THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION
OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:
“CONGRESS SHALL MAKE NO LAW RESPECTING AN ESTABLISHMENT
OF RELIGION, OR PROHIBITING THE FREE EXERCISE THEREOF;
OR ABRIDGING THE FREEDOM OF SPEECH, OR OF PRESS;
OR THE RIGHT OF THE PEOPLE PEACEABLY TO ASSEMBLE,
AND TO PETITION THE GOVERNMENT FOR A REDRESS OF GRIEVANCES.”
THE GREAT AWAKENING=THE ABILITY FOR TRUTH TO COME IN, THE LIGHT BEING INTRODUCE TO the darkness;
GREAT DELIVERANCE!
WE USE THESE VERSES FOR QUICK CONFESSION AND ALSO WE GO TO ANY NUMBER AND THEN RETURN TO OUR WEEKDAYS DEVOTIONAL.
1
THEREFORE, HAVING BEEN JUSTIFIED BY FAITH, I HAVE PEACE WITH GOD THROUGH MY LORD JESUS CHRIST, THROUGH WHOM ALSO I HAVE ACCESS BY FAITH INTO THIS GRACE IN WHICH I STAND, AND REJOICE IN HOPE OF THE GLORY OF GOD. AND NOT ONLY THAT, BUT I ALSO GLORY IN tribulations, KNOWING THAT tribulation PRODUCES PERSEVERANCE; AND PERSEVERANCE, CHARACTER; AND CHARACTER, HOPE. NOW HOPE DOES NOT disappoint, BECAUSE THE LOVE OF GOD HAS BEEN POURED OUT IN OUR HEARTS BY THE HOLY SPIRIT WHO WAS GIVEN TO US.
FOR WHEN I WAS STILL WITHOUT STRENGTH, IN DUE TIME CHRIST DIED FOR THE UNGODLY. FOR SCARCELY FOR A RIGHTEOUS MAN WILL ONE DIE; YET PERHAPS FOR A GOOD MAN SOMEONE WOULD EVEN DARE TO DIE. BUT GOD DEMONSTRATES HIS OWN LOVE TOWARD ME,
IN THAT WHILE I WAS STILL A SINNER, CHRIST DIED FOR ME. MUCH MORE THEN, HAVING NOW BEEN JUSTIFIED BY HIS BLOOD, I SHALL BE SAVED FROM wrath THROUGH HIM. FOR IF WHEN I WAS an enemy I WAS RECONCILED TO GOD THROUGH THE DEATH OF HIS SON, MUCH MORE, HAVING BEEN RECONCILED, I SHALL BE SAVED BY HIS LIFE. AND NOT ONLY THAT, BUT I ALSO REJOICE IN GOD THROUGH MY LORD JESUS CHRIST, THROUGH WHOM I HAVE NOW RECEIVED THE RECONCILIATION.
WHEN ADAM SINNED, SIN ENTERED THE WORLD.
ADAM’S SIN BROUGHT DEATH, SO DEATH SPREAD TO EVERYONE,
FOR EVERYONE SINNED.
YES, PEOPLE SINNED EVEN BEFORE THE LAW WAS GIVEN. BUT IT WAS NOT COUNTED AS SIN BECAUSE THERE WAS NOT YET ANY LAW TO BREAK. STILL, EVERYONE DIED–FROM THE TIME OF ADAM TO THE TIME OF MOSES–EVEN THOSE WHO DID NOT DISOBEY AN EXPLICIT COMMANDMENT OF GOD, AS ADAM DID. NOW ADAM IS A SYMBOL, A REPRESENTATION OF CHRIST, WHO WAS YET TO COME. BUT THERE IS A GREAT DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ADAM’S SIN AND GOD’S GRACIOUS GIFT.
FOR THE SIN OF THIS ONE MAN, ADAM, BROUGHT DEATH TO MANY. BUT EVEN GREATER IS GOD’S WONDERFUL GRACE AND HIS GIFT OF FORGIVENESS TO MANY THROUGH THIS OTHER MAN, JESUS CHRIST. AND THE RESULT OF GOD’S GRACIOUS GIFT IS VERY DIFFERENT FROM THE RESULT OF THAT ONE MAN’S SIN. FOR ADAM’S SIN LED TO CONDEMNATION, BUT GOD’S FREE GIFT LEADS TO OUR BEING MADE RIGHT WITH GOD, EVEN THOUGH WE ARE GUILTY OF MANY SINS. FOR THE SIN OF THIS ONE MAN, ADAM, CAUSE DEATH TO RULE OVER MANY. BUT EVEN GREATER IS GOD’S WONDERFUL GRACE AND HIS GIFT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, FOR ALL WHO RECEIVE IT WILL LIVE IN TRIUMPH OVER SIN AND DEATH THROUGH THIS ONE MAN, JESUS CHRIST.
