These are a few of our SOAP notes from today’s reading. We encourage you to read and journal on your own first, then join us in conversation about what God revealed to YOU today. Click HERE to go directly to the daily reading if you wish.
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Antidote for spiritual pride | Nikki Metzger
S~ Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you know so much. ~God to Job in Job 38:4 (NLT)
O~ After much conversation about Job’s life and picking it apart and trying to dig deep and figure out what is happening to Job, the Lord is addressing Job. He confronts Job with some serious questions.
A~ Spiritual pride has been something I’ve been reading about, thinking about, and listening to others about. What is the antidote? Humility. True humility.
Pride so easily creeps into my heart. I think I am in control of my life, I take ownership and desire accolades. When everything is running smoothly in life, I start to get a big head. I dig into God’s word and I think, “oh yeah, this person needs to hear this. That person really should follow God.” It’s like God’s word doesn’t even apply to me, because I’m already so great. Oh boy!
When I’m so full of myself, I need a truth gauge. Job 38 is going to be my truth gauge. I’m going to read Job 38 like the Lord is talking to me. Nikki, where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? The truth is: I was no where. The Lord had thought about me, He loved me, He had a plan for me as He was laying out the foundations of the earth, but it was all Him doing the work!
P~ Thank You for Job 38! Bring me here when I need to hear this, when my spiritual pride is taking over me.
Human Limitations | Michelle Myers
S~ Have you comprehended the vast expanses of the earth? Tell me, if you know all of this. Job 38:18 (NIV)
O~ God starts speaking to Job, who is in a lot of emotional and physical pain. Prior to this, Job’s friends were speaking to him, and not really providing much comfort. Truth be told, when someone is going through that kind of pain, it leads to a lot of confusion. Other human beings, can’t provide a great deal of comfort through their words during those times. Their companionship and presence, can provide a little relief, but the kind of comfort that is required for loss, pain, and confusion that deep, must come from God.
A~ As a human being that doesn’t like to see people hurting and in pain, I have to know my own limitations in being able to comprehend another person’s situation, their pain, Your reasoning behind it, and Your plan for it. There have been many times in my own life that I have gotten this all wrong. I, many times, have no idea what You are doing in regards to certain situations in MY own life, let alone being able to understand and know for sure what Your intent is for someone else’s life.
I have gotten better about listening to what You want me to say, how to say it, and when to just shut up and be present for another person. When I try and do it on my own it is not gracious, humble, loving, and usually does more damage than good.
I have gotten to the point, that I don’t look for the “why” answers anymore from You, but that just knowing You are in the middle of the mess with me, hearing Your voice and Your truths, while it is occurring brings me more peace and comfort, than any other human being can provide. I want other people to know this and get this from You also.
You comprehend and know everything; and You have my back. Given the right situation, even the most well meaning and loving human being fails at this. That is why YOU are God!
P~ Thank you God for the lessons that I have learned, in regards to going to You, because You can provide what no other human being can. Please help me stay humble and remember this in regards to myself and my relationships with others. Please help me stay connected to You, so I can hear You, for my own peace and comfort, but also so I know when and what to speak, or not to speak in regards to helping others who need peace and comfort.
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