Today's Readings -- 10 July 2010

Hope all is well with those who happen by.

This morning we turn to the Psalms, that great collection of our responses to the Lord. This is our earliest hymnbook, I think, and some believe it to be the only legitimate one. Your mileage may vary on that score, but certainly the Psalms set the pattern for our favorite hymns and spiritual songs. There are Psalms that are just a cry of the heart, the only appropriate response to what is going on, the welling up of the spirit. You will find something here that you will need.

Psalm 1

1	Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2	But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
3	And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
4	The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
5	Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
6	For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Psalm 2

1	Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
2	The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,
3	Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.
4	He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the LORD shall have them in derision.
5	Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.
6	Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
7	I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
8	Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
9	Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
10	Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.
11	Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
12	Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

Psalm 3

1	Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.
2	Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.
3	But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
4	I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.
5	I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.
6	I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.
7	Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.
8	Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.

This evening's reading is verses 1-15 of Acts chapter 16.

Acts 16:1-15

1	Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:
2	Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.
3	Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.
4	And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.
5	And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.
6	Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,
7	After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.
8	And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.
9	And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.
10	And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.
11	Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis;
12	And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days.
13	And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.
14	And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.
15	And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.

Today's Readings -- 09 July 2010

g'morning, all. Our week off work is drawing to a close. "Vacation"?? Let's see. We had planned to make a 2000-mile round trip to visit family and friends, some of whom we have not seen in MANY years, all of whom we miss terribly and have for a long time. And it did not happen, for a number of reasons. Car troubles and money troubles intruded, and Dear Wife has not been well. Instead, we found ourselves replacing a water heater when the old one died and leaked water all over the place. Leading not only to carpet damage in the area, but flooring under that and probable structural damage as well. We also had a hole get punched into the floor pan of our 2-piece shower stall (Dear Wife has rheumatoid arthritis, making sitting on one of those stools in the shower, and the one foot punctured the corner). Re-doing that was beyond my skill level and our finances, but she found on e-Bay a set of of plumbing fixtures for our bathtub that includes one of those hand-help sprayers. So we spent a day rebuilding the tub plumbing. Then there was the failure of the 'guts' in our toilet. More work. And a complete revision of the falling-down railing on our front porch/deck. I spent part of yesterday repainting part of the deck and will hope to finish that today, as well as framing in an enclosure around some outdoor utilities. Some 'vacation'.
But I did get to take her out to a midnight meal at one of the local Waffle Houses here in the capitol city. Whee.
Did I say that there are days I understand how Job felt?

This morning, we finish up the book of Job, chapters 40-42. Job, and his friends, have talked a lot about the Lord, and Job has a lot of questions for Him. And they are not really answered. The Lord is present, and makes Job aware of that, and blesses him at the end. But the Big Why is not answered. No tidy wrap-up, no explanation. We don't like that, I certainly don't. Sometimes He calls us to just trust Him. It isn't always easy, and it doesn't always satisfy our sense of rightness or fairness. Do we trust Him, trust His heart, trust that He has our (long-term) best interests at heart? Not an easy question, and no easy answers either. I wish there were, boy do I!

Job 40

1	Moreover the LORD answered Job, and said,
2	Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it.
3	Then Job answered the LORD, and said,
4	Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.
5	Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further.
6	Then answered the LORD unto Job out of the whirlwind, and said,
7	Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.
8	Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous?
9	Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him?
10	Deck thyself now with majesty and excellency; and array thyself with glory and beauty.
11	Cast abroad the rage of thy wrath: and behold every one that is proud, and abase him.
12	Look on every one that is proud, and bring him low; and tread down the wicked in their place.
13	Hide them in the dust together; and bind their faces in secret.
14	Then will I also confess unto thee that thine own right hand can save thee.
15	Behold now behemoth, which I made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox.
16	Lo now, his strength is in his loins, and his force is in the navel of his belly.
17	He moveth his tail like a cedar: the sinews of his stones are wrapped together.
18	His bones are as strong pieces of brass; his bones are like bars of iron.
19	He is the chief of the ways of God: he that made him can make his sword to approach unto him.
20	Surely the mountains bring him forth food, where all the beasts of the field play.
21	He lieth under the shady trees, in the covert of the reed, and fens.
22	The shady trees cover him with their shadow; the willows of the brook compass him about.
23	Behold, he drinketh up a river, and hasteth not: he trusteth that he can draw up Jordan into his mouth.
24	He taketh it with his eyes: his nose pierceth through snares.

