Everybody ends up somewhere in life.

 

Everybody ends up
somewhere in life.

Taken from a message from Andy Stanley with my thoughts and comments worked in.

 

I have participated in every bad discission I have ever made.

 

And guess what You also have participated in every bad discission you have ever made.

 

We made many in our youth, we drop the ball in some bad choice of who we dated, after marriage, how we honor the covenant we enter into, we make bad discission with our children, our finances, our careers, our parents, and our God.

 

Each morning we face our greatest challenge in the mirror.

 

We are not easy people to lead, you know the ones that look at themselves each morning in the mirror.  So how can you and I become the one that leads the mirror people of this upside-down nations?

 

This nation pastime was baseball, but it has changed to judging the other pollical party, you know because you like me are good at doing so.

 

Shall we get honest, I have done more to undermined my success and progress than any pollical party or candidate elected to office.

 

So, with that insight this is the truth, Until we learn to lead ourselves we will never be able to lead anyone else.

 

Now we all have witness leaders that were not worth following, I bet you have worked for a few, and I know you have seen many in leadership roles at church, maybe at home, and in government.

 

Many of you like your parents, but it depends on how well they managed themselves, as to where you want to be like your parents.

 

Exceptional self-leadership is the key to sustained influence.  You understand there is a difference between influence and authority or a title.  Most of us are not open to people we do not respect, and we do not respect people who do not lead themselves well.  Self-leadership is the key to respect, it has little to do with education, or wealth, for integrity is not a requirement for education or having wealth.  And it is sad to say, it is not required for government office.

 

Great leaders last because they lead themselves first.

 

We are no better than what we do, and no one can make you do anything, but the person in the mirror.

 

Three things we all need to learn

 

1.    I will not lie to myself even when the truth makes me feel bad about myself

 

You need to fire the liar in you.

 

2.    I will prioritize what I value most over what I want now.

 

As a follower of Christ, I must do this, for it’s what Jesus did, He put us before Himself.  As a follower of Jesus, love your neighbor, and that is everyone you encounter.

 

What you learn at every funeral is this: The value of a life is measured by how much of it was given away.  As Christ-followers we are to lead our life by valuing others, people matter to God, and should to you.  Those who value others get more accomplished, but as Andy states, it will still not save the Western culture.

 

3.    I will not attempt to lead myself by myself.

 

You cannot lead yourself by yourself; your history should tell you that.  Your greatest regrets are with people you wish you had never met.  Your biggest regrets were with people you liked, and they liked you.  And you had common interests, but not common values. With that said and it is true, I’ve experienced it, and your life will be shaped by the people you spend time with.  Our friends determine the direction and quality of our lives.

 

Our great designer; Jesus Christ, designed us for the community because we cannot lead ourselves by ourselves.  You do not need to be in a community with people that share a common interest, no you need to be in a community of people that share your values.  People who love you enough to tell you the truth about yourself because they value you.

 

You will lose a few friends because of what you value most are in conflict with the people who want now.

 

Everyone in life ends up somewhere, and where you end up has nothing to do with who is in the Whitehouse, it only has to do with the person in the mirror.  Each morning you face someone created in the image of God and they deserve the truth.  The person in the mirror is looking to you to lead yourself well.

 

I hope you are one of the smart ones that will take these truths and learn to lead yourself, so you will be able to lead others.

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice

The beginning of Jesus Ministry

 Mark 1: 9 – 14

 

The Baptism of Jesus

 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.  And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.   And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son”^] with you I am well pleased.”

Forty times the term immediately was used by Mark in his Gospel, it is important for each of us to recall these words of 2 Peter1:21, “For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”  The Holy Spirit used Mark to give us insights into aspects of Jesus baptism in rapid action, like when Jesus came out of the water, the heavens being torn open, the Spirit descending on Jesus in the form of a dove, and God’s statement; “You are my beloved Son”, with you I am well pleased.  We must not overlook that all three persons of the Trinity are present at the baptism of Jesus.

The Temptation of Jesus

“The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness.   And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.”  The Scriptures make clear that the Spirit that descended on Jesus at His baptism is also the same Holy Spirit that forced Him into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan.  Mark is led by the Holy Spirit and wants the reader to understand it was the very next thing in Christ's ministry.  I believe this happens often to young men called out of the workplace and to go through the trial of getting a seminary degree and end up in a small church, that is not open to doing anything new and they often run them out of the ministry.  We have many accounts of 40 years, for example, the children of Israel in the wilderness, Moses before returning to Egypt, and even 40 days such as Elijah in the wilderness.

