April 19, 2011 Time for a Change

April 19
Ready for Change?
Read Job 13-14

Job 13:22-23 Now summon me, and I will answer! Or let me speak to you, and you reply. 23 Tell me, what have I done wrong? Show me my rebellion and my sin.

“WHAT DID I DO?” Did you ever ask that question when your parents punished you? Or perhaps you said something like this, “I was just having fun. I didn’t mean to ….” Usually in those circumstances we knew what we had done wrong even though we proclaimed ignorance or innocence of wrongdoing—of sin.
Job is really struggling with what is happening. He truly wants to know, “What did I do?” The opening lines of this story describes Job as “blameless—a man of complete integrity.” (Job 1:1) There are no accusations against Job. The only one who has accused Job is Satan – and that accusation is for the purpose of tempting him to turn from worshiping God.
But in his anguish of understanding the great calamities in his life, Job still worships God. That is clear in this scripture today. Job is willing to hear God’s voice. Job is willing to hear what sin he has committed. Job wants to know, so he can be right with God.
That is the point where many of us stop short of worship. We may often be eager to praise God for the ways He’s blessed us and sometimes to even praise Him for the ways He strengthened us through difficult times. But we are seldom ready to say to God, “Show me my sin.”
If we truly see our sin in the truth of the Living God, we will have to change, to adjust our lives to God’s ways. We’re often unwilling to do that, aren’t we?
That is worship—responding to the truth of the Living God. Whatever issues in your life, be open to what God shows you. Ask His forgiveness. Seek His truth. And worship Him.


Pause and Consider: What is your sin?