If you appreciate this work, consider supporting it - https://www.patreon.com/seekgodtogether

Today we will read portions of Job 1:1-5 which says “There was a man in the country of Uz named Job. He was a man of perfect integrity, who feared God and turned away from evil. He had seven sons and three daughters. Job was the greatest man among all the people of the east. His sons used to take turns having banquets at their homes. Whenever a round of banqueting was over, Job would send for his children and purify them, rising early in the morning to offer burnt offerings for all of them. For Job thought: perhaps my children have sinned having cursed God in their hearts. This was Job’s regular practice.

Did you know that Job is the oldest book in the bible? It’s true. When it was written there was no bible. There was no Judaism. There was no church. There was no law. There was no knowledge of Jesus.

And yet this great man, this honorable man, this rich man, would rise early in the morning to offer sacrifices to God on behalf of his children. What rule instructed him? What religion? None. Something inside of Job compelled him to seek God. And not only to seek God, but to make amends for sin. It was so obvious to Job that this was worship. He also knew that it was the sacrifice, or his children that would pay for their sin.

Overlay this story with Proverbs 14:9 which says “Fools mock at making amends to sin…” Job was no fool. He took worship seriously. In fact his worship was build on the idea of thoroughly dealing with sin.

Nothing has changed. Well that’s not exactly true. God’s self-disclosure has changed - we know more. He’s shown us more. He’s revealed Jesus, and Jesus has become our burnt offering. Fundamentally though, worship still looks the same. It’s always the sacrifice that takes our sin. And fools mock the idea.

“God, I don’t need a religion, a pastor, or even a bible to demonstrate that I need a sacrifice. But I’m grateful that You have taken all the responsibility on Yourself in Jesus. You are my sacrifice. You make me right with You. And in light of that - I worship You.”

If you appreciate this work, consider supporting it - https://www.patreon.com/seekgodtogether

Today we will read Genesis 22:2. Here God is speaking with Abraham and He makes an unimaginable request… “Take your son, He said, your only son Isaac, whom you love, go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.”

We don’t like this verse (and many of the stories in scripture). Understandably so. They’re monstrous at first glance. God is asking the impossible - and why???

But let’s point something out. God did not allow Abraham to kill Isaac. Okay? Let’s remember that. Something else is happening. You may want to take time to read the entire story.

First, Abraham and Isaac go to a mountain - a mountain that God designates. When Isaac asks where the lamb is, Abraham tells his son that God Himself will provide the lamb. When they reach their spot, Abraham binds Isaac and lays him on the wood. Once he is in position, Abraham prepares to stab him. At that moment, he is stopped. God points Abraham to an animal caught in a thicket. It’s a ram - not a lamb. Strangely God does not provide the lamb. Ultimately, immeasurable blessing come through Abraham’s sacrificial and faithful act.

Hmmm - Let’s summarize: they ascend a hill. The son, the one and only beloved son is laid on wood to be pierced. God Himself provides the lamb, and immeasurable blessing flows from this act of faithful sacrifice.

Sound familiar? Yes - it’s Jesus. These stories, brutal as they are, foreign as they are, are pointing to Jesus. They are like reverse echoes that only make sense after the fact. And scripture is filled with them. What is God up to? Getting us to Jesus.

“God I don’t understand it all - not by a long shot. But Jesus is wonderful. You are wonderful. You are blessing and redeeming all things in Jesus. Thank You and I love You.”

If you appreciate this work, consider supporting it - https://www.patreon.com/seekgodtogether

Today we will read Proverbs 3:19-22. It says, “The Lord founded the earth by wisdom and established the heavens by understanding. By His knowledge the watery depths broke open, and the clouds dripped with dew. Maintain your competence and discretion. My son, don’t lose sight of them. They will be life for you and adornment for your neck.

It would be easy in a spiritual practice or worship to ignore the physical and focus only on the spiritual. But in God’s way of doing things, there is no separation. It’s simply Who He is and what He does. And while we are so accustomed to the physical reality and often ignore the spiritual, true worship is actually harmonizing both. Proverbs is entirely practical. Yes, God is interested in how you do the work you do.

