August 21

Today's Reading

We begin Job today, the account of a man whose struggles and trails defy our imaginations. What do you think of the word picture of the "heavenly court" with Satan coming before God along with the rest of the heavenly beings? What about how God allowed him to put Job to the test?

1 Corinthians 14 highlights one of the more controversial topics in the New Testament, that of speaking in tongues. No doubt our readers will include various points of view on this topic. All I will say is, watch out for extremes on either side of the issue. Those who say that this is a dead gift and God doesn't work like this anymore, do so in the face of significant evidence to the contrary. Those who say that everyone must do this as a part of their faith are ignoring similar significant evidence to the contrary. Somewhere between those extremes lies some great truths to help us in our walk with God.

Psalms: this latter part of Psalm 37 reveals a part of the cry of my own heart. Seek God, humble yourself before Him. You may stumble and you will make mistakes, but He is there to lift you up and care for you.

Proverbs: "26 Some people are always greedy for more,
but the godly love to give!" I am reading a little book about generosity right now. The heart of a giver is constantly overflowing. The heart of a greedy person feels like it never has enough.

How do you see yourself in the light of today's passages?