 

Jesus Begins His Ministry

 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”  There was at least a year of Jesus' life that took place before John the Baptist was arrested and put to death.  But the message was the Messiah was walking around in an earth suit.  In John’s gospel, we understand the Jewish people were not open to repenting and believing, especially the religious leaders.  

John 1:11 – 13,  ^“He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.   But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,  who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”  It is beyond understanding how they could have rejected the Messiah or is it, are they different than you?  They wanted to be the captain of their ship; they want God on their terms.  It is going to happen, one way and only one, I learned that in Vacation Bible School as a child, but like many, I bought into the foolish ways of the world for 27 years of life, and God's love and grace were offered at such a young age.  He is still waiting for so many, do not be foolish, the world and its desires are passing away, but the person who does the will of God will live forever.

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice

 

 

 

He look different, He smelled different, He was different

 

April 26, 2020

 

Mark 1: 4 – 8

 

“John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.  And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.  Now John was clothed with camel's hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey.  And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.  I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

 

This reminds me of a man named Del, who came to our church in Spring, Texas with a caravan of people living in travel trailers.  One of the families was expecting any moment a child to be born, and I for one was vocal with the men I prayed with each Saturday morning, that was the craziest thing I had ever heard.  It was not a one-week revival, but two, and guess what, they wanted my wife and others to cook for them in our church kitchen, three meals each day? 

 

Now it was called the “Life Action Singers” and I could not help but wonder how we were going to survive two weeks of singing.  We had heard that at the last church they had stayed for a full month; I was sure not looking forward to this!

 

Do you recall that Isaiah the prophet of God, stated that God was going to send a forerunner to prepare the way for His Son’s entry into ministry?  Do you recall how different he was, but do you also recall he came baptizing, but it was a baptizing of repentance of sins.  Do you recall his dress was different, his approach to ministry was not even close to what the Jewish Priest was doing at the temple service?  What happened?  People were awakened to sin they confessed their sins and they repented of them!

 

Why did I begin by talking about Del Fehsenfeld Jr. the founder of Life Action Ministries?  Because for the first time in my spiritual life I witnessed a revival in a local body of believers.  Del was different than anyone in ministry I had ever met, and I believed he and John the Baptist had a lot in common.  It is recorded that Del often said; 

 

“One of the problems in much of our church work today is that we sit in a meeting room and make our plans, then ask God to bless them … rather than getting in the Word of God on our knees first and getting the mind of God, then moving ahead with the confidence of knowing that what He has ordained, He will bless!”

 

The Life Actions Singers stayed for three weeks, and many came and confessed sins, one of the staff got up one night and stated that God had shown him he was not teachable and ask for prayer.  The night that God got hold of me, the Life Action Singers passed out a paper called the “Complete Spiritual,” it was three pages front and back, and as I took the test, it became clear I had failed, it was part three and I had several question marks, three, yes and it stated if you circled one or more yes, check this box.  Then it quoted Proverbs 6:16 &17, “There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,”  and this thought came into my mind, I’ve never shed innocent blood, but I’m surely guilty of the other two.  I’m glad I did not quit taking the test, for the next six questions should have been answered yes, and I did, but I knew I was not being truthful, but I also knew God knew I was not being truthful.  It states in print:  Realize “. . . Your iniquities have separated between you and God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, that He will not hear.” (Isaiah 59:2)

 

Spring Baptist is a large church, and many seemed to have finished the test quickly and the noise was upsetting, how could they be so happy when I was in such pain, I had failed the test!  I was a follower of Christ; I had entered into Him and He lived in me, but pride and arrogance had made me like a pharisee, and that night I confessed to my Father and was restored to fellowship with the LORD.

 

The Complete Spiritual ended with this statement; “Let us search and try our ways and turn again to the Lord.” (Lamentations 3:40)

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice

God loves you

 

April 25, 2020

 

Marks Gospel

 

The Introduction and verses 1-3

 

Today I’m using the introduction found in the Holman Christian Standard  Study Bible

 

“Mark’s Gospel emphasizes actions and deeds.  Jesus is on the go – healing, casting out demons, performing miracles, hurrying from place to place, and teaching.  In Mark, everything happens “immediately.”  As soon as one episode ends, another begins.  The rapid place slows down when Jesus enters Jerusalem (11:1).   Therefore, events are marked by days and His final day by hours.”

