Tuesday 24 January 2012

Read Job 29

 

I have heard of You… but now my eye sees You.  Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes. –Job 42:5-6

 

A teenager whose father is abusive said to me, “I want to be a good man like my Sunday school teacher and like him, not like my dad.”

 

Knowing his Sunday school teacher, I could certainly agree that he as a “good man” and I was grateful that he also saw me as “good”.  I do want to be reverent, kind, forgiving, pure in my lifestyle, and obedient to God.  But I also know the sinfulness of my own heart and how dependant I am on God’s goodness and grace.

 

The Lord spoke of Job as “a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil (Job 1:8).  Yet after all his trials, Job said, “I abhor myself and repent in dust and ashes (42:6).  Even after reflecting on his own goodness (29:1-25), he knew the condition of his heart.

 

From a human perspective, many people may be described as “good”. But God sees the disobedience, selfishness and hate that lie deep within all of us. He also knows that  we have spiritual blind spots.  And when He opens our eyes to see ourselves as He does, we understand why a “good man” like Job said he abhorred himself.

 

Lord, help us to be good but never to lose sight of our sinfulness and unworthiness.  Thank you for the forgiveness You offer us in Christ. –Herb Vander Lugt

Teach me, Lord, my true condition,

Bring me, childlike, to Your side;

May I never trust my goodness—

Only in Your grace abide. –Anon

 

Even the best people have nothing to boast  about.

 

Prayer:

 

¨ Remember to uphold all students who are commencing another era of schooling.

 

¨ Pray for the children who are going to school for the first time. Pray for their parents as they release their children into this new stage of their lives.