YES, ADAM’S ONE SIN BRINGS CONDEMNATION FOR EVERYONE,
BUT CHRIST’S ONE ACT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS BRINGS A RIGHT RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD AND NEW LIFE FOR EVERYONE. BECAUSE ONE PERSON DISOBEYED GOD, MANY BECAME SINNERS. BUT BECAUSE ONE OTHER PERSON OBEYED GOD,
MANY WILL BE MADE RIGHTEOUS.
AND GOD’S LAW WAS GIVEN SO THAT ALL PEOPLE COULD SEE HOW SINFUL THEY WERE. BUT AS PEOPLE SINNED MORE AND MORE, GOD’S WONDERFUL GRACE BECAME MORE ABUNDANT. SO JUST AS SIN RULED OVER ALL PEOPLE AND BROUGHT THEM TO DEATH, NOW GOD’S WONDERFUL GRACE RULES INSTEAD, GIVING US RIGHT STANDING WITH GOD AND RESULTING IN ETERNAL LIFE THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD.
ROMANS 5:1-21
2
I DO BELIEVE WHAT THEY HAVE HEARD!
TO ME HAS THE ARM OF THE LORD BEEN REVEALED!
MY LORD JESUS-YESHUA,
GREW UP LIKE A SAPLING BEFORE HIM,
LIKE A SHOOT FROM THE PARCHED EARTH;
THERE WAS IN HIM NO STATELY BEARING
TO MAKE PEOPLE LOOK AT HIM,
NOR APPEARANCE THAT WOULD ATTRACT US TO HIM.
HE WAS SPURNED AND AVOIDED BY MEN,
A MAN OF SUFFERING, ACCUSTOMED TO INFIRMITY,
ONE OF THOSE FROM WHOM MEN HIDE THEIR FACES,
SPURNED, AND THEY HELD HIM IN NO ESTEEM.
YET IT WAS MY INFIRMITIES THAT HE BORE,
MY SUFFERINGS THAT HE ENDURED.
WHILE THEY THOUGHT OF HIM AS STRICKEN,
AS ONE SMITTEN BY GOD AND AFFLICTED.
BUT MY LORD JESUS WAS PIERCED FOR MY OFFENSES,
CRUSHED FOR MY SINS,
UPON HIM WAS THE CHASTISEMENT
THAT MAKES ME WHOLE,
BY HIS STRIPES I AM HEALED.
I HAD GONE ASTRAY LIKE A SHEEP,
FOLLOWING MY OWN WAY;
BUT THE LORD LAID UPON HIM MY GUILT.
THOUGH HE WAS HARSHLY TREATED,
HE SUBMITTED AND OPENED NOT HIS MOUTH;
LIKE A LAMB LED TO THE SLAUGHTER
OR A SHEEP BEFORE THE SHEARERS,
YESHUA WAS SILENT AND OPENED NOT HIS MOUTH.
OPPRESSED AND CONDEMNED, HE WAS TAKEN AWAY,
AND WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT ANY MORE OF HIS DESTINY?
WHEN MY LORD JESUS WAS CUT OFF FROM THE LAND
OF THE LIVING, AND SMITTEN FOR MY SIN,
A GRAVE WAS ASSIGNED HIM AMONG THE WICKED!
A BURIAL PLACE WITH EVILDOERS,
THOUGH HE HAD DONE NO WRONG
NOR SPOKEN ANY FALSEHOOD.
BUT THE LORD WAS PLEASED TO CRUSH HIM IN INFIRMITY.
IN GIVING HIS LIFE AS AN OFFERING FOR SIN,
MY LORD JESUS, SAW HIS DESCENDANTS,
YESHUA, SAW ME IN A LONG LIFE,
AND THE WILL OF THE LORD HAS BEEN
ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH HIM.
BECAUSE OF HIS AFFLICTION
YESHUA, HAS SEEN THE LIGHT IN FULLNESS OF DAYS;
THROUGH HIS SUFFERING,
JESUS, THE SERVANT OF THE LORD,
HAS JUSTIFIED ME.