 

 

Mark 1: 1 - 3

“The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.   As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, the voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,”

Jan and I are very blessed to have come to know Jesus as our Redeemer and Lord, we were both in our twenties and our experiences are different, about a year apart, mine in a Hotel room and hers in the back of a Church building and she recalls little that the preacher said.  As we reflect on our early time with the Lord, it was people that were sent to us to mentor and encourage us in the ways of God.  I am so thankful for my first mentor, an amazing man who I later found out was an All-American football player at TCU and played pro-ball for the New York Giants.  He also was referred to as Dry Hole Jack in the Oil industry, in that the first 19 holes he drilled were dry.  Then one day he drilled the 20^th and became a millionaire.  He came to Christ in his early forty’s and He began with me in the book of John.  What Jack taught me was that I am loved by God!  Jack did not do the correct things like bow your head when it was just the two of us, he just brought Jesus into the conversation.

What does this have to do with the book of Mark, a lot of Johns Gospel is an introduction to how much God loves you and me, it is about a promised one who would come and redeem his people, it is about them rejecting Jesus and you and I being grafted into Christ, it gives us an account of the disciples and their doubt and unbelief.  Most of all, John was not jumping from one event to the next.  Mark is telling the same thing, but it is always immediately.  As a New Creation in Christ, I needed someone who was in love with Jesus, someone who I could look up to and at the same time see a man who knew that the only thing of value in his life was his new friend, Jesus Christ.  I grew up in church and knew all about Jesus and I believed that He was the Son of God, but I could not believe he could love someone as evil as I was.  God knew my need for love, and acceptance, He sent Jack so I could learn how God loved me, a mess, yes in Christ but still trying to hold on to a little of the worldly things.  I hope you will explore the book of Mark with me, and allow the Holy Spirit to teach you whatever it is you need at this stage in your life.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

God is always Faithful

 

Job 42: 10 – 16

 

 

“And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job when he had prayed for his friends. And the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.  Then came to him all his brothers and sisters and all who had known him before and ate bread with him in his house. And they showed him sympathy and comforted him for all the evil that the Lord had brought upon him. And each of them gave him a piece of money and a ring of gold.

 And the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning. And he had 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 yoke of oxen, and 1,000 female donkeys.   He had also seven sons and three daughters.   And he called the name of the first daughter Jemimah, and the name of the second Keziah, and the name of the third Keren-happuch.   And in all the land there were no women so beautiful as Job's daughters. And their father gave them an inheritance among their brothers.   And after this Job lived 140 years, and saw his sons, and his sons' sons, four generations.  And Job died, an old man, and full of days.”

What lessons have you learned not so much about Job, but about yourself?  Are you going through a hard time with the Pandemic of Fear, maybe someone you love has turned against you in this Covid-19 coronavirus, in that you no longer meet the social, emotional, or financial need, as you did just months ago?  Maybe you’re a pastor of a large church and worry about how to meet the needs of your flock, knowing that people are not going to be happy with you for the decision you are going to require in this pandemic of fear.  If so, you understand a little about where our President and governors are coming from.  If they open the economy too soon and the first person that gets sick, they will be blamed by the media and if no one gets sick they will be blamed for not opening sooner and the damage they have done to so many families.

Leadership is not for sissies!

Now, this is what Job did, He listens to the only one that has complete knowledge, and did what God had instructed him to do, and because of that Job was in right standing with both God and man.

 

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

Often, God uses others to confront our sin

 

Job 42:7 -  9

 

“After the Lord had spoken these words to Job, the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite: “My anger burns against you and against your two friends, for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has.  Now, therefore, take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and offer up a burnt offering for yourselves. And my servant Job shall pray for you, for I will accept his prayer not to deal with you according to your folly. For you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has.”  So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went and did what the Lord had told them, and the Lord accepted Job's prayer.”

 

Often, God uses others to confront our sin, I will never forget the action of a young man, I was staying at his home when my life was in total rebellion, wanting what I thought I wanted and not concerned that I was bringing shame on the name of my Redeemer, Jesus Christ.  One day I said something I’m not sure what and my friend Ronnie who at that time did not profess to be a follower of Christ, said something I knew was God speaking through him.  Ronnie’s reply was so powerful, “Bob, I thought you professed to be a Christian, that is not the way Christians talk or act.”  

