Jumping for Joy

O. T. #1129  "Jumping for Joy"
Jan.9, 2018
Job 9
These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.  John 15:11

LET IT GLOW

I enjoy living out in the country. I see God's hand over animals as He brings them my way to be astonished at His creation. The other evening we were going out to eat with our son and his family. As he drove us along our country road, he stopped the vehicle. We saw a half dozen does in the woods. We were all in awe as we watched this young deer prancing around, practicing jumping. It was quite a show. And I think, why are we Christians not jumping for joy at what God does in our life? (Speaking to me.) He saved my soul, set me free from the power of sin, provides for me to over come the evil around here. He is fighting my battles if I will let Him. Yeah, I should be jumping for joy, like the deer.

Well, Bildad was a legalist, a traditionalist, indicating that Job needed sermons and illustrations from the past and philosophical analogies from examples in the world of nature-plants, spiders, roots around rocks.  How would that help Job solve the problem of sores all over his body? Was Bildad there with Job because he cared for the poor man? Did he even pray for Job to survive it all? Some encouraging friend he was.

In chapter 9, Job speaks to Bildad asking questions:

• So what's new? Job knew all that Bildad said.
• How can mere mortals get just with God? Just means to be vindicated in the sense of a court declaring in one's favor.
• What chance would we have if we wanted to bring our case before Him? Job wants to contend, or challenge God. Job answered his own question, "Not 1 in a 1,000."
• Who could take Him on and come out in 1 piece? God's wisdom is so deep, and His power so immense. Even the earth, mountains and seas, stars and sun are under His control. We will never comprehend all the great things God does.
• If He steals you blind who can stop Him?
• Who is going to question what God is doing?

Job recognizes how great God is. He is magnificent in might and Job feared God. He stood before Him in awe and wonder. Job wants to be able to approach God and talk this out. Bildad did not help him do that.

If we could approach God in a divine courtroom setting, and stand before the Judge, what would we do? God is holy and we are sinners.  tend to think we would humbly bow before Him.

LET IT GROW

Job longs to walk into God's courtroom just as he is-covered with sores, bankrupt and broken, to argue his case. He would be a rebel, but desires talking it through face to face  with God.

Swindoll tells us four questions that Job would a God:

1. If I could stand before God, what would I say? Job couldn't answer God, but implore the mercy of the Judge. He couldn't believe God would even listen to him. Job states that God is the strong one. If it is a matter of power, He wins. If Job could stand before God, what would he say? If he could declare his own innocence, what good would it do?

Are we willing to kneel before the Lord our God and Creator? Either we submit to Him now or when we die. Then it will be too late to confess our sins. We are all sinners; none is righteous, no not one.
Will we admit it?

Do we want to fly above our problems like the eagle, soaring in the sky?
Do we want to prance with joy like the young deer?
Then we need to submit to God. Whatever He wants to bring into our life to change us and be a witness of His strength, let us surrender.

LET IT GO

I am a sinner in need of a Savior, Jesus Christ, constantly.
Give my problems to God and soar like an eagle above them.
Jump for joy as I live pardoned.
Share with others how they too can be like the eagle and deer.