Job 41

1	Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook? or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down?
2	Canst thou put an hook into his nose? or bore his jaw through with a thorn?
3	Will he make many supplications unto thee? will he speak soft words unto thee?
4	Will he make a covenant with thee? wilt thou take him for a servant for ever?
5	Wilt thou play with him as with a bird? or wilt thou bind him for thy maidens?
6	Shall the companions make a banquet of him? shall they part him among the merchants?
7	Canst thou fill his skin with barbed irons? or his head with fish spears?
8	Lay thine hand upon him, remember the battle, do no more.
9	Behold, the hope of him is in vain: shall not one be cast down even at the sight of him?
10	None is so fierce that dare stir him up: who then is able to stand before me?
11	Who hath prevented me, that I should repay him? whatsoever is under the whole heaven is mine.
12	I will not conceal his parts, nor his power, nor his comely proportion.
13	Who can discover the face of his garment? or who can come to him with his double bridle?
14	Who can open the doors of his face? his teeth are terrible round about.
15	His scales are his pride, shut up together as with a close seal.
16	One is so near to another, that no air can come between them.
17	They are joined one to another, they stick together, that they cannot be sundered.
18	By his neesings a light doth shine, and his eyes are like the eyelids of the morning.
19	Out of his mouth go burning lamps, and sparks of fire leap out.
20	Out of his nostrils goeth smoke, as out of a seething pot or caldron.
21	His breath kindleth coals, and a flame goeth out of his mouth.
22	In his neck remaineth strength, and sorrow is turned into joy before him.
23	The flakes of his flesh are joined together: they are firm in themselves; they cannot be moved.
24	His heart is as firm as a stone; yea, as hard as a piece of the nether millstone.
25	When he raiseth up himself, the mighty are afraid: by reason of breakings they purify themselves.
26	The sword of him that layeth at him cannot hold: the spear, the dart, nor the habergeon.
27	He esteemeth iron as straw, and brass as rotten wood.
28	The arrow cannot make him flee: slingstones are turned with him into stubble.
29	Darts are counted as stubble: he laugheth at the shaking of a spear.
30	Sharp stones are under him: he spreadeth sharp pointed things upon the mire.
31	He maketh the deep to boil like a pot: he maketh the sea like a pot of ointment.
32	He maketh a path to shine after him; one would think the deep to be hoary.
33	Upon earth there is not his like, who is made without fear.
34	He beholdeth all high things: he is a king over all the children of pride.

Job 42

1	Then Job answered the LORD, and said,
2	I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.
3	Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.
4	Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.
5	I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.
6	Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.
7	And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath.
8	Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job.
9	So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went, and did according as the LORD commanded them: the LORD also accepted Job.
10	And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.
11	Then came there unto him all his brethren, and all his sisters, and all they that had been of his acquaintance before, and did eat bread with him in his house: and they bemoaned him, and comforted him over all the evil that the LORD had brought upon him: every man also gave him a piece of money, and every one an earring of gold.
12	So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses.
13	He had also seven sons and three daughters.
14	And he called the name of the first, Jemima; and the name of the second, Kezia; and the name of the third, Kerenhappuch.
15	And in all the land were no women found so fair as the daughters of Job: and their father gave them inheritance among their brethren.
16	After this lived Job an hundred and forty years, and saw his sons, and his sons' sons, even four generations.
17	So Job died, being old and full of days.

This evening, verses 22-41 of Acts chapter 15

Acts 15:22-41

22	Then pleased it the apostles and elders with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas and Silas, chief men among the brethren:
23	And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia.
24	Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:
25	It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
26	Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27	We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.
28	For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;
29	That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.
30	So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle:
31	Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.
32	And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.
33	And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles.
34	Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still.
35	Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
36	And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the LORD, and see how they do.
37	And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.
38	But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.
39	And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;
40	And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.
41	And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.

