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Bear with me a little, and I will show you, for I have yet something to say on God’s behalf. I will get my knowledge from afar    and ascribe righteousness to my Maker. For truly my words are not false; one who is perfect in knowledge is with you.

Guess who’s good? God. As a Preacher, I need to let you know something, it may take a little while to get it out, and I’m going to be an imperfect messenger, but God doesn’t make mistakes and he has your best as his goal. This is not my opinion, this is not simply my experiences, but it’s “knowledge from afar.” It’s the truth of the Scriptures. From beginning to end, God is the one to be worshiped. We aren’t worthy, yet he saves us, so act worthy…

He burned with anger at Job because he justified himself rather than God. He burned with anger also at Job’s three friends because they had found no answer, although they had declared Job to be in the wrong.

Spoiler alert… when something “goes wrong” God didn’t mess up. We have to live with the consequences of our own actions. Most of our problems have to do with bad choices we’ve made at some point in our lives. Even when it’s not, we always are treated far more than fairly by the Lord. We should never, and this is an important “never,” justify our sinful decisions before the Lord. “Well, I had to…” “you can’t expect me to…” “most people…” “God just wants me to be happy…” Uh… no. God is right, always. We mess up… own it. Don’t listen to your well-meaning friends who will help you justify yourself. Bless their pea-pickin’ hearts…

If I have walked with falsehood and my foot has hastened to deceit; (Let me be weighed in a just balance, and let God know my integrity!) if my step has turned aside from the way    and my heart has gone after my eyes, and if any spot has stuck to my hands, then let me sow, and another eat, and let what grows for me be rooted out.

God is fair, and we need to trust this. He is not looking for perfection, for we know none are. Our sins are forgiven by our faith in the Lord. However, we are called to walk worthy, to be upright and righteous… not perfect, but we need to be sure “follower of Jesus” isn’t just a title but actually descriptive of our lives. What if you were judged based on your life? Not for salvation, but for fruit… have you walked with falsehood or are you honestly following your Lord? We will be judged, you know. Jesus is returning… many will say “Lord, Lord…” but does Jesus really know you? Trust in him… follow him, really, today…

As God lives, who has taken away my right, and the Almighty, who has made my soul bitter, as long as my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils, my lips will not speak falsehood, and my tongue will not utter deceit.

“But that’s not fair!” Well, we’ve all heard that. Truth be told, most of us have said that, and we’ve all felt that way at one time or another. “Why is this happening to me!?” We seldom have that answer. Sure, we have our own ideas and opinions for why things happen to us, but the fact of the matter is, we don’t know. But we choose whom we trust. God, or something else. I choose to trust God. We need to be honest with our feelings, but we also need to land on the side of faith. Trust Jesus…

Bear with me, and I will speak, and after I have spoken, mock on.

Mock the mockers! Just because people will not accept what you have to say is no reason to not say it. We are called by God to speak the truth in love. We are to preach the gospel to the whole creation… not just those whom we believe with receive it. So speak your mind, say your piece, and then if they choose to continue mocking you for your faith, so be it… you’ve done your part. But who knows, from time to time, someone might just listen to part of what you say. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but one day that seed of truth can bear the fruit of salvation. Isn’t that worth swallowing your pride and doing what Jesus has asked us to do? Tell them about Jesus!