy beyond measure. Using the illustration of birth the disciples would experience deep sorrow but their sorrow would bring forth joy when they would see the Lord face to face. And that joy could never be taken away from them.

Today is Monday. It feels like a Monday, looks like a Monday, acts like a Monday – it is Monday. Life can be like Monday’s. Hold on to your hat – life can be like giving birth. It is painful but the reward is what it is all about. We will forget all our travails because God will wipe our tears away. The new birth of eternal life will be a wonder without words. And that joy will never be taken away from us. Never.

Heaven at present is out of sight, but in due time, as snow melts and discovers what it lay upon, so will this visible creation fade away before those greater splendors which are behind it. (John Henry Newman, Parochial and Plain Sermons, 4, 1843)

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Sunday Morning Starters – I Was Glad

Posted on January 25, 2015 by heatonkent

DailyDevotion_1Sunday Morning Starters – Worship

A Song of Ascents. Of David. I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go into the house of the LORD.” Our feet have been standing within your gates, O Jerusalem! Jerusalem is built as a city that is compact together, where the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, to the Testimony of Israel, to give thanks to the name of the LORD. For thrones are set there for judgment, the thrones of the house of David. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May they prosper who love you. Peace be within your walls, prosperity within your palaces.” For the sake of my brethren and companions, I will now say, “Peace be within you.” Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek your good. (Psalms 122:1-9)

I Was Glad

The spirit of David extols the virtue of worship and gladness to share in praise with the people of God. A psalm of ascent is defined as a psalm that would be sung as the flock of Israel would journey toward Jerusalem for worship. David felt a deep kinship with his Father when he could come to the house of the Lord. At the writing of this psalm David spoke of the Tabernacle as the house of the Lord. Later when Solomon would build the Temple the people would see the magnificence of the house of the Lord rising up from Zion. But David loved to worship the Lord with the people of the Lord.

Every Lord’s day is a special day for all of the saints of God. We are privileged to journey to a place where we can sing songs of praise and glory to the Father. It is a time of prayer when on bended knee the family of God can hold hearts together in thanksgiving. On this day we can be like the early Christians who hungered for the manna from above studying the word of God. As the saved enrolled in Heaven our life is bowed in sorrow as we commune together in the supper of Christ. Yet we lift up our eyes in joy knowing the Lord’s Supper also proclaims the return of our Lord. And we get to spend this day with our spiritual family. PRAISE GOD.

This day is a day of wonderful praise. This day is a day we should eagerly prepare for and say like David, “I WAS GLAD WHEN THEY SAID, ‘LET US GO INTO THE HOUSE OF THE LORD.’ What we do today is not drudgery. It is not a burden. We do not do this because we are forced to. This day is a day we join pilgrims from around the world and make our way to the house of the Lord and WORSHIP. Thank God for WORSHIP. Sing today with a thankful heart. Pray fervently today with a devoted heart. Take of the Supper with a heart filled with the grace of God. Greet everyone today with PRAISE GOD. It is good to be at the house of the Lord. Be glad.

Worship arises as spontaneously in the heart of the religious devotee, as love arises in the heart of the youth who has found in the maiden beauty, inspiration, and understanding. (Charles C. Jasey, Journal of Religion XV, October, 1935)

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Saturday Morning Promises – The Victim’s Story

Posted on January 24, 2015 by heatonkent

DailyDevotion_1Saturday Morning Promises – Great Stories

Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. (Luke 10:30)

The Victim’s Story

Jesus taught a powerful lesson to the lawyer trying to justify himself in Luke 10. The story of the good Samaritan has resonated throughout the ages as a powerful testimony of how one should care for others. Central to the story is the loving care of a man considered by the Jewish elite as nothing more than a mongrel dog. Clearly Jesus uses this man to bring a sobering lesson home to this certain lawyer. Often lost in the telling of the story is the main character making the story possible – the victim. It is a story but nonetheless application can be made of this man’s story.

A certain man had business in Jericho and he made his way out of Jerusalem with plans and intents for the next few days. Jericho was about eighteen miles from Jerusalem and the trip would first take him to Bethany and then on to the city. It was a dangerous journey with many bandits waiting for the right moment to descend on the unsuspecting traveler. So it was that thieves attacked this poor man taking everything he had. As was the common travail upon those disposed the man was beaten severely and left to die. The bandits did not stay to confirm his death but left in haste with their treacherous gain.

