Study the Word

Guest (Male): Reminding us of God's steadfast love, here's pastor Tom Keller.

Pastor Thom Keller: He is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to hope. This doesn't sound like someone fickle toward his love for you. Don't be afraid, little flock, for it gives your father great happiness, great joy, great pleasure to give you the kingdom. It's his heart to give you the kingdom. Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. He is not fickle in his love for you. That is his heart for you.

Guest (Male): In contrast to Islam, whose God is capricious, the God of the Bible is a God who does not change. So you can be secure in his love. Yet this is often questioned in time of great suffering, as is in the case of Job. Well, on today's study the Word with pastor Tom Keller, we'll hit that issue head on as we continue in the book of Job. We pick up our story in Job chapter 23 verse 2. Let's join pastor Tom there as he begins.

Pastor Thom Keller: My complaint today is still a bitter one, and I try not to groan aloud. If only I knew where to find God, I would go to his throne and talk with him. I would lay out my case and present my arguments. Then I would listen to his reply and understand what he says to me. Would he merely argue with me in his greatness? No, he would give me a fair hearing. Fair and honest people can reason with him, so I would be acquitted by my judge. I go to the east, but he is not there.

I go west, but I cannot find him. I do not see him in the north, for he is hidden. I turn to the south, but I cannot find him. But he knows where I am going, and when he has tested me like gold in a fire, he will pronounce me innocent. For I have stayed in God's paths. I have followed his ways and not turned aside. I look I pictured looking straight alive fast. Alive fast, I have stayed in God's paths. I have followed his ways and not turned aside. I have not departed from his commands, but have treasured his word in my heart.

Nevertheless, his mind concerning me remains unchanged. And who can turn him from his purposes? Whatever he wants to do, he does. So he will do for me all he has planned. He controls my destiny. No wonder I am so terrified in his presence. When I think of it, terror grips me. God has made my heart faint. The Almighty has terrified me. Darkness is all around me. Impenetrable darkness is everywhere. And here the summary of Job's complaint is, if I could just find God, he would give me a fair hearing. But I can't find him. I can't find him.

The commentator Barnes says this, the language describes the state of a man who is conscious of his uprightness, and yet is exposed to the suspicion of the unkind remarks of his friends. His character is attacked, his motives are questioned, his designs are suspected, and no one is supposed to do him justice. In this state, he feels that God alone will do him justice because because God knows the sincerity of his heart, and he can safely commit his cause to him. It is always a privilege of the derided and the slandered to make an appeal to God's court, and to feel that whatever injustice our fellow man may be disposed to do to us, there is one who never will do wrong.

Isn't that good? You know, it doesn't matter what the world says about you. They don't know the truth. God does. And ultimately, you know, there have been things that have happened to me in the business. Like my mom said, you know, she said I love to write a book, but I can't publish it until I die. And and then all the people that were in the book die because, you know, you get in a lot of trouble. But there have been things that have happened to me in the business that I'm going to go to my grave with that just because of the way dynamics work out, you can't tell anybody what happened because they would just ruin a lot of stuff for a lot of people.

And that's just how life is. Some of you know what I'm talking about. Some of you have situations like that. And those you just take to the grave knowing that God sees all, knows all, and in the end, he's the righteous judge. So before we move on to Job's second friend, uh we want to look at 23 13 to 15. He says this, 23 13 Nevertheless, his mind concerning me remains unchanged. And who can turn from his purposes? Whatever he wants to do, he does. So he will do for me all he has planned. He controls my destiny.

No wonder I'm so terrified in his presence. When I think of it, terror grips me. You know, this is a mind of one who thinks that God really can't be trusted to act favorably on his behalf. It's kind of like he loves me, he loves me not. God loves me, God loves me not. God loves me, God loves me not. This idea that God's favor toward us is fickle. He comes off and on. You know, in Islam that's the truth. In Islam, I think they have 99 attributes of God, but none of them is love.

They don't know a loving God. And as it relates to salvation in Islam, they would say that that God is so uh sovereign that if he wants to, he can send a righteous man to hell or can send a wicked man to heaven. So there's there's no security in the salvation for a Muslim because he's fickle in that way. That's not the God that we serve. Look at Ephesians. Ephesians 1 3. Ephesians 1 3 says, this is about him being fickle in his love, his favor toward us. Ephesians 1 3 says, how we praise God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realm because we belong to Christ.

Verse 4. Long ago, even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. His unchangeable plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. And this gave him great pleasure. Look at Ephesians 1 14. It says the spirit of God, God's guarantee that he will give us everything he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. This is just one more reason for us to praise our glorious God. Look at chapter 1 verse 18.

I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light and you can understand the wonderful future he has promised to those he called. I want you to realize the glorious inheritance he has given to his people. Look at Ephesians 3 16. Beautiful words. Some of the most beautiful in the whole Bible. This is about God being fickle in his love towards you. No, Ephesians 3 16. I pray that from his glorious unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit. And I pray that Christ will become more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him.

May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love. And may you have the power to understand as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how deep, how high his love really is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great that you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now glory be to God. By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to hope.