AND MY GUILT HE BORE.
THEREFORE THE LORD HAS GIVEN YESHUA
HIS PORTION AMONG THE GREAT,
AND HE HAS DIVIDED THE SPOILS WITH THE MIGHTY,
BECAUSE HE SURRENDERED HIMSELF TO DEATH
AND WAS COUNTED AMONG THE WICKED,
AND HE TOOK AWAY MY SIN,
AND WIN PARDON FOR MY OFFENSES.
BECAUSE OF THIS, GOD GREATLY EXALTED HIM
AND BESTOWED ON HIM THE NAME
THAT IS ABOVE EVERY NAME,
THAT AT THE NAME OF JESUS-YESHUA-
YADVEH VADVEH-THE WORD OF GOD
EVERY KNEE SHOULD BEND,
OF THOSE IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH
AND under THE EARTH,
AND EVERY TONGUE CONFESS THAT
JESUS CHRIST-YESHUA HAMASHIACH-
YADVEH VADVEH-THE WORD OF GOD IS LORD,
AND THAT I AM GOD=I AM LOVE,
SON AND DAUGHTER OF THE MOST HIGH GOD,
TO THE GLORY OF GOD THE FATHER.
ISAIAH 53, PHILIPPIANS 2:9-11
THUS LET IT BE KNOWN TO ALL THAT THE LORD SAVES
NOT BY SWORD AND SPEAR AND WITH A SHIELD,
BUT BY HIS OWN PRECIOUS BLOOD!
3
WE WILL CONTINUE TO DECLARE:
“THIS IS THE LORD’S DOING
AND IT IS MARVELOUS IN OUR EYES;
PRAISE THE LORD FOR HE IS GOOD
HIS GRACE IS ABOUNDING
AND HIS MERCY ENDURES FOREVER
JESUS CHRIST IS LORD
IN GOD WE TRUST,
RESTING IN THE FINISH WORK
OF THE CROSS OF CHRIST
OUR LORD, OUR KING
AND OUR FAITHFUL HIGH PRIEST,
OUR REDEEMER!!!!!!!!!!”
CREATION REVEALS HIS GLORY;
ALL THINGS ARE WORSHIPPING GOD.
PSALM 66
BY THE WORD OF THE LORD THE HEAVENS WERE MADE,
AND BY THE BREATH OF HIS MOUTH ALL THEIR HOST.
PSALM 33:6
HE IS THE IMAGE OF THE INVISIBLE GOD,
THE FIRSTBORN OF ALL CREATION.
COLOSSIANS 1:15
FOR HIS INVISIBLE ATTRIBUTES, NAMELY, HIS ETERNAL POWER AND DIVINE NATURE, HAVE BEEN CLEARLY PERCEIVED, EVER SINCE THE CREATION OF THE WORLD, IN THE THING THAT HAVE BEEN MADE.
SO they ARE WITHOUT EXCUSE.
ROMANS 1:20
THE HEAVENS ARE TELLING OF THE GLORY OF GOD, AND THEIR EXPANSE IS DECLARING THE WORK OF HIS HANDS.
PSALM 19:1
4
ASCRIBE TO THE LORD, YOU HEAVENLY BEINGS,
ASCRIBE TO THE LORD GLORY AND STRENGTH.
ASCRIBE TO THE LORD THE GLORY DUE HIS NAME;
WORSHIP THE LORD IN THE SPLENDOR OF HIS HOLINESS.
PSALM 29:1-2
THE VOICE OF THE LORD IS UPON THE WATERS;
THE GOD OF GLORY THUNDERS,
THE LORD IS HEARD OVER MANY WATERS.
THE VOICE OF THE LORD IS POWERFUL,
THE VOICE OF THE LORD IS MAJESTIC.
PSALM 29:3-4
THE VOICE OF THE LORD BREAKS THE CEDARS;
YES, THE LORD BREAKS IN PIECES THE CEDARS OF LEBANON.
HE MAKES LEBANON SKIP LIKE A CALF,
AND SIRION LIKE A YOUNG WILD OX.
THE VOICE OF THE LORD STRIKES WITH FLASHES OF LIGHTNING.
PSALM 29:5-6
THE VOICE OF THE LORD SHAKES THE DESERT;
THE LORD SHAKES THE DESERT OF KADESH.
THE VOICE OF THE LORD TWISTS THE OAKS
AND STRIPS THE FORESTS BARE.
