June 12 ▪ Day 163

Scripture Readings

Psalms 24:1
Job 21–22
II Timothy 3–4
Proverbs 13

Verse Focus (Psalms 24:1)

The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it,
     the world, and all who live in it.

Meditation

Our verse focus today is another reminder of God’s sovereignty. As Psalms 24:1 says, “The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” Our planet — the mountains, seas, valleys, and plains — and all the trees, flowers, grasses and plant life, not to mention all animal life — every mountain lion, every bear, every rabbit, bird, cat, or insect — they all belong to God. Every nation and every single person — we all belong to God.

I praise God for the wonder of everything He has created. I marvel at the variety and multiplicity of life. I look at the colors and textures; I listen to the wind and hear the traffic and the evidence of teeming human life. It’s an amazing world!

If I remember that all people belong to God, I might have more patience with some of the less endearing people we encounter every day — the driver who snuck through the red light to steal my right of way, the person spouting obscenities at all who pass by, the politician whose policies and stance makes my blood boil.

And when I consider the earth belonging to God, I resolve to become a better steward. It grieves me that too many Christians today and throughout the ages have not treated the environment well. We don’t know when Jesus will return and when there will be a new heavens and earth — it might be today, or it might be several thousand years more. And what will our earth look like if we continue as we have for another thousand years?

Mostly, though, I need the reminder of today’s verse to help me remember that my life is not my own. I have a master. I have a Lord. I have ways that I am supposed to serve Him. Father God, may my actions bring you glory this day.

In Job 21, Job responds to Zophar’s speech about how the wicked will suffer. He counters with the fact that we have all seen the wicked prospering. “Why do the wicked live on, growing old and increasing in power?” Job asks in verse 7. Indeed, the wicked increase in wealth, they have children, they celebrate life and care nothing for God’s ways — they go down to the grave in peace.

In verse 19, Job responds to the argument that the children of the wicked will suffer for their parents’ sins — this is not justice. Job says that God should pay back the wicked directly “that they may know it.”

Indeed, Job meditates on how unfair and arbitrary life seems. One person experiences health and vigor and lives a life of ease; another person dies in bitterness without ever having experienced prosperity — and then the two lie side by side in the grave. Yet Job asks, in verse 22, “Can anyone teach knowledge to God, since he judges even the highest?” Even though Job’s friends believe that God must punish the wicked within their earthly lifetime, God in His wisdom allows some to live in peace and others to live in bitterness — but they both will die.

Job asks his friends how they can offer him such futile comfort. “There is nothing left of your answers but falsehood,” he says in verse 34.

In chapter 22, Eliphaz speaks for a third time. He is becoming yet more entrenched in his argument based on the presumption of Job’s guilt. He says that God does not take pleasure in someone who is righteous; those who are wise or blameless do not add anything to God (v. 3). On the other hand, Eliphaz also says that God does not rebuke someone for piety. No, if Job suffers, it is because of his abundant wickedness. Eliphaz accuses Job of oppressing the poor and assuming that God cannot see his actions. He counsels Job to “agree with God, and be at peace (v. 21).” Job needs to “return to the Almighty (v. 23).” If he does so, then he will be built up. There is a lot of wisdom in Eliphaz’ words about repentance; unfortunately, they are misapplied in Job’s case.

Indeed, as Eliphaz concludes in verse 30, one who is right with God may even make intercession for those who are not innocent, and they shall be delivered. This is particularly ironic, as it foreshadows what will happen later in the book.

In 2 Timothy 3, Paul warns Timothy of the difficulties in the last days because of the godlessness of the people. Verse 5 strikes me. One of the indicators for such godless people is that they will have “the appearance of godliness, but denying its power.” In other words, some of the godless will hide right inside the church. They will attend services, and speak about Christian ideals, but their hearts remain cold and they are not being transformed into Christ’s image. It’s a frightening description. Verse 7 is also striking. They are “always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.” These godless — lovers of self, lovers of money, lovers of pleasure — are going to Bible classes and studying, but the truth does not transform them. Fortunately, Paul also says that the folly of these godless people will be discovered (v. 9).