This doesn't sound like someone fickle toward his love for you. He is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to hope. He be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and never through endless ages. Amen. Look at Luke chapter 12. A left turn from there. Matthew, Mark, Luke. Luke chapter 12 verse 31 says he will give you all you need from day to day if you make the kingdom of God your primary concern. Verse 32 is the key. Don't be afraid, little flock, for it gives your father great happiness, great joy, great pleasure to give you the kingdom.

It is his heart to give you the kingdom. And then one more, John 10 10. Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. 10 10. It says the thief's purpose is to steal, kill, and destroy, but my purpose is to give life in all its fullness. So again, it is the Father's heart to bless you, to give you the kingdom. Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. He is not fickle in his love for you. That is his heart for you. You know, a really fun exercise in seeing God's love and devotion and commitment to live in you and to bless you personally can be done by going to John 17.

You may want to mark this because there may be a time where you need this. I mean where this would really feel good to hear this. John chapter 17 starting at verse 6. Now I'm going to read this through and then we're going to read it through a different way, okay? 17 6. He says I have told these men this is Jesus's high priestly prayer. This is in the upper room before he was arrested and crucified. John 17 6. I've told these men about you. They were in the world, but then you gave them to me.

Actually, they were always yours, and you gave them to me. And they have kept your word. Now they know that everything I have is a gift from you, for I have passed unto them the words you gave me. And they accepted them and know that I came from you. And they believe that I sent you. Then go down to verse 13. And now I am coming to you, and I have told them many things while I was with them, so they would be filled with my joy. I've given them your word, and the world hates them because they do not belong to the world just as I do not.

I'm not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They are not part of this world anymore than I am. Make them pure and holy by teaching them the words of truth. As you send me into the world, I am sending them into the world, and I give myself entirely to you so they might be entirely yours. And this next verse is critical in this. I'm praying not only for these disciples, but also for all who will ever believe in me because of their testimony. Who does that include?

That 's right. It includes you. So this prayer is for you. Let's go on. Verse 21. My prayer for all of them is that they will be one just as you and I are one father, that just as you are in me and I am in you, so they will be in us and the world will believe that you sent me. I have given them the glory you gave me, one as we are. I in them and you in me, all being perfected in one. Then the world will know that you sent me. Listen to this and will understand that you love them as much as you love me.

Now that's an interesting reading, a beautiful reading. But let me maybe give you a suggestion how to read this sometime on your own. I'm going to put my own name in, and I I tried to do this another way and I just can't. You're going to have to excuse me, but I want I want you to read this sometime and put your name in it. You'll get the idea hearing my name, okay? This isn't like this is all about me. This isn't all about me. I I just don't know any other way. I could say Bob, but it would lose the point.

So I'm going to put my name in. Next time you read, you put your name in, okay? You ready? Let's go back to verse 6. I don't know how I get through this. Remember, it said I'm not praying for these disciples alone, but for all who ever believe in me. That's you, that's me. So this prayer is for us. So listen. Verse 6. I've told Tom about you. This is Jesus speaking to his father. I've told Tom about you. Tom was in the world, but then you gave Tom to me. Actually, Tom always was yours, and then you gave him to me.

And Tom has kept your word. Now Tom knows that everything I have is a gift from you. For I've passed unto Tom the words you gave me. And Tom accepted them and knows that I came from you. And Tom believes that you sent me. Verse 13. And now I am coming to you. I've told Tom many things while I was with him so he would be filled with joy. I have given Tom your word. And the world hates Tom because he does not belong to the world just as I do not. I'm not asking you to take Tom out of the world, but to keep him safe from the evil one.

Tom is not a part of this world anymore than I am. Please make Tom pure and holy by teaching Tom your words of truth. As you send me into the world, I am sending Tom into the world, and I give myself entirely to you so that Tom might be entirely yours. I'm not praying only for Tom, but also for all those who will ever believe in me because of their testimony. My prayer for Tom is that he will be one just as you and I are one father, that just as you are in me and I am in you, so Tom will be in us and the world will believe that you sent me.

I have given Tom the glory you gave me so that Tom may be as we are, I and him and you and me all being perfected in one. Then the world will know that you sent me and you will understand that you love Tom as much as you love me. How does that sound? Wow. And you know it's you know you can do that, can't you? Cuz he said this prayer is not for my disciples alone, but for all those who will ever believe because of the testimony of these. You can do that if you're a believer in Christ.

You can put your name in there knowing that that is a proper thing to do cuz it's true. You know, because there are number of people here with an addiction background, there's another place like this, and some of you may be here when we done this before, but a lot of you that are new, go to Lamentations. That's a left turn from John. Find Jeremiah. It's a book right after Jeremiah. So Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, the Lamentations chapter 3, Lamentations chapter 3. And this is another place where you substitute a word to make a very strong point.