AND IN HIS TEMPLE ALL CRY, “GLORY!”
PSALM 29:7-9
THE LORD SITS ENTHRONED OVER THE FLOOD;
THE LORD IS ENTHRONED AS KING FOREVER.
THE LORD GIVES STRENGTH TO HIS PEOPLE;
THE LORD BLESSES HIS PEOPLE WITH PEACE.
PSALM 29:10-11
5
IN THESE LAST DAYS GOD HAS SPOKEN TO US IN HIS SON,
WHOM HE APPOINTED HEIR OF ALL THINGS,
THROUGH WHOM ALSO HE MADE THE WORLD.
HEBREWS 1:2
BLESS THE LORD, O MY SOUL!
O LORD MY GOD, YOU ARE VERY GREAT;
YOU ARE CLOTHED WITH SPLENDOR AND MAJESTY, COVERING YOURSELF WITH LIGHT AS WITH A CLOAK, STRETCHING OUT HEAVEN LIKE A CURTAIN. HE LAYS THE BEAMS OF HIS UPPER CHAMBERS IN THE WATERS; HE MAKES THE CLOUDS HIS CHARIOT; HE WALKS UPON THE WINGS OF THE WIND; THE MAKES THE WINDS HIS MESSENGERS, FLAMING FIRE HIS MINISTERS.
PSALM 104:1-4
YET FOR US THERE IS ONE GOD, THE FATHER, FROM WHOM ARE ALL THINGS AND FOR WHOM WE EXIST, AND ONE LORD, JESUS CHRIST, THROUGH WHOM ARE ALL THINGS AND THROUGH WHOM WE EXIST.
1 CORINTHIANS 8:6
FOR BY HIM ALL THINGS WERE CREATED, IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH, VISIBLE AND INVISIBLE, WHETHER THONES OR DOMINIONS OR RULER OR AUTHORITIES–ALL THINGS WERE CREATED THROUGH HIM AND FOR HIM. AND HE IS BEFORE ALL THINGS, AND IN HIM ALL THINGS HOLD TOGETHER. AND HE IS THE HEAD OF THE BODY, THE CHURCH.
HE IS THE BEGINNING, THE FIRSTBORN FROM THE DEAD, THAT IN EVERYTHING HE MIGHT BE PREEMINENT.
COLOSSIANS 1:16-18
6
IN THE BEGINNING, GOD CREATED THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH.
THE EARTH WAS WITHOUT FORM AND VOID, AND DARKNESS WAS OVER THE FACE OF THE DEEP, AND THE SPIRIT OF GOD WAS HOVERING OVER THE FACE OF THE WATERS.
GENESIS 1:1-2
IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE WORD, AND THE WORD WAS WITH GOD, AND THE WORD WAS LOVE. HE WAS WITH LOVE IN THE BEGINNING. THROUGH HIM ALL THINGS WERE MADE; WITHOUT HIM NOTHING WAS MADE THAT HAS BEEN MADE.
JOHN 1:1-3
BUT GOD SHOWS HIS LOVE FOR US IN THAT WHILE WE WERE STILL SINNERS, CHRIST DIED FOR US.
ROMANS 5:8
BUT GOD, BEING RICH IN MERCY, BECAUSE OF THE FREAT LOVE WITH WHICH HE LOVED US, EVEN WHEN WE WERE DEAD IN OUR TRESPASSES, MADE US ALIVE TOGETHER WITH CHRIST–BY GRACE I HAVE BEEN SAVED.
EPHESIANS 2:4-5
7
IN THIS THE LOVE OF GOD WAS MADE MANIFEST AMONG US, THAT GOD SENT HIS ONLY SON INTO THE WORLD, SO THAT WE MIGHT LIVE THROUGH HIM. IN THIS IS LOVE, NOT THAT WE HAVE LOVED GOD BUT THAT HE LOVED US AND SENT HIS SON TO BE THE PROPITIATION FOR OUR SINS, BELOVED IF GOD SO LOVED US, WE ALSO OUGHT TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
1 JOHN 4:9-11
ALL THE EARTH WORSHIPS YOU AND SINGS PRAISES TO YOU, THEY SING PRAISES TO YOUR NAME.
PSALM 66:4
THE HEAVENS DECLARE THE GLORY OF GOD,
AND THE SKY ABOVE PROCLAIMS HIS HANDWORK.
