For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

(Matthew 18:20)

Worship is transcendent wonder.

Thomas Carlyle, Heroes and Hero-Worship

Daily Meditations by Pat Nordman ©

May 30

"Therefore I will not keep silent; I will speak out in the anguish of my spirit, I will complain in the bitterness of my soul." Job 7:11.

Job finally came to a point where he had to speak out in his misery. Another example of speaking out in bitterness of soul is Naomi. She chose the name Mara because of her anguish in the loss of her husband and two sons in the ten years of their sojourn in Moab: "I went away full but the Lord has brought me back empty." Ruth 1:20.

Both Job and Naomi experienced the circle of life which finally touches us all, for we all at sometime go from ample to empty and from mirth to mourning. "There is a time for everything..." Ecclesiastes 3:1. The fact that life is a circle, a revolution, gives us hope that "this, too, shall pass," whatever the grief.

It is dangerous to indulge in resentful language while we are stumbling through our valley. As one unknown writer observed, "It's safest when God's hand is on our back, to keep our hand on our mouth." Job and Naomi must have felt chosen for the worst in life, and they vented their grievances. By contrast, David said, "I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth..." Psalm 39:1. We don't know what we would do under similar circumstances. We can't sit in judgment on Job and Naomi; perhaps their complaints were damaging more than sinful. Surely it didn't help their peace of mind to give life to their thoughts of unfairness.

What a grand lesson for us as we inch our way through a burden we think is too heavy to bear, forgetting that God is carrying the heavier part of it.

Pat Nordman ©

Excerpts from today's Spurgeon's Devotions
Spurgeon's Morning for May 30	Spurgeon's Evening for May 30
"Take us the foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vines." - Song of Solomon 2:15	"That henceforth we should not serve sin." - Romans 6:6
A little thorn may cause much suffering. A little cloud may hide the sun. Little foxes spoil the vines; and little sins do mischief to the tender heart. These little sins burrow in the soul, and make it so full of that which is hateful to Christ, that he will hold no comfortable fellowship and communion with us.	Christian, what hast thou to do with sin? Hath it not cost thee enough already? Burnt child, wilt thou play with the fire? What! when thou hast already been between the jaws of the lion, wilt thou step a second time into his den?

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May 30 1Ch 3:1 - 5:26

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Today's Devotion

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But my mouth would encourage you; comfort from my lips would bring you relief.

Job 16:5 (NIV)

Finally Unstifled

by Cathy Vinson

"I will be merciful to their unrighteousness"

(Jer 31:34)

. . . we see hints that God wasn't dealing out punishments in equal proportion to what the sins deserved. He was holding back.

Readers of the Old Testament often shudder at the severe punishments Israel received for her rebellions. Yet even at that, we see hints that God wasn't dealing out punishments in equal proportion to what the sins deserved. He was holding back. Flickers of grace flash throughout the Old Testament shining towards its full revelation. As glad as we are for God's earlier mercies toward His nation, God was having to wear a veil. For in not dealing with the sins fully, He was stifling a part of Himself as being the God of perfect justice.

When could God look mercifully, without wincing, at unrighteousness? Did a single moment usher in this gaze of mercy which would last for eternity? Was it in the breaking forth of a new covenant? While Jesus was paying the price through His blood, we who were revealed as His slayers were being shown complete mercy. The payment was paid that day. God could now totally "be Himself." In forgetting sins He was not going to be stifled.

This certainly reveals what need we are in. If we wish to run for cover for all our sins exposed before Him, it isn't necessary, for He has already seen us. "I will forgive THEIR wickedness." What a bittersweet gaze! God our Father looks, and looking forgives. Unclothed we stand before God, and now He expresses His all in mercy.

Jesus united it all together! The day has come! In Him, "righteousness and peace have kissed each other" (Psalm 85:10).

Send a note to © Cathy Vinson , the writer of this devotion

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