The sun beats down its radiant heat upon the bloody and mangled man. He swallows the dust of the road moaning in anguish. His body is broken. He is unable to move or whisper a cry of help. The wind whips the rocky soil around him as his mind races with searing pain throughout his body. He prays that someone will take pity on him. Footsteps. He hears faintly the movement of a person passing by. In his clouded mind he knows they will come to help. Terrified he hears the sound disappear as a priest of God quickly ignores the tattered man on the side of the road. His pain is almost unbearable with the broken bones and blood pouring from numerous wounds.

Lying on the side of the road he hears more footprints. They come close to where he is. Relief. Salvation. Help has arrived. To his tormented dismay he hears the sandals quickly running away. If he could only lift his head he would see another representative of God’s holy order leaving him by the side of the road. The Levite rushes away. Why will no one help him? He is in so much agony and no one will help him. Time goes by and hope seems to disappear.

He hears footsteps again but he knows they will pass by. He cries with tears of despair knowing death will be his only relief. The footsteps come closer and then he feels a hand and then two hands. He is turned on his back and he hears mumbled words of a man. In a moment a cool feeling of relief comes as oil and wine are poured on his wounds and bandages applied. Then he feels two strong arms helping him up and placing him on an animal. They begin to move down the road. How much time passes he knows not.

He feels the animal stop and those strong arms lifting him into an inn where he is laid on a bed. All night he wearies with fever and pain and suffering. But there is the presence of a compassionate hand that tends to him as morning dawns. He cannot hear everything the innkeeper is being told but he thinks he understands someone to say they will return to look after him. Before slipping off into a peaceful slumber he hears money being exchanged.

The next few days are difficult but he recovers slowly from his wounds. Strength is regained in his body and he sits up in bed knowing all things will be well. A knock at the door. A man enters. He is a Samaritan. This is the man who saved his life. How can he ever repay him? A man rejected by a nation but accepted by God because of his heart of love is his benefactor.

Have you heard this story before? No the real story. The one you have not heard. There is the story of you and me traveling down the road of life and the devil comes and removes all hope from us and leaves us on the side of the road nearly dead. No one cares enough to save us and bring us back from death. One day a man rejected by His own people comes along and because of His compassion binds up my wounds and carries me to a place of rest. I see in my wounds blood but not my blood. It seems the blood of this rejected man is what is healing my body. He promises to take care of me and pays the cost for my healing. The man who saved me on that day was Jesus Christ. How can I repay Him? I cannot. But all I can do is to tell others how THIS MAN SAVED ME FROM DEATH! Thank you Jesus.

Jesus is the Divine Physician and Pharmacist and His prescriptions are never out of balance. (Vance Havner)

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Friday Morning Reflections – Epitaph Of Character

Posted on January 23, 2015 by heatonkent

DailyDevotion_1Friday Morning Reflections – Wisdom Literature

So Job died, old and full of days. (Job 42:17)

Epitaph of Character

Eight words. A name, an age and a legacy. His name was Job. A righteous man whose life was filled with enormous blessing and colossal suffering. The name of Job is synonymous with the worst that can happen to a man. He had more than most men combined could ever dream of and yet in one day lost it all. To darken the mind of this righteous man his health was brutally destroyed. Friends came to solace him and they become more his enemies that helpers. Mrs. Job suffered along with her husband. Through it all Job struggled. When it was all over, he repented in ashes and dust and the Lord gave him more than he had before.

He lived 140 years beyond the valley of travail. He saw his family through four generations. It is not known how many years he lived but he was old when he died. When he closed his eyes in death is life had been full of days. And what days they were for this man of God.

The object of the book is often viewed as a study of suffering. Job is a story about victory for a man who lived to old age and died full of days. His trust was in God no matter what (and we know a lot about that what). He trusted in God when the days were bright and shiny and he trusted in God when walked in the darkest valley of sorrow. Victory is found in Job because living 140 plus years was still a vapor. He suffered but for a moment until glory came. He endured the unbelievable until death gave him rest. He lived and he died.

His epitaph of character should be mine. Let me live today with the eyes of Job knowing no matter what comes today – good or bad – MY GOD IS WITH ME: The one who comes out of the whirlwind and tells me who He IS! Thanks be to God. Thank you Job for your character. Have a good Friday folks.

Character is not made in a crisis – it is only exhibited. (Unknown)

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