In verse 12, Paul warns that persecution will be the natural result for those who desire to live godly lives. But we have the great tool of Scripture. As verses 16 and 17 say, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” That’s right — complete. We will be fully completed and fully equipped. We know from other passages that Scripture also protects and shields us. As we live among the godless, in the last days, Scripture is our one big advantage. It makes it even more critical that we get to know what God says to us in His Word.

In the final chapter of 2 Timothy, Paul counsels Timothy to “be ready in season and out of season (v. 2).” Be ready all the time. Are you ready? Paul writes in this letter that he has “fought the good fight… finished the race… kept the faith (v. 7).” Is this something that you could say about yourself? If not, what kinds of things need to change in your life? Fortunately, we have the promise of verse 18 — a gem to hold closely.

I was struck by what Paul says in verse 11. He speaks of John Mark — the writer of the gospel of Mark, Barnabas’ cousin. At one point, Paul was so disappointed in Mark because of his “desertion” of them while they were in Asia that he ended up parting ways with Barnabas. But, later on, Paul made up with Barnabas. And now, Paul writes that Mark is “very useful to me for ministry.” For some reason, I find this small story of redemption very encouraging.

I also noticed how Paul exhorted Timothy to come see him soon. Twice. In verse 9, he says, “Do your best to come to me soon.” And then again in verse 21, Paul writes, “Do your best to come before winter.” The repetition helps me understand how much Paul longed to see Timothy. And it also reminds me of how we too should make it a priority to go visit those we consider part of our family. For too long, the pandemic has kept us from seeing loved ones. But now that many people are vaccinated, now that things are a bit safer — let us not delay in gathering with our loved ones. I’m preaching to myself here. It’s been over a year since I’ve seen some of my brothers even though they live right here in the same region. What does “Do your best to come to me soon” mean to you?

Proverbs 13 contains some verses that have become quite meaningful over the years. Verse 20 is one we looked at earlier this year. Verse 22 is also personally meaningful.

But today I noticed a few proverbs that haven’t really stood out to me before. Verse 8 says, in the ESV, “The ransom of a man’s life is his wealth, but a poor man hears no threat.” I never thought of wealth as holding us hostage in this way before. We get so focused on what we might lack that we forget that there are benefits to being poor too.

Verse 15 says, in the CSB, “Good sense wins favor, but the way of the treacherous never changes.” Apparently in the Septuagint, and a few other manuscripts, the verse reads “the way of the treacherous will perish.” But I think about what it means to never change. The treacherous don’t adapt; they don’t learn from their mistakes. They don’t change; they don’t repent. By implication, then, those that have good sense do change their ways. They adapt, they listen to warnings, they repent. And thus they win favor.

Verse 17 says, in the ESV, “A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a faithful envoy brings healing.” It was the second half of this proverb that struck me. A faithful envoy brings healing. As the CSB says, a trustworthy courier brings healing. The first thing I thought about was the gospel. There’s an obvious way that we as messengers may bring healing. But I wonder what Solomon meant when he wrote this proverb. Perhaps that trustworthy and faithful people allow for peaceful negotiations. There is no corruption or sidetracking. The two sides come together; the nation heals. Did you realize what an important role it is to be a messenger before?

Father God, thank you again for the wisdom in your Scripture. I’m so glad it teaches us, rebukes us, and trains us in righteousness. I’m grateful your Word equips us to be faithful and effective for your service. Help us to always seek you and to seek understanding in the Bible. There are surface meanings, and there are also deeper meanings. Keep us learning and growing. Renew our hearts and protect us from the form of godliness that has no power. Thank you for your Holy Spirit and the work you do in our lives. Thank you for your grace to us in Christ Jesus. In his name, Amen.