 

Job’s three friends while trying to defend God, made wrong judgments and accusations about the reason for Job’s condition.  It became clear that they did not understand God’s love for His creation and made God out to be an insensitive enforcer of justice.

 

 I totally missed that Job's three friends had left Job and by the time they returned Job’s health was restored.  Now that may have happened the moment Job confessed or weeks later the Scripture does not give us that insight.  For them to have a right relationship with the Father they had to do as God required of them.

 

I remember one of the best Lay Renewals Jan and I went to was in Amarillo, Texas, led by my friend and mentor Jack Archer.  We had witnessed God moving in an amazing way and we had taken two or three young girls with us.  I stopped for gas and the person running the station said something to me that I reacted to in the wrong way.  The young girls heard my reply, it was harsh but not wrong, till the Lord spoke into my mind to turn around and go back the 20 or so miles and ask the man to forgive me.  I had a great argument, we had a long way to go, it was going the wrong way, but it seems God was saying, do you want to have my hand on you if so go back and ask for the man to forgive you?  I went back, the man was not into forgiveness but instead said ok, but I do not even recall who you are or why I’m forgiving you.  That was not his words, but it was close to that.  As I drove off to Houston, I understood it was not about the gas attendant, but my willingness to be obedient.  Job’s friends were obedient, and God used Job’s prayer to make them in right standing with Him.

 

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

When we see Jesus

 

Job 42:1 - 6

 

Then Job answered the Lord and said:

“I know that you can do all things and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.  ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’  Therefore, I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.   ‘Hear, and I will speak; I will question you, and you make it known to me.’  I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore, I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”

 

As followers of Christ, I understand we will not stand at the White Throne Judgment, only those who have rejected Jesus Christ as God’s only Son, who died on the Cross for your sins and mine.  We who have bowed a knee will be judged, I’m not at all sure how it is going to work, but I can only imagine a very large screen that is playing back every word that was idle and foolish, every act that did not bring glory to our Lord, since the time we bowed our knee to Christ.  It will not change our relationship with the Father but it will be less blessing we can bring to our Savior.  You may want to examine Romans 3:10 and Romans 2:16.  Romans 3:10 states clearly that no one is righteous, not one, so if your righteousness is based on your works, and not on Christ who is your righteousness, you have a big problem.  Romans 2:16 makes it clear that not one thing will be hidden from God, and the Holy Spirit or the Son, I’m thinking the playback is not for God but for us.  I am so thankful it is not based on my performance but on a time in a hotel in Victoria, Texas, where I bowed my knee to the Lord Jesus and ask Him to forgive my life of unbelief, and looking to self, and not the Cross where He overcame by His blood; sin and the grave, and rose in three days and sits at the right hand of the Father.  The good news is He is coming back to rule on the earth for a Thousand Years, and His saints will be with Jesus for eternity.

 

I’ve never been ashamed to confess Jesus as my Lord, but often I’ve not done so in knowing it will not be received, I now understand that’s not my call.  I did find this quote from George MacDonald of interest: “We are often unable to tell people what they need to know because they want to know something else.”

 

From the Back Porch,

God so Love You

 

April 21, 2020

 

Job 41

 

If God had needed you and me to understand what a Leviathan is would He not have told us?  Is not the point that this created animal was not something Job or anyone else could control or manage?  Let’s move to verses 10 – 11, “No one is fierce enough to rouse it.  Who then is able to stand against me?  Who has a claim against me that I must pay?  Everything under heaven belongs to me.”

 

As stated in chapter 41, the Leviathan is one mean critter and yet it was a created being, made by God for a purpose.  What I’m not sure about, but then I’m not sure about fire ants and many other things.  The point is God has total control over all creation, so who is a man to stand against God, is it not like chasing after the wind?  

 

God was telling Job if you cannot confront and control a small part of my creation, how are you going to make a claim against me?  How foolish is it when you and I do not seek Him, has He not told us that He will give wisdom to all who ask it of Him?

 

I’m not sure who to give credit for this statement, but how true it is and has been in my life; “I have seen the enemy, and it's me.”  When I try living life in my own ability and not looking to the Lord for guidance, I find myself being self-centered and wanting my way, not God’s way.  Thank the LORD, He is slow to anger, and has a great love for His children, even a mess like me.