Today's Readings -- 08 July 2010

This "off" week is moving quickly, too quickly. Dear Wife and I were both under the weather most of yesterday, and even the night before. Went to bed early, around 7 pm, didn't get up until around noon. Puttered around a bit, then went out for a bit. Met Beloved Younger Daughter and Esteemed Son-in-Law for dinner at a not-too-expensive location. Came home and vegged out a bit. Dear Wife is suffering yet another kidney infection (and possibly yet another kidney stone) so she sat in the tub for a while. listening to an audiobook and drinking cranberry juice. The latter is thought to have some good effects on that whole system. Hope so. And then into bed.

I've been brooding the whole week. I need a change of direction, in my work and in my life. What I have been doing for a living, and enjoying it mostly, a manufacturing engineer at various levels, seems to be a fading flower. There just isn't that much manufacturing going on, and less all the time. And while I am grateful, very, for the job I have and the provision to support Dear Wife, it's a dead end, a no-win proposition for me, no real future there, and 2-1/2 years of broken promises. If there was a good alternative, I'd leave today. As we all know, this is not a good time to be a job-seeking male on the "wrong" side of 48. So I am praying, daily and fervently, for the Lord to open the door that He has prepared for us to enter. I have, frankly, been doing so for some time. I know His plans are perfect and His timing is too. But may I confess to a hope that the time is soon? This just doesn't seem like what He wants us to be doing for very long. And I think that would involve yet another change of location. We have moved so many times, I no longer know where "home" is in this world, and perhaps there is no such place. But I am weary of feeling like a stranger everywhere I go. And Dear Wife is the same. We are lonely beyond measure and feel like strangers everywhere. The Lord has a plan, I only wish He would let us know and get on with it.
Pray for us.

This morning, chapters 38 and 39 of Job. There has been a lot of talk here about the nature of the Lord and what He is like. Now He appears and speaks for Himself. Had to be quite something!, and there really are no words to describe it.

Job 38

1	Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,
2	Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?
3	Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.
4	Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.
5	Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it?
6	Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof;
7	When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?
8	Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb?
9	When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddlingband for it,
10	And brake up for it my decreed place, and set bars and doors,
11	And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed?
12	Hast thou commanded the morning since thy days; and caused the dayspring to know his place;
13	That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it?
14	It is turned as clay to the seal; and they stand as a garment.
15	And from the wicked their light is withholden, and the high arm shall be broken.
16	Hast thou entered into the springs of the sea? or hast thou walked in the search of the depth?
17	Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death?
18	Hast thou perceived the breadth of the earth? declare if thou knowest it all.
19	Where is the way where light dwelleth? and as for darkness, where is the place thereof,
20	That thou shouldest take it to the bound thereof, and that thou shouldest know the paths to the house thereof?
21	Knowest thou it, because thou wast then born? or because the number of thy days is great?
22	Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail,
23	Which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war?
24	By what way is the light parted, which scattereth the east wind upon the earth?
25	Who hath divided a watercourse for the overflowing of waters, or a way for the lightning of thunder;
26	To cause it to rain on the earth, where no man is; on the wilderness, wherein there is no man;
27	To satisfy the desolate and waste ground; and to cause the bud of the tender herb to spring forth?
28	Hath the rain a father? or who hath begotten the drops of dew?
29	Out of whose womb came the ice? and the hoary frost of heaven, who hath gendered it?
30	The waters are hid as with a stone, and the face of the deep is frozen.
31	Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion?
32	Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? or canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons?
33	Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven? canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth?
34	Canst thou lift up thy voice to the clouds, that abundance of waters may cover thee?
35	Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go and say unto thee, Here we are?
36	Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts? or who hath given understanding to the heart?
37	Who can number the clouds in wisdom? or who can stay the bottles of heaven,
38	When the dust groweth into hardness, and the clods cleave fast together?
39	Wilt thou hunt the prey for the lion? or fill the appetite of the young lions,
40	When they couch in their dens, and abide in the covert to lie in wait?
41	Who provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat.

