E-pistle for February 6, 2015
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E-Pistle
FreeWay Foundation Dr. Curt Scarborough February 6, 2015
Stand still and consider God's works!
(Job 37:1-24)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. Elihu continues his remarks about God's attributes by using the loud
thunder of a storm to illustrate the majestic voice of God, vv. 1-6.
2. Elihu says that God has a purpose in all the events and circumstances
to be observed on earth . . . from the wild animals living in caves to the
snow of winter; that even in suffering, God has His purposes; both
instruction as well as punishment, vv. 7-13.
3. Elihu challenges Job to observe God's clouds, rain, and sun, vv. 14-21.
4. Elihu pictures Almighty God as awesome and majestic in golden splendor,
and although "man cannot find Him" (in his own limited spiritual perception),
yet man should reverence and trust God, whose purpose is not to oppress
but to bless those who are "wise of heart," vv. 22-24.
II. Meditation and Revelation: on some key verses and their spiritual implications
1. 1. "He (God) seals the hand of every man, that all men may know His work,"
v. 7. This means that God brings about circumstances which close or stop
("seal") man's laboring temporarily, so that he may reflect upon God's work . . .
the heavy rain causes man to cease working and seek shelter (as do the
animals, v. 8), allowing him time to think about spiritual matters.
2. "He (God) causes it to come, whether for correction, or for His land, or for
mercy," v. 13. Rain (and all other events, including even suffering as in the
case of Job) can have several divine purposes . . . correction, instruction,
refreshing, mercy; man is to seek spiritual insight to discover God's reasons.
3. "Stand still and consider the wondrous works of God," v. 14. Quiet times
pausing from the everyday activities of life) are necessary; they enable a person
to receive spiritual revelation through meditation upon the things of God.
4. "He (God) shows no partiality to any who are wise of heart," vf. 24. Persons
who have true spiritual perception ("are wise of heart") know that God always
operates in absolute justice and righteousness . . . even though His divine
purposes may be obscured from human view.
III. Application: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Whenever God puts my life on "pause" reflect upon His ways and works.
2. Look for God's divine purposes behind all the circumstances and events of
my life and ministry.
3. "Be still and know that the Lord is God," Psalm 46;10.
4. Trust God always to do what is best, even though I may not understand His
purposes.
Why prayers go unanswered
(James 4:1-17)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on "HEART" sins which hinder effective prayer
1. Desires for pleasure, v. 1.
2. Unfulfilled lusts, v. 2..
3. Murder (malicious hatred,) v. 2.
4. Covetousness, v. 2.
II. Meditation: on why some prayers go unanswered
(By "UNANSWERED" we mean that God answers by saying "NO")
1. Because they are made with a wrong motivation ("AMISS"), v. 3.
2. Because they are made SELFISHLY, v. 3.
3. Because they are made by believers who are UNFAITHFUL to God
(adulterers and adulteresses); who are "FRIENDLY" toward the world's
System, but who are ENEMIES of God, v. 4.
4. Because they are made with PRIDE rather than with HUMILITY, v. 6.
III. Revelation: on how to pray and receive "YES" answers from God
1. Submit to God and resist the devil, v. 7.
2. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you, v. 8.
3. In repentance, receive God's forgiveness and cleansing, vv. 8-9.
4. Humble yourselves in the sight of God, and He will lift you up,
vv. 8-9.
5. Do not speak evil of other persons, nor judge (condemn) fellow
believers, vv. 11-12.
6. Recognize that God controls the future; do not presume that you'll
even be alive tomorrow, vv. 13-14.
7. Seek for and pray that the Lord's will be done in every situation
and circumstance of your life, v. 15.
8. Avoid the pernicious sin of omission . . . knowing that you should
do good, but too lazy actually to do it, v. 17.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Avoid the worldly sins of the flesh, which hinder my prayers from
being answered, Isaiah 59:2.
2. Make sure my motivation in prayer is pure: love for God and love
for persons in need . . . not selfishness nor pride.
3. Draw near to God daily (Bible study, prayer, meditation), in repentance
and humble submission to His will.
4. Watch my mouth! . . . making sure that what I piously ask for in prayer
to God is not contradicted and negated by my ungodly speech and
actions toward other persons.
Wit & Wisecracks: Mark Twain said, "Wrinkles should merely indicate where the smiles have been."
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