PSALM 19:1
AND I HEARD EVERY CREATURE IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH AND UNDER THE EARTH AND IN THE SEA, AND ALL THAT IS IN THEM, SAYING, “TO HIM WHO SITS ON THE THRONE AND TO THE LAMB BE BLESSING AND HONOR AND GLORY AND MIGHT FOREVER AND EVER!”
REVELATION 5:13
WORTHY ARE YOU, OUR LORD AND GOD, TO RECEIVE GLORY AND HONOR AND POWER, FOR YOU CREATED ALL THINGS, AND BY YOUR WILL THEY EXISTED AND WERE CREATED.
REVELATION 4:11
8*
“YOU ARE THE LORD, YOU ALONE. YOU HAVE MADE HEAVEN, THE HEAVEN OF HEAVENS, WITH ALL THEIR HOST, THE EARTH AND ALL THAT IS ON IT, THE SEAS AND ALL THAT IS IN THEM, AND YOU PRESERVE ALL OF THEM; AND THE HOST OF HEAVEN WORSHIPS YOU.”
NEHEMIAH 9:6
26
“AND GOD SAW THAT THE LIGHT WAS GOOD. AND GOD SEPARATED THE LIGHT FROM THE DARKNESS. GOD CALLED THE LGJHT DAY, AND THE DARKNESS HE CALLED NIGHT. AND THERE WAS EVENING AND THERE WAS MORNING, THE FIRST DAY.”
GENESIS 1:4-5
27
” NO ONE CAN COME TO ME UNLESS THE FATHER WHO SENT ME DRAWS HIM. AND I WILL RAISE HIM UP ON THE LAST DAY.”
JOHN 6:44
28
“OUR REDEEMER–THE LORD OF HOSTS IS HIS NAME–IS THE HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL.
ISAIAH 47:4
29
“BUT THAT PROPHET OR THAT DREAMER OF DREAMS SHALL BE PUT TO DEATH, BECAUSE HE HAS TAUGHT REBELLION AGAINST THE LORD YOUR GOD, WHO BROUGHT YOU OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT AND REDEEMED YOU OUT OF THE HOUSE OF SLAVERY, TO MAKE YOU LIVE THE WAY IN WHICH THE LORD YOUR GOD COMMANDED YOU TO WALK. SO YOU SHALL PURGE the evil FROM YOUR MIDST.”
DEUTERONOMY 13:5
30
“AND I PRAYED TO THE LORD, “O LORD GOD, DO NOT DESTROY YOUR PEOPLE AND YOUR HERITAGE, WHOM YOU HAVE REDEEMED THROUGH YOUR GREATNESS, WHOM YOU HAVE BROUGHT OUT OF EGYPT WITH A MIGHTY HAND.”
31
“FOR I KNOW THAT MY REDEEMER LIVES,
AND AT THE LAST HE WILL STAND UPON THE EARTH.”
JOB 19:25
32
“IN HIM WE HAVE REDEMPTION THROUGH HIS BLOOD,
THE FORGIVENESS OF OUR TRESPASSES,
ACCORDING TO THE RICHES OF HIS GRACE.”
EPHESIANS 1:7
33
“BUT NOW ASK THE BEASTS, AND LET THEM TEACH YOU,
AND THE BIRDS OF THE HEAVENS, AND LET THEM TELL YOU.
OR SPEAK TO THE EARTH, AND LET IT TEACH YOU;
AND LET THE FISH OF THE SEA DECLARE TO YOU.
WHO AMONG ALL THESE DOES NOT KNOW THAT THE HAND OF THE LORD HAS DONE THIS? IN HIS HAND IS THE LIFE OF EVERY CREATURE AND THE BREATH OF ALL MANKIND.”
JOB 12:7-10
34
“FOR SINCE THE CREATION OF THE WORLD HIS INVISIBLE ATTRIBUTES, HIS ETERNAL POWER AND DIVINE NATURE, HAVE BEEN CLEARY SEEN, BEING UNDERSTOOD THROUGH WHAT HAS BEEN MADE, SO THAT THEY ARE WITHOUT EXCUSE.”
ROMANS 1:20
35
“HA LORD GOD! BEHOLD, YOU HAVE MADE THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH BY YOUR GREAT POWER AND BY YOUR OUTSTRETCHED ARM!
NOTHING IS TOO DIFFICULT FOR YOU.”
JEREMIAH 32:17
36
MAKE A JOYFUL SHOUT TO THE LORD, ALL YOU LANDS!