Job 39

1	Knowest thou the time when the wild goats of the rock bring forth? or canst thou mark when the hinds do calve?
2	Canst thou number the months that they fulfil? or knowest thou the time when they bring forth?
3	They bow themselves, they bring forth their young ones, they cast out their sorrows.
4	Their young ones are in good liking, they grow up with corn; they go forth, and return not unto them.
5	Who hath sent out the wild ass free? or who hath loosed the bands of the wild ass?
6	Whose house I have made the wilderness, and the barren land his dwellings.
7	He scorneth the multitude of the city, neither regardeth he the crying of the driver.
8	The range of the mountains is his pasture, and he searcheth after every green thing.
9	Will the unicorn be willing to serve thee, or abide by thy crib?
10	Canst thou bind the unicorn with his band in the furrow? or will he harrow the valleys after thee?
11	Wilt thou trust him, because his strength is great? or wilt thou leave thy labour to him?
12	Wilt thou believe him, that he will bring home thy seed, and gather it into thy barn?
13	Gavest thou the goodly wings unto the peacocks? or wings and feathers unto the ostrich?
14	Which leaveth her eggs in the earth, and warmeth them in dust,
15	And forgetteth that the foot may crush them, or that the wild beast may break them.
16	She is hardened against her young ones, as though they were not her's: her labour is in vain without fear;
17	Because God hath deprived her of wisdom, neither hath he imparted to her understanding.
18	What time she lifteth up herself on high, she scorneth the horse and his rider.
19	Hast thou given the horse strength? hast thou clothed his neck with thunder?
20	Canst thou make him afraid as a grasshopper? the glory of his nostrils is terrible.
21	He paweth in the valley, and rejoiceth in his strength: he goeth on to meet the armed men.
22	He mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted; neither turneth he back from the sword.
23	The quiver rattleth against him, the glittering spear and the shield.
24	He swalloweth the ground with fierceness and rage: neither believeth he that it is the sound of the trumpet.
25	He saith among the trumpets, Ha, ha; and he smelleth the battle afar off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting.
26	Doth the hawk fly by thy wisdom, and stretch her wings toward the south?
27	Doth the eagle mount up at thy command, and make her nest on high?
28	She dwelleth and abideth on the rock, upon the crag of the rock, and the strong place.
29	From thence she seeketh the prey, and her eyes behold afar off.
30	Her young ones also suck up blood: and where the slain are, there is she.

This evening, verses 1-21 of Acts 15. More of the early pattern of the Church, setting in motion forces and patterns we see to this day.

Acts 15:1-21

1	And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
2	When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.
3	And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.
4	And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.
5	But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.
6	And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.
7	And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
8	And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
9	And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
10	Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
11	But we believe that through the grace of the LORD Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.
12	Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.
13	And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:
14	Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.
15	And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,
16	After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:
17	That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.
18	Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.
19	Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:
20	But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.
21	For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.

Today's Readings -- 07 July 2010

Hope all is well with everyone.

Today's Old Testament passage is chapters 35, 36, and 37 of Job.

Job 35

1	Elihu spake moreover, and said,
2	Thinkest thou this to be right, that thou saidst, My righteousness is more than God's?
3	For thou saidst, What advantage will it be unto thee? and, What profit shall I have, if I be cleansed from my sin?
4	I will answer thee, and thy companions with thee.
5	Look unto the heavens, and see; and behold the clouds which are higher than thou.
6	If thou sinnest, what doest thou against him? or if thy transgressions be multiplied, what doest thou unto him?
7	If thou be righteous, what givest thou him? or what receiveth he of thine hand?
8	Thy wickedness may hurt a man as thou art; and thy righteousness may profit the son of man.
9	By reason of the multitude of oppressions they make the oppressed to cry: they cry out by reason of the arm of the mighty.
10	But none saith, Where is God my maker, who giveth songs in the night;
11	Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, and maketh us wiser than the fowls of heaven?
12	There they cry, but none giveth answer, because of the pride of evil men.
13	Surely God will not hear vanity, neither will the Almighty regard it.
14	Although thou sayest thou shalt not see him, yet judgment is before him; therefore trust thou in him.
15	But now, because it is not so, he hath visited in his anger; yet he knoweth it not in great extremity:
16	Therefore doth Job open his mouth in vain; he multiplieth words without knowledge.