How does God work? Yes God works. And He does it well. Everything He does is done with wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. So what is wisdom? Scripture spends more time describing it than defining it. Ultimately God is the definition. So how about we just say that wisdom is the skill that God has within Himself to do things well. This is why the universe just works. It’s why it’s so beautiful and wondrous. Because God is a genius and full of skillful wisdom. 

And then the passage quickly pivots to you. The writer tells you to “Maintain your competence.” To keep it up and keep going. To see that your skill remains sharp. To use your abilities regularly. And why? Because they are “life” for you. Adornment for your neck.

Why would God care about your work? Because you are an extension of Him. Work is good. Do you feel that way? What are you good at? You’re good at something - maybe many things. You should use it AND maintain. God does things - you should do things. And it will be a kind of glory for you. 

God cares how you spend your day. Don’t waste it frivolously or sit on your hands. Use the skill you have to build on the beautiful world He has made. You never know what will come of it.

“God You are a genius - a wonderful creative! Everything You do is done well. I want to join You. Breathe fresh energy into my work and bless it in amazing ways!”

If you appreciate this work, consider supporting it - https://www.patreon.com/seekgodtogether

Today we will read Romans 11:32 which says, “For God has imprisoned all in disobedience, so that He may have mercy on all.”

What will happen in the end - when everyone is dead - everyone’s judged? What will hell be like and who will be there?

These are not pleasant questions. But are there any that are more important? Really? If we take life seriously, and the reality of death seriously, we must deal with it. If we take scripture seriously, we must deal with what it says. And frankly there are verses like this one right under our nose that we frankly ignore.

Who has God imprisoned in disobedience? All. Are there any exceptions? It doesn’t appear so. And who will He have mercy on? All. The same All. Will there be any exceptions? That is the question but in faith looking at this verse, we must say it doesn’t appear so. This runs counter to our typical thoughts on an eternal tormenting hell. And while there isn’t time in a thousand lifetimes to answer all the questions arising from just this one verse, let me ask you a couple questions…

First - Christ’s work on the cross - is it enough to deal with the sin of everyone? 

Second - If the answer to the first question is yes - would there be anything to stop God from applying Christ’s work on the cross to everyone? 

And if this maybe too out of the box, let’s just re-read the verse … “For God has imprisoned ALL in disobedience, so that He may have mercy on All.”

“God I don’t know what You’re up to. But if this verse is hinting at what I think it’s hinting at - then You’re up to far more than I ever could have imagined.”

If you appreciate this work, consider supporting it - https://www.patreon.com/seekgodtogether

Today we will read Isaiah 44:22 which says “I have swept away your transgressions like a cloud, and your sins like a mist. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you” and let’s parenthetically add the last part of Revelation 13:8 which says “…Christ slain from the foundation of the world”.

Have you ever avoided God? I have. What would cause us to do something like that? 

Shame. A sense of shame and guilt. What if I did the same thing yesterday (or 2 seconds ago) that I’ve done a thousand times? Surely God must be done with me this time. Surely He doesn’t want me. Surely I need to clean myself a bit, or at least let a little time go by to let the dust settle before talking to Him again. 

But doesn’t this knee-jerk feeling demonstrate that what you’re actually doing is depending on yourself for God’s acceptance? 

And yet, look at those verses…God has ALREADY swept away your transgression and your sin. God has removed your gross rebellion (the worst of the worst) and even your rather mundane imperfections. Imagine that. He didn’t consult you. He didn’t get your consent. He simply did it. And when did He do it? Somehow, and I won’t pretend to understand…from the foundation of the world. 

Your most disgusting rebellion and annoying imperfections were addressed by God long before you were ever born. It is simply not your responsibility to clean them up. You heard me right. It’s not your job - it’s God’s. Stop taking God’s job.

But you do have a responsibility. And that is to simply return to God. You’re actually doing that now. Go to God with your rebellion, imperfections and all. He has all the capacity to form you into the person you were made to be. Let Him do it. All you are required to do, is go to Him. Don’t ignore Him. 

“God I believe You. You have accepted me. You’ve dealt with my guilt. I don’t have to bother with it. I return to You. Again and again. Unbelievable as it is, I believe You receive me as if I were perfect.”