 

I am not sure about anyone but me, however, this I’m sure of, God loves you and desires a relationship with you.  He owns everything and has no need of anything, so why not allow Him to pour His love into your life?  Never forget He not only loves you, but He is Holy, and He is Just, and because of that He sent Jesus to save us from our sinful self.  Being Holy God cannot allow evil or sin into His presence, and yes Jesus made a bridge to God by dying on a cross for you and me, for all people, for before sin came into man, God said we were good, and He walked and talked with both Adam and Eve.  That is the relationship He desires with you.

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice

God is not a CEO - He our Creator

 

Job 40

 

Job is having his corner office visit with God, that is when a salesman asks for a visit with the CEO, the boss, the person who makes the final decision.  Job has been critical of God and often asks for a one on one with God so he could set things right.   The corner office call has never been an easy call for some salespeople, in fact, they never make it because this persons time is important, they are not easy to arrange a visit with, and one must be ready with numbers and facts about how your product will expand his business and make money or save money.

 

Job does not get the corner office, so God shows up in a whirlwind, and it seems Job is caught off guard, and God does not sound like He is all that pleased with Job.  God is speaking in Job 38:2, “He said: Who is this who obscures My counsel with ignorant words?”  I’m sure you recall God’s words in verses 3 – 7, “ Brace yourself like a man;  I will question you, and you shall answer me.   “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?  Tell me, if you understand.   Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know!   Who stretched a measuring line across it?  On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone—while the morning stars sang together and all the angels^[a] shouted for joy?”

 God asked Job so many questions about His Creation in chapters 38 – 39, and now in Job 40 he has the moment he thought he wanted, but at this moment Job wished he had never spoken a word.  So, picking up the account in Job 40: 1 – 5, The Lord said to Job:

“Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him?  Let him who accuses God answer him!”  Then Job answered the Lord^; “I am unworthy—how can I reply to you?  I put my hand over my mouth.   I spoke once, but I have no answer— twice, but I will say no more.”

 

That is a salesperson who gets the corner office visit but is not prepared with the answer and leaves the office in total defeat, no sale, and the change of a return visit very slim.  Thank goodness that is not how God is, for He has been very patient with Job and His friends, I find it of interest that God does not say anything about Elihu, but God is not about to leave this unfinished.  Listen to verses 7 – 14, “Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me.  “Would you discredit my justice?  Would you condemn me to justify yourself? Do you have an arm like God’s, and can your voice thunder like his?
Then adorn yourself with glory and splendor, and clothe yourself in honor and majesty.
 Unleash the fury of your wrath, look at all who are proud and bring them low,  look at all who are proud and humble them, crush the wicked where they stand.   Bury them all in the dust together;  shroud their faces in the grave.  Then I myself will admit to you  that your own right hand can save you.”

 

I’ve forgotten at times how blessed I am, and who my Father is and the great, no it is more than great, it is amazing how my Creator could love a mess like me, and if you knew me you would be in agreement on that statement.  It is going to be very interesting how Job replied to God.

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice

 

 

When God ask the Questions, who can answer?

 April 18, 2020

 

Job 39

 

Often, way too often, we who go by the title of Christian, as you know I do not use that title.  I am a follower of Christ and the title Christian has so many connotations it is hard to understand.  Many a person believes that they are a Christian because their parents said they were, or because they live in the USA, or because they were baptized as a baby, but not any of those will redeem a person or make them righteous before a Holy God.  You must understand the price that Jesus paid on the cross, and bow a knee to Him asking for His forgiveness of your sins and believing God has raised Him from the dead.

 

Now back to what many of us do, we have a box of what God will or won’t do, Job also had such a box, and His friends had even smaller boxes for God to operate in this world.  God begins to ask more questions of Job about His creation.

 

“Do you know when the mountain goats give birth?  Do you observe the calving of the does? Can you number the months that they fulfill, and do you know the time when they give birth, when they crouch, bring forth their offspring, and are delivered of their young?  Their young ones become strong; they grow up in the open; they go out and do not return to them.  

 

“Who has let the wild donkey go free?  Who has loosed the bonds of the swift donkey, to whom I have given the arid plain for his home and the salt land for his dwelling place?  He scorns the tumult of the city; he hears not the shouts of the driver.  He ranges the mountains as his pasture, and he searches after every green thing.