Job 36

1	Elihu also proceeded, and said,
2	Suffer me a little, and I will shew thee that I have yet to speak on God's behalf.
3	I will fetch my knowledge from afar, and will ascribe righteousness to my Maker.
4	For truly my words shall not be false: he that is perfect in knowledge is with thee.
5	Behold, God is mighty, and despiseth not any: he is mighty in strength and wisdom.
6	He preserveth not the life of the wicked: but giveth right to the poor.
7	He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous: but with kings are they on the throne; yea, he doth establish them for ever, and they are exalted.
8	And if they be bound in fetters, and be holden in cords of affliction;
9	Then he sheweth them their work, and their transgressions that they have exceeded.
10	He openeth also their ear to discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity.
11	If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.
12	But if they obey not, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without knowledge.
13	But the hypocrites in heart heap up wrath: they cry not when he bindeth them.
14	They die in youth, and their life is among the unclean.
15	He delivereth the poor in his affliction, and openeth their ears in oppression.
16	Even so would he have removed thee out of the strait into a broad place, where there is no straitness; and that which should be set on thy table should be full of fatness.
17	But thou hast fulfilled the judgment of the wicked: judgment and justice take hold on thee.
18	Because there is wrath, beware lest he take thee away with his stroke: then a great ransom cannot deliver thee.
19	Will he esteem thy riches? no, not gold, nor all the forces of strength.
20	Desire not the night, when people are cut off in their place.
21	Take heed, regard not iniquity: for this hast thou chosen rather than affliction.
22	Behold, God exalteth by his power: who teacheth like him?
23	Who hath enjoined him his way? or who can say, Thou hast wrought iniquity?
24	Remember that thou magnify his work, which men behold.
25	Every man may see it; man may behold it afar off.
26	Behold, God is great, and we know him not, neither can the number of his years be searched out.
27	For he maketh small the drops of water: they pour down rain according to the vapour thereof:
28	Which the clouds do drop and distil upon man abundantly.
29	Also can any understand the spreadings of the clouds, or the noise of his tabernacle?
30	Behold, he spreadeth his light upon it, and covereth the bottom of the sea.
31	For by them judgeth he the people; he giveth meat in abundance.
32	With clouds he covereth the light; and commandeth it not to shine by the cloud that cometh betwixt.
33	The noise thereof sheweth concerning it, the cattle also concerning the vapour.

Job 37

1	At this also my heart trembleth, and is moved out of his place.
2	Hear attentively the noise of his voice, and the sound that goeth out of his mouth.
3	He directeth it under the whole heaven, and his lightning unto the ends of the earth.
4	After it a voice roareth: he thundereth with the voice of his excellency; and he will not stay them when his voice is heard.
5	God thundereth marvellously with his voice; great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend.
6	For he saith to the snow, Be thou on the earth; likewise to the small rain, and to the great rain of his strength.
7	He sealeth up the hand of every man; that all men may know his work.
8	Then the beasts go into dens, and remain in their places.
9	Out of the south cometh the whirlwind: and cold out of the north.
10	By the breath of God frost is given: and the breadth of the waters is straitened.
11	Also by watering he wearieth the thick cloud: he scattereth his bright cloud:
12	And it is turned round about by his counsels: that they may do whatsoever he commandeth them upon the face of the world in the earth.
13	He causeth it to come, whether for correction, or for his land, or for mercy.
14	Hearken unto this, O Job: stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.
15	Dost thou know when God disposed them, and caused the light of his cloud to shine?
16	Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him which is perfect in knowledge?
17	How thy garments are warm, when he quieteth the earth by the south wind?
18	Hast thou with him spread out the sky, which is strong, and as a molten looking glass?
19	Teach us what we shall say unto him; for we cannot order our speech by reason of darkness.
20	Shall it be told him that I speak? if a man speak, surely he shall be swallowed up.
21	And now men see not the bright light which is in the clouds: but the wind passeth, and cleanseth them.
22	Fair weather cometh out of the north: with God is terrible majesty.
23	Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice: he will not afflict.
24	Men do therefore fear him: he respecteth not any that are wise of heart.

This evening, chapter 14 of the Acts.

Acts 14

1	And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.
2	But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.
3	Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
4	But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles.
5	And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them,
6	They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about:
7	And there they preached the gospel.
8	And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked:
9	The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,
10	Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.
11	And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.
12	And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.
13	Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.
14	Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,
15	And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:
16	Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.
17	Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.
18	And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them.
19	And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.
20	Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.
21	And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,
22	Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
23	And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.
24	And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia.
25	And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia:
26	And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled.
27	And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.
28	And there they abode long time with the disciples.