Job 5 “Blessed is the one whom God corrects;so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. For he wounds, but he also binds up;he injures, but his hands also heal.  From six calamities he will rescue you; in seven no harm will touch you. In famine he will deliver you from death, and in battle from the stroke of the sword. You will be protected from the lash of the tongue, and need not fear when destruction comes. You will laugh at destruction and famine, and need not fear the wild animals. For you will have a covenant with the stones of the field, and the wild animals will be at peace with you.  You will know that your tent is secure; you will take stock of your property and find nothing missing. You will know that your children will be many, and your descendants like the grass of the earth. You will come to the grave in full vigor, like sheaves gathered in season. “We have examined this, and it is true.So hear it and apply it to yourself.”

Hosea 14:9 NIV  “Who is wise? Let them realize these things. Who is discerning? Let them understand. The ways of the Lord are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them.”

In these days on earth there are many critics of high and holy things. The pride of humans has grown so large and strong that we presume to correct the Lord. When we hear something that doesn’t seem to fit into our scheme of thinking, we judge it as incorrect. We read the scripture and when we see something we think is unfair, and pass judgment of what God has said and done. We start from our own perspective and not the presumption that Scripture is holy and true. This is a big mistake.

The media and lifestyles all around us scream a point of view, which people easily seem to imbibe. This idea that everyone is right, is common and central. The Bible talks about that way. Before the days of Kings and Judges in Israel, everyone did what we determined “right” in their own judgment. We are right back there today. The Scriptures are rejected, God is rejected and the blood of the covenant is trampled underfoot. We are in cold and dark days.

The book of Proverbs talks of people who decide their own way to go and behave in a way that seems the right way, but God judges the heart. He sees our true intention that we hide from ourselves and excuse ourselves from. The way we decide leads to death. Yet still we reject God as being too severe and not able to condemn people to eternal punishment. We think the world’s way is fairer and more kindly to us.

We do not know the Lord.

 God wounds and disciplines the people he loves. He makes supreme promises to His people. Our problem is, we do not understand this way with our ungodly mindset. Here are the treasure He promises to those who follow…

• Nothing will harm you, no matter how great a trouble comes, or how many.
• He will deliver from all grievous situations, especially in your soul.
• You don’t need to fear what people say. They will be dealt with.
• Trouble will come, and you will laugh at it, because it does God’s work.
• Animals are subject to you. Wild animals are at peace with you.
• Even the inanimate objects will bow to you.
• Your possessions are all in God’s care and you do not need to worry about their safety, as God is in control.
• You will count your children as many. Not just natural children, but the many people you will point to Christ and bring into His kingdom.
• God will sustain you in old age. Your end of life will be like a harvest of many fruits and sheaves for heaven.
• When you die, the body may have worn out, but your soul will be in full strength and vigor. You will step over the edge of this life and be full of rejoicing.

This is the heritage of the people of God. What has this world to offer against this?

Think about your life. Are you living in the realization of these truths?

Do you walk in the ways of the Lord your God and thrive in them and love Him?

Or are you kicking against His way. Stumbling alone, unsure and afraid.

Allow Him to lift you up and cleanse your wounds and pour in His healing love to your soul. We are our own worst enemy, because we just won’t bend and bow to Him. The enemy keeps us in that uncertain state. We doubt and so we fear.

“Cast care aside, lean on thy guide….”

“Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord evil is avoided.” Proverbs 16

May we fear the right things… If we fear God rightly, we will know His power to walk uprightly. Our lives will be pleasing to Him. As we trust in Him, so we realise that Faith is real and God is who He says He is….