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Excerpts from Job Chapter 38 (Part I)

“Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind:

‘Who is the that questions My wisdom with such ignorant words? Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you. must answer them. Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you know this much.

Who determined its dimensions and searched out the surveying line? What supports its foundations, and who laid its conerstone as the morning stars sang together and all the angles shouted for joy?

Who kept the sea inside its boundaries as it bursts from the womb, and as I clothed it with clouds and wrapped it in thick darkness? For I locked it behind barred gates, limiting it shores. I said, This far and no farther will you come. Here your proud waves must stop!.'” (Job 38: 1-11, NLT)

“My heart pounds as I think of this. It trembles within me.

Listen carefully to the thunder of God’s voice as it rolls from His mouth. It rolls across the heavens, and His lightning flashes in every direction. then comes the roaring of the thunder – the tremendous voice of His majesty. He does not restrain it when He speaks. God’s voice is glorious in the thunder. We can’t even imagine the greatness of His power.

He directs the snow to fall on the earth and tells the rain to pour down. Then everyone stops working so then can watch His power. The wild animals take cover and stay in their dens. The stormy wind comes from its chamber, and the driving winds bring the cold. God’s breath sends the ice, freezing wide expanses of water. He loads the clouds with moisture, and they flash with His lightning. The clouds churn about at His direction. They do whatever He commands throughout all the earth.

He makes these things happen either to punish people or show His unfailing love. ……..No wonder people everywhere fear Him. All who are wise show Him reverence.” (Job 37: vv.13, 24, NLT)

“Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness!” (Ecclesiastes 5:10, NLT)

“Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.” (Luke 12:21, NLT)

“When I look at the night sky and see the work of Your fingers – the moon and the stars You set in place – what are mere mortals that You should think about them, human beings that You should care for them?” (Psalm 8:3-4 , NLT)

“Few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerfully wealthy when God called you. Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And He chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful.” (1 Corinthians 1: 26-27, NLT)

“You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to parents and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!” (2 Timothy 3: 1-5, NLT

Job Speaks of Wisdom and Understanding

“God alone understands the way to wisdom; He knows where it can be found, for He looks throughout the whole earth and sees everything under the heavens. He decided how hard the winds should blow and how much rain should fall. He made the laws for the rain and laid out a path for the lightning. Then He saw wisdom and evaluated it. He set it in place and examined it thoroughly. And this is what He says to all humanity: ‘The fear of the Lord is true wisdom; to forsake evil is real understanding.'” (Job 28:23-28, NLT)

[Jesus said,]”Those who accept My commandments and obey them are the ones who love Me. And because they love Me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal Myself to each of them.”(John 14:21, NLT)

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life in faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially sin that so easily trips us up. A let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now He is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility He endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. After all, you have not yet give your lives in your struggle against sin.

And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as His children? He said, ‘My child don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when He corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punished each one He accepts as his child.'” (Hebrews 12:1-6, NLT)

“We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-10, NLT)

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me – the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge will give me on the day of His return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to His reappearing.” (2 Timothy 4:7-8, NLT)

“This High Priest of ours understands our weakness, for he faced all of the same temptations we do, yet he did not sin.” (Hebrews4:15, NLT)

“Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude.” (1 Peter 3:8, NLT)