SERVE THE LORD WITH GLADNESS;
COME BEFORE HIS PRESENCE WIGH SINGING.
KNOW THAT THE LORD, HE IS GOD;
IT IS HE WHO MADE US, AND NOT OURSELVES;
WE ARE HIS PEOPLE AND THE SHEEP OF HIS PASTURE;
ENTER INTO HIS GATES WITH THANKSGIVING,
AND INTO HIS COURTS WITH PRAISE.
BE THANKFUL TO HIM, AND BLESS HIS NAME.
FOR THE LORD IS GOOD;
HIS MERCY IS EVERLASTING,
AND HIS TRUTH ENDURES TO ALL GENERATIONS.
PSALM 100
37
“WHO IS THIS THAT QUESTIONS MY WISDOM
WITH SUCH IGNORANT WORDS?
BRACE YOURSELF LIKE A MAN,
BECAUSE I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS FOR YOU,
AND YOU MUST ANSWER THEM.
“WHERE WERE YOU WHEN I LAID THE FOUNDATIONS THE EARTH?
TELL ME, SINCE YOU KNOW SO MUCH.
WHO DETERMINED ITS DIMENSIONS
AND STRETCHED OUT THE SURVEYING LINE?
WHAT SUPPORTS ITS FOUNDATIONS,
AND WHO LAID ITS CORNERSTONE
AS THE MORNING STARS SANG TOGETHER
AND ALL THE ANGELS SHOUTED FOR JOY?
“WHO KEPT THE SEA INSIDE ITS BOUNDARIES
AS IT BURST FROM THE WOMB,
AND AS I CLOTHED IT WITH CLOUDS
AND WRAPPED IT IN THICK DARKNESS?
FOR I LOCKED IT BEHIND BARRED GATES,
LIMITING ITS SHORES.
I SAID, ‘THIS FAR AND NO FARTHER WILL YOU COME.
HERE YOUR PROUD WAVES MUST STOP!’
“AND HAVE YOU EVER COMMANDED THE MORNING TO APPEAR
AND CAUSED THE DAWN TO RISE IN THE EAST?
HAVE YOU MADE DAYLIGHT SPREAD TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH,
TO BRING AN END TO THE NIGHT’S WICKEDMNESS?
AS THE LIGHT APPROACHES,
THE EARTH TAKES SHAPE LIKE CLAY PRESSED BENEATH A SEAL;
IT IS ROBED IN BRILLIANT COLORS.
THE LIGHT DISTURBS THE WICKED
AND STOPS THE ARM THAT IS RAISED IN VIOLENCE.
“HAVE YOU EXPLORED THE SPRINGS FROM WHICH THE SEAS COME?
HAVE YOU EXPLORED THEIR DEPTHS?
DO YOU KNOW WHERE THE GATES OF DEATH ARE LOCATED?
HAVE YOU SEEN THE GATES OF UTTER GLOOM?
DO YOU REALIZE THE EXTENT OF THE EARTH?
TELL ME ABOUT IT IF YOU KNOW!
“WHERE DOES LIGHT COME FROM,
AND WHERE DOES DARKNESS GO?
CAN YOU TAKE EACH TO ITS HOME?
DO YOU KNOW HOW TO GET THERE?
BUT OF COURSE YOU KNOW ALL THIS!
FOR YOU WERE BORN BEFORE IT WAS ALL CREATED,
AND YOU ARE SO VERY EXPERIENCED!
“HAVE YOU VISITED THE STOREHOUSES OF THE SNOW
OR SEEN THE STOREHOUSES OF HAIL?
(I HAVE RESERVED THEM AS WEAPONS FOR THE TIME OF TROUBLE,
FOR THE DAY OF BATTLE AND WAR.)
WHERE IS THE PATH TO THE SOURCE OF LIGHT?
WHERE IS THE HOME OF THE EAST WIND?
“WHO CREATED A CHANNEL FOR THE TORRENTS OF RAIN?
WHO LAID OUT THE PATH FOR THE LIGHTNING?
WHO MAKES THE RAIN FALL ON BARREN LAND,
IN A DESERT WHERE NO ONE LIVES?
WHO SENDS RAIN TO SATISFY THE PARCHED GROUND
AND MAKE THE TENDER GRASS SPRING UP?
“DOES THE RAIN HAVE A FATHER?
WHO GIVES BIRTH TO THE DEW?
WHO IS THE MOTHER OF THE ICE?