And in this one, you replace drugs or alcohol with he. You take away the word he and you put in either drugs or alcohol. I'm going to put in alcohol in. Okay? Lamentations 3 verse 1. I'm the one who has seen the afflictions that come from the rod of God's of the Lord's anger. Alcohol has brought me into deep darkness, shutting out all light. Alcohol has turned against me day and night. Alcohol's hand is heavy upon me. Alcohol has made my skin and flesh grow old. Alcohol has broken my bones. Alcohol has attacked me and surrounded me with anguish and distress.

Alcohol has buried me in a dark place like a person long dead. Alcohol has walled me in and I cannot escape. Alcohol has bound me with heavy chains. And though I cry and shout, alcohol shuts out my prayers. Alcohol has blocked my path with a high stone wall. Alcohol has twisted the road before me with many detours. Alcohol hid like a bear or a lion waiting to attack me. Alcohol dragged me off the path and tore me with his claws, leaving me helpless and desolate. Alcohol bent his bow and aimed it squarely at me. Alcohol shot his arrows deep into my heart.

My own people laugh at me. All day long they sing their mocking songs. Alcohol has filled me with bitterness. Alcohol has given me a cup of deep sorrow to drink. Alcohol has made me grind my teeth on gravel. Alcohol has rolled me in the dust. Peace has been stripped away, and I have forgotten what prosperity is. I cry out my splendor is gone. Everything I had hoped for from the Lord is lost. The thought of my suffering and hopelessness homelessness is bitter beyond words. I will never forget this awful time. I grieve over my loss.

Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this, and then it goes on to give some promises. But isn't that powerful? Cuz that is what alcohol has done. That is what drugs have done. They've taken all that from us. Something to think about there. So now we're going to look at Bildad. This is Job's second friend. Isn't it hard using that word for these guys, isn't it? This is Job's second friend Bildad. And Bildad means son of contention. It doesn't bode well for where this is going, does it? Bildad means son of contention. And he of the three is the mean one.

He is brutal and blunt. Brutal and blunt. And he is responsible for chapters 8, 18, and 25. 8 and 18 and 25. And you will quickly see that these letters are not as kind as Eliphaz's letters were, words were. Bildad just criticizes without giving his reasons. And he opens his speech in a much more severe way than Eliphaz does in his opening speech. And if you remember, Eliphaz rested his case in observation and experience and divine revelation. Bildad doesn't do that. Bildad builds his case on tradition, on tradition. As an example, look at Job chapter 8 verse 8 and 10.

At the tradition, he says 8 8 just ask the former generation. Pay attention to the experience of our ancestors. For we were born yesterday and know so little. Our days are on earth are as transient as a shadow. But those who came before us will teach you tradition. And so Bildad also gives three speeches just like Eliphaz. His first speech is an is an appeal. His second speech is a rebuke. In his third speech, Bildad can't defend his position. Once Job responded to his second rebuke, and so he evades Job's counter argument and just kind of wallows in words.

You'll see that. So let's look at his first speech, Job 8 verse 1. Job 8 1. It says then Bildad the Shuhite replied to Job, how long will you go on like this? Your words are like blustering wind. Does God twist justice? Does the Almighty twist what is right? Your children obviously sinned against him, so their punishment was well deserved. You think about what he just said. He said Job, your sons, your daughters-in-law, your your grandchildren sinned, and they deserve what they got. That's what he just said. Wow. Yeah, what a friend. Your children obviously sinned against them, so their punishment was well deserved.

Oh my goodness. He doesn't say just, he says well deserved. But if you pray to God and seek the favor of the Almighty, if you are pure and live with complete integrity, he will rise you up and restore your happy home. And though you started with little, you will end with much. And then verse 8 again, just ask the former generation. Pay attention to the experience of our ancestors. For we were born, but yesterday and know so little. Our days on earth are transient as a shadow. But those who came before us will teach you.

They will teach you from the wisdom of former generations. Can papyrus reeds grow where there is no marsh? Can bullrushes flourish where there is no water? While they are still flowering, not ready to be cut, they begin to wither. Such is the fate of all who forget God. The hope of the godless comes to nothing. Everything they count on will collapse. Not true, not an absolute. They are leaning on a spider web. They cling to their home for security, but it won't last. They try to hold it fast, but it will not endure. Godless seems so strong like a lush plant growing in the sunshine.

Its branch is spreading across the garden. Its roots grow down through a pile of rocks to hold it firm. But when it is uprooted, it is an even missed. That is the end of its life, and others spring from the earth to replace it. But look, God will not reject the person of integrity, nor will he make evil doers prosper. He will yet fill your mouth with laughter, your lips with shouts of joy. Those who hate you will be clothed with shame, and the tent of the wicked will be destroyed.

Guest (Male): That's some cold-hearted comfort offered to Job by his friend, so-called. It's certainly an example we're not to follow. We'll hear more about it and how to respond next time on Study the Word with pastor Tom Keller. Would you like to give this a second listen? Either go to our website at ccleb.com or visit our YouTube page. Simply subscribe to our channel at Calvary Chapel Lebanon, and you can watch our services live or on demand. For those interested in a CD copy, call us at 717 273 5633. Once again, that's 717 273 5633. It takes a team to bring Study the Word to this station and many others like it.

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