Today's Favorite Verse: Job 24:24

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 24:24

"They are exalted for a little while, but are gone and brought low; they are taken out of the way as all other, and cut off as the tops of the ears of corn."

Chapter header: "Murderers, adulterers, those who oppress the poor, and wicked people in general often go unpunished for a little while."

These are the footnotes:

Little while: "For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.

But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace."

(Psalms 37:10-11)

Low: "And when these things have passed away a speedy destruction cometh unto my people; for, notwithstanding the pains of my soul, I have seen it; wherefore, I know that it shall come to pass; and they sell themselves for naught; for, for the reward of their pride and their foolishness they shall reap destruction; for because they yield unto the devil and choose works of darkness rather than light, therefore they must go down to hell."

(2 Nephi 26:10)

Tops: HEB heads of grains

Which made me think of the sifting of the wheat and tares.

"Behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, ye must watch and pray always lest ye enter into temptation; for Satan desireth to have you, that he may sift you as wheat."

(3 Nephi 18:18)

"Therefore, I must gather together my people, according to the parable of the wheat and the tares, that the wheat may be secured in the garners to possess eternal life, and be crowned with celestial glory, when I shall come in the kingdom of my Father to reward every man according as his work shall be;

While the tares shall be bound in bundles, and their bands made strong, that they may be burned with unquenchable fire."

(Doctrine and Covenants 101:65-66)

"Therefore, let the wheat and the tares grow together until the harvest is fully ripe; then ye shall first gather out the wheat from among the tares, and after the gathering of the wheat, behold and lo, the tares are bound in bundles, and the field remaineth to be burned."

(Doctrine and Covenants 86:7)

As I pondered on these verses I thought about how the wheat will be gathered first, and how important it was to stay within the main stream of the church. Then I realized I was thinking majority and that may not even be quit right. What if the main stream or majority went astray? Then I pictured that stream being full of living water and standing in the full course of it. It wouldn't be determined by numbers it would be those that #HearHim and remain true.

Day 2619

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 23:10

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 23:10

"But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold."

I have to say there is some peace in knowing that the trials I go through are what's needed to refine me. I see the purpose in being made to enduring to the end. For that endurance can only come by turning to and relying on the Lord. I have also learned that patience is a godly attribute and to be embraced.

"Today other biographies of faith are being written—Saints who, like Job, suffer physical pain, emotional sorrow, and even disloyalty from friends—yet remain faithful; Saints who, like Jacob, see sons and daughters not so valiant as they should be, but who bless them for their potential; Saints who, like Paul, endure great ridicule and endure to the end; Saints who, like Nephi, must separate themselves from family because of their commitment to the gospel. There are those who know pain and sorrow because of loss of loved ones; who know spiritual sorrow because children go astray; who experience loss of health, financial reverses, and emotional distress, and yet, like Job, resolve, “When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold”  

(Howard W. Hunter, "God Will Have a Tried People". Apr 1980, General Conference) "The refiner's fire is real, and qualities of character and righteousness that are forged in the furnace of affliction perfect and purify us and prepare us to meet God." (Elder Quentin L. Cook, "The Songs They Could Not Sing", Oct 11, General Conference )

Day 2618

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 22:15-16

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 22:15-16

"Hast thou marked the old way which wicked men have trodden?

Which were cut down out of time, whose foundation was overflown with a flood:"

One of my personal quests in reading Job this time is to try and determine the time frame that he lived. I have already determine that it was before Moses and the parting of the Red Sea because he failed to mention that in chapter 9. Now I feel these scriptures help me determine he lived after Noah and the flood.

Day 2617

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 21:7, 9, 13-14, 19

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 21:7, 9, 13-14, 19

"Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power?

Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them.

They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave.

Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.

God layeth up his iniquity for his children: he rewardeth him, and he shall know it.

Job acknowledges the wicked sometimes prosper in this life. It isn't until final judgment that they face God's wrath and receive their reward. I also found it interesting how this chapter also acknowledges there is a chance to know God after death and before resurrection and judgment. The gospel will be preached to them on the other side, but there are those that will still reject it.

Day 2616

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 20:12-13

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 20:12-13

"Though wickedness be sweet in his mouth, though he hide it under his tongue;

Though he spare it, and forsake it not; but keep it still within his mouth:"

Job's friend Zophar implies this is Job's problem, but it's not. Though what he says can be apply to the wicked. Sin can become sweet to them even though they confess it not. It can also be held in the mouth out of view to be secretly savored and enjoyed.

“Oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive”. (Sir Walter Scott, "Marmion")

Day 2615

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 19:25-26

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 19:25-26

"For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:

And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:"

I think these are some of my favorite verses of Job. With having lost everything, and even his friends against him, and feeling God is against him, Job has not lost his testimony. His faith in the redeemer is strong and true. What he built over the years to have such faith, is now the rock he is leaning on. This type of faith and testimony can weather the storms of life. This type of faith gives hope when things are their darkest. He has an eternal preceptive.

Day 2614

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 18:10

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 18:10

"The snare is laid for him in the ground, and a trap for him in the way."

When I see what is going on in the world there seems like there is no place of safety. That the world has gone mad. You honestly don't know what snare you maybe walking into. More than anytime in the history of the world does man need to walk with God. To have the holy spirit as a constant companion, and to listen to the prompting given. It may not be for only your spiritual welfare but your physical one too. If you did not walk with God you could be paralyzed with fear.

"And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.

For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.

Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man."

(Luke 21:34-36)

"I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye."

(Psalm 32:8)

Day 2613

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 17:9

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 17:9

"The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger."

I thought of this story given in general conference and the mention of a toy punching bag and how it kept bouncing back up, because it was standing up on the inside and was all in. Before that story is a little explanation of this verse. As we grow in the gospel and become all in, we will become stronger and stronger for what lays ahead.

"As we continually repent and rely upon the Lord, we gain strength as we come full circle in possessing the humility and faith of a little child, enriched with the wisdom borne from a life of experience. Job proclaimed, “The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger.” It was Tennyson who wrote, “My strength is as the strength of ten, because my heart is pure.” The Lord has counseled, “Stand ye in holy places, and be not moved.”

Our son Justin passed away at age 19 after fighting a lifelong disease. In a sacrament meeting talk he gave not long before he left us, he shared a story that must have resonated with him about a father and his young son who went into a toy store where there was an inflatable punching bag in the shape of a man. The boy punched the inflatable man, who tipped over and immediately bounced back after every punch. The father asked his young son why the man kept bouncing back up. The boy thought for a minute and then said, “I don’t know. I guess it’s because he’s standing up on the inside.” In order to be “all in,” we need to “stand up inside,” “come what may.” 

We stand up inside when we wait patiently upon the Lord to remove or give us strength to endure our thorns in the flesh. Such thorns may be disease, disability, mental illness, death of a loved one, and so many other issues.

We stand up inside when we lift up the hands that hang down. We stand up inside when we defend the truth against a wicked and secular world that is becoming increasingly more uncomfortable with light, calling evil good and good evil and “condemning the righteous because of their righteousness.”

Standing up inside in spite of difficulties is possible because of a clear conscience, the strengthening and comforting assurance from the Holy Ghost, and an eternal perspective which surpasses mortal understanding. In our premortal life we shouted for joy at the opportunity to experience mortality. We were “all in” as we excitedly made the decision to be valiant defenders of our Heavenly Father’s plan. It