WHO GIVES BIRTH TO THE FROST FROM THE HEAVENS?
FOR THE WATER TURNS TO ICE AS HARD AS ROCK,
AND THE SURFACE OF THE WATER FREEZES.
“CAN YOU DIRECT THE MOVEMENT OF THE STARS–
BINDING THE CLUSTER OF THE PLEIADES
OR LOOSENING THE CORDS OF ORION?
CAN YOU DIRECT THE COSTELLATIONS THROUGH THE SEASONS
OR GUIDE THE BEAR WITH HER CUBS ACROSS THE HEAVENS?
DO YOU KNOW THE LAWS OF THE UNIVERSE?
CAN YOU USE THEM TO REGULATE THE EARTH?
“CAN YOU SOUT TO THE CLOUDS
AND MAKE IT RAIN?
CAN YOU MAKE LIGHTNING APPEAR
AND CAUSE IT TO STRIKE AS YOU DIRECT?
WHO GIVES INTUITION TO THE HEART
AND INSTINCT TO THE MIND?
WHO IS WISE ENOUGH TO COUNT ALL THE CLOUDS?
WHO CAN TILT THE WATER JARS OF HEAVEN
WHEN THE PARCHED GROUND IS DRY
AND THE SOIL HAS HARDENED INTO CLODS?
“CAN YOU STALK PREY FOR A LIONESS
AND SATISFY THE YOUNG LIONS’ APPETITES
AS THEY LIE IN THEIR DENS
OR CROUCH INT THICKET?
WHO PROVIDES FOOD FOR THE RAVENS
WHEN THEIR YOUNG CRY OUT TO GOD
AND WANDER ABOUT IN HUNDER?
JOB 38:2-41
30
“DO YOU KNOW WHEN THE WILD GOATS GIVE BIRTH?
HAVE YOU WATCHED AS DEER ARE BORN IN THE WILD?
DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY MONTHS THEY CARRY THEIR YOUNG?
ARE YOU AWARE OF THE TIME OF THEIR DELIVERY?
THEY CROUCH DOWN TO GIVE BIRTH TO THEIR YOUNG
AND DELIVER THEIR OFFSPRING.
THEIR YOUNG GROW UP IN THE OPEN FIELD,
THEN LEAVE HOME AND NEVER RETURN.
“WHO GIVES THE WILD DONKEY ITS FREEDOM?
WHO UNTIED ITS ROPES?
I HAVE PLACED IT IN THE WILDERNESS;
ITS HOME IS THE WASTELAND.
IT HATES THE NOISE OF THE CITY
AND HAS NO DRIVER TO SHOUT AT IT.
THE MOUNTAINS ARE ITS PASTURELAND,
WHERE IT SEARCHES FOR EVERY BLADE OF GRASS.
“WILL THE WILD OX CONSENT TO BEING TAMED?
WILL IT SPEND THE NIGHT IN YOUR STALL?
CAN YOU HITCH A WILD OX TO A PLOW?
WILL IT PLOW A FIELD FOR YOU?
GIVEN ITS STRENGTH, CAN YOU TRUST IT?
CAN YOU LEAVE AND TRUST THE OX TO DO YOUR WORK?
CAN YOU RELY ON IT TO BRING HOME YOUR GRAIN
AND DELIVER IT TO YOUR THRESHING FLOOR?
“THE OSTRICH FLAPS HER WINGS GRANDLY,
BUT THEY ARE NO MATCH FOR THE FEATHERS FOTHE STORK.
SHE LAYS HER EGGS ON TOP OF THE EARTH,
LETTING THEM BE WARMED IN THE DUST.
SHE DOESN’T WORRY THAT A FOOT MIGHT CRUSH THEM
OR A WILD ANIMAL MIGHT DESTROY THEM.
SHE IS HARSH TOWARD HER YOUNG,
AS IF THEY WERE NOT HER OWN.
SHE DOESN’T CARE IF THEY DIE.
FOR GOD HAS DEPRIVED HER OF WISDOM.
HE HAS GIVEN HER NO UNDERSTANDING.
BUT WHENEVER SHE JUMPS UP TO RUN,
SHE PASSES THE SWIFTEST HORSE WITH ITS RIDER.
“HAVE YOUR GIVEN THE HORSE ITS STRENGTH
OR CLOTHED ITS NECK WITH A FLOWING MANE?
DID YOU GIVE IT THE ABILITY TO LEAP LIKE A LOCUST?