 

 “Is the wild ox willing to serve you?  Will he spend the night at your manger?
Can you bind him in the furrow with ropes, or will he harrow the valleys after you?  Will you depend on him because his strength is great, and will you leave to him your labor?  Do you have faith in him that he will return your grain and gather it to your threshing floor?  

 

“The wings of the ostrich wave proudly, but are they the pinions and plumage of love?   For she leaves her eggs to the earth and lets them be warmed on the ground, forgetting that a foot may crush them and that the wild beast may trample them.   She deals cruelly with her young as if they were not hers; though her labor be in vain, yet she has no fear because God has made her forget wisdom and given her no share in understanding. When she rouses herself to flee, she laughs at the horse and his rider.  

 

“Do you give the horse his might?   Do you clothe his neck with a mane?  Do you make him leap like the locust?  His majestic snorting is terrifying.  He paws in the valley and exults in his strength; he goes out to meet the weapons.  He laughs at fear and is not dismayed; he does not turn back from the sword.  Upon him rattle the quiver, the flashing spear, and the javelin.  With fierceness and rage, he swallows the ground; he cannot stand still at the sound of the trumpet.  When the trumpet sounds, he says ‘Aha!’  He smells the battle from afar, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting.

 “Is it by your understanding that the hawk soars and spreads his wings toward the south?  Is it at your command that the eagle mounts up and makes his nest on high?
On the rock, he dwells and makes his home, on the rocky crag and stronghold.  From there he spies out the prey; his eyes behold it from far away.  His young ones suck up blood, and where the slain are, there is he.”

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice

God speaks to Job

 

Job 38

 

 

Job has questioned God’s fairness with him, so God speaks, and Job now has the opportunity to listen to the one with all knowledge and speak if he can answer the questions God is asking of him.

“Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said:  “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?  Dress for action like a man;  I will question you, and you make it known to me. 

“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding.  Who determined its measurements—surely you know!  Or who stretched the line upon it?  On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone^, when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?  “Or who shut in the sea with doors when it burst out from the womb, when I made clouds its garment and thick darkness its swaddling band,⁰ and prescribed limits for it and set bars and doors, and said, ‘Thus far shall you come, and no farther, and here shall your proud waves be stayed’?

 “Have you commanded the morning since your days began, and caused the dawn to know its place, that it might take hold of the skirts of the earth, and the wicked be shaken out of it?  It is changed like clay under the seal, and its features stand out like a garment.   From the wicked, their light is withheld, and their uplifted arm is broken.

 “Have you entered into the springs of the sea, or walked in the recesses of the deep?
Have the gates of death been revealed to you, or have you seen the gates of deep darkness?  Have you comprehended the expanse of the earth?   Declare, if you know all this.

 “Where is the way to the dwelling of light, and where is the place of darkness, that you may take it to its territory and that you may discern the paths to its home?¹ You know, for you were born then, and the number of your days is great!

“Have you entered the storehouses of the snow, or have you seen the storehouses of the hail, which I have reserved for the time of trouble, for the day of battle and war?  What is the way to the place where the light is distributed, or where the east wind is scattered upon the earth?  “Who has cleft a channel for the torrents of rain and a way for the thunderbolt, to bring rain on a land where no man is, on the desert in which there is no man, to satisfy the waste and desolate land, and to make the ground sprout with grass?  “Has the rain a father, or who has begotten the drops of dew?  From whose womb did the ice come forth,  and who has given birth to the frost of heaven?  The waters become hard like stone, and the face of the deep is frozen.

 

“Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades or lose the cords of Orion?  Can you lead forth the Mazzaroth in their season, or can you guide the Bear with its children?  Do you know the ordinances of the heavens  Can you establish their rule on the earth?

 

“Can you lift up your voice to the clouds, that a flood of waters may cover you? Can you send forth lightning, that they may go and say to you, ‘Here we are’?  Who has put wisdom in the inward parts or given understanding to the mind?  Who can number the clouds by wisdom?  Or who can tilt the waterskins of the heavens, when the dust runs into a mass and the clods stick fast together?  “Can you hunt the prey for the lion, or satisfy the appetite of the young lions, when they crouch in their dens or lie in wait in their thicket?   Who provides for the raven its prey, when its young ones cry to God for help and wander about for lack of food?”

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice