UNANSWERED PRAYER

“Oh, that I might have my request, that God would grant me the thing that I long for!" (Job 6:8 NKJV).

Job’s pain and suffering had driven him to feel completely hopeless and helpless. Further, the comments from one of his friends only made matters worse for Job. It caused Job to become more discouraged than ever, and did nothing to help explain why Job was experiencing his trials. In our verse, Job laments that God did not answer his request. Thus we want to note the desire of Job and the denial for Job.

Desire of Job – “My request.” Job’s request was that God would take his life. The pain and suffering had become so heavy for Job to bear that he asked God to “crush me” (Job 6:9), that is, for God to take his life. As far as Job was concerned, this was the only way out of his troubles. As for his friend, he was no help at all; he had given Job no relief or comfort. So Job wanted to die. This, of course, is not a good request. But others have made the same request. For example, Elijah prayed that God would take his life after fleeing from wicked Jezebel (1 Kings 19:4). And Jonah also desired the same (Jonah 4:8).

Denial for Job – “Oh that I might have my request.” Job’s lament indicates that his request was not being granted by God. In fact, his request was denied by God. How thankful Job could be that God did not answer his request. We know from reading the end of the book of Job that he was healed and blessed by God. As a matter of fact, Job ended up with much more than what he had before. Had God granted his request, Job would have missed out on all these blessings. We too can be thankful God does not answer all our requests. Many of our requests are prayed in the flesh and not in faith and if answered would keep us from future blessing.

(Adapted from Butler Daily Bible Reading)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“Prayer is not a way of getting what we want, but the way to become what God wants us to be!”

Anonymous

Word Study

Dignified

In Titus 2:6-7 we read, “Likewise urge the young men to be sensible; in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified” (NASB).

Dignified is the Greek word semnotēs (σεμνότης = sem-not'-ace). It refers to decency, gravity, honorableness, nobility and propriety. It carries the idea of a seriousness that is fixed on God and honors whatever honors Him. It describes a serious and worthy conduct that earns reverence and respect.

In Classical Greek semnotēs is used as an honorable attribute of the gods as well as used to describe a person’s deportment that commands respect. In the Septuagint it is used to describe the reverence and respect due to the temple. In the New Testament semnotēs is found only three times, all in the Pastoral Epistles. It is used to describe the conduct of Christian citizens, as a necessary characteristic of a bishop in his household and how a teacher should conduct himself.

Semnotēs does not describe the demeanor of a person who is a killjoy and full of gloom. Rather, it describes the conduct of the man who knows that he lives in the light of eternity. The dignified person is never frivolous, trivial, or superficial. He does not laugh at immorality, vulgarity, or anything that is sinful and ungodly. Nor does he laugh at that which is tragic or at the expense of others. A life which is dignified (semnotēs) gives a consistent witness to the Person and name of Christ, and to the truth and validity of the gospel.

Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus

Old Testament Prophecy – Messiah would ascended to the right hand of God

(Psalm 68:18)

New Testament Fulfillment – Mark 16:19; Luke 24:51; Acts 2:33; 7:56; Rom. 8:34; Eph. 1:20; Col. 3:1; Heb. 1:3; 10:12.

Bible Facts

Safe drinking water (Lev. 11:33-36). God forbade drinking from vessels or stagnant water that had been contaminated by coming into contact with a dead animal. It is only in the last 100 years that medical science has learned that contaminated water can cause typhoid and cholera.

Bible Quiz

Which two employees did the Pharaoh throw into jail with Joseph?

**Answer to last week’s trivia: The woman that Jesus met at Jacob’s well had had how many husbands? 5 (John 4:18)

That’s in the Bible

"Meek shall inherit the earth”

“But the meek shall inherit the earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace” (Psalm 37:11 NKJV).

“Meek shall inherit the earth” - The expression “meek shall inherit the earth” carries the idea of God’s people reigning over the earth. The word “meek” means afflicted, lowly, and humble. It conveys humility and trust in God rather than self-centered attitudes. The meek person surrenders everything to the Lord and His control. He bears injustice patiently and without bitterness. God’s people may be persecuted now, but the future is one of gain not loss. The “meek” have a great future ahead of them.

Did You Know - Christian History

Thomas Shepard was born November 5, 1605 in Towcester, Northamptonshire, England. He was an English American Puritan minister and a significant figure in early colonial New England.

Shepard’s mother died when he was four and he lived a difficult life under his stepmother. His father died when he was ten, at which point he went to live with his grandparents and later an older brother, whom he held in high and grateful regard. Later, a teacher ignited in him a scholarly interest, which ultimately led to his entry into Cambridge University at the age of fifteen.

Although he hungered for God, he hungered more for the things that fed his lust and pride and so Shepard lived a life of reckless sin. His character did not change until he heard a Puritan preach on Paul’s words “Be renewed in your mind” (Romans 12.). He became an effective preacher, showing people their misery, Christ as the remedy, and explaining the way to seize Christ’s mercy.

Forbidden to preach by the Archbishop of the Church of England, and following the death of his eldest son, he and his wife left England in 1635 for Massachusetts in colonial America. Shortly after his arrival, his wife died as did his second wife and other children.

Shepard was regarded as one of the foremost Puritan ministers of his day, esteemed in the company of individuals like Richard Mather and John Cotton. He took special interest in Puritan ministry to the Massachusetts Native Americans. Although he led more individuals to Christ than any other Puritan minister, he always felt dissatisfied with his efforts. He poured his energy into establishing an Indian mission, writing religious books, and founding Harvard University. When he died on August 25, 1649, contemporaries knew that a great man had passed from their midst.

A Little Humor

A neighbor brought her four month old baby to visit her neighbor. The baby soon begin to fuss. The son of the neighbor said, “Where did you get him?” “He was sent from heaven,” the mother replied. As the infant continued to cry and yell, the little boy said, “I bet I know why he was sent from heaven. God wanted it quiet up there!”

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“When God saves us, our sins are forgiven and forgotten forever!”