ITS MAJESTIC SNORTING IS TERRIFYING!
ITS PAWA THE EARTH AND REJOICES IN ITS STRENGTH
WHEN IT CHARGES OUT TO BATTLE.
IT LAUGHS AT FEAR AND IS UNAFRAID.
IT DOES NOT RUN FROM THE SWORD.
THE ARROWS RATTLE AGAINST IT,
AND THE SPEAR AND JAVELIN FLASH.
IT PAWS THE GROUND FIERCELY
AND RUSHES FORWARD INTO BATTLE WHEN THE RAM’S HORN BLOWS.
IT SNORTS AT THE SOUND OF THE HORN.
IT SENSES THE BATTLE IN THE DISTANCE.
IT QUIVERS AT THE CAPTAIN’S COMMANDS AND THE NOISE OF BATTLE.
“IS IT YOUR WISDOM THAT MAKES THE HAWK SOAR
AND SPREAD IT WINGS TOWARD THE SOUTH?
IS IT AT YOUR COMMAND THAT THE EAGLE RISES
TO THE HEIGHTS TO MAKE ITS NEST?
IT LIVES ON THE CLIFFS,
MAKING ITS HOME ON A DISTANT, ROCKY CRAG.
FROM THERE IT HUNTS ITS PREY,
KEEPING WATCH WITH PIERCING EYES.
ITS YOUNG GULP DOWN BLOOD.
WHERE THERE’S A CARCASS, THERE YOU’LL FIND IT.”
JOB 39:1-30
“DO YOU STILL WANT TO ARGUE WITH THE ALMIGHTY?
YOU ARE GOD’S CRITIC, BUT DO YOU HAVE THE ANSWERS?”
JOB 40:2
31
BRACE YOURSELF LIKE A MAN,
BECAUSE I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS FOR YOU,
AND YOU MUST ANSWER THEM.
“WILL YOU DISCREDIT MY JUSTICE
AND CONDEMN ME JUST TO PROVE YOU ARE RIGHT?
ARE YOU AS STRONG AS GOD?
CAN YOU THUNDER WITH A VOICE LIKE HIS?
ALL RIGHT, PUT ON YOUR GLORY AND SPLENDOR,
YOUR HONOR AND MAJESTY.
GIVE VENT TO YOUR ANGER.
LET IT OVERFLOW AGAINST THE PROUD.
HUMILIATE THE PROUD WITH A GLANCE;
WALK ON THE WICKED WHERE THEY STAND.
BURY THEM IN THE DUST.
IMPRISON THEM IN THE WORLD OF THE DEAD.
THEN EVEN I WOULD PRAISE YOU,
FOR YOUR OWN STRENGTH WOULD SAVE YOU.
“TAKE A LOOK AT BEHEMOTH,
WHICH I MADE, JUST AS I MADE YOU.
IT EATS GRASS LIKE AN OX.
SEE ITS POWERFUL LOINS
AND THE MUSCLES OF ITS BELLY.
ITS TAIL IS AS STRONG AS A CEDAR.
THE SINEWS OF ITS THIGHS ARE KNIT TIGHTLY TOGETHER.
ITS BONES ARE TUBES OF BRONZE.
ITS LIMBS ARE BARS OF IRON.
IT IS A PRIME EXAMPLE OF GOD’S HANDIWORK,
AND ONLY ITS CREATOR CAN THREATEN IT.
THE MOUNTAINS OFFER IT THEIR BEST FOOD,
WHERE ALL THE WILD ANIMALS PLAY.
IT LIES UNDER THE LOTUS PLANTS,
HIDDEN BY THE REEDS IN THE MARSH.
THE LOTUS PLANTS GIVE IT SHADE
AMONG THE WILLOWS BESIDE THE STREAM.
IT IS NOT DISTURBED BY THE RAGING RIVER,
NOT CONCERNED WHEN THE SWELLING JORDAN RUSHES AROUND IT.
NO ONE CAN CATCH IF OFF GUARD
OR PUT A RING IN ITS NOSE AND LEAD IT AWAY.
JOB 41:7-24
68
THE HEAVENS ARE TELLING OF THE GLORY OF GOD;
AND THEIR EXPANSE IS DECLARING THE WORK OF HIS HANDS.
DAY TO DAY POURS FORTH SPEECH,
AND NIGHT TO NIGHT REVEALS KNOWLEDGE.
PSALM 19:1-2
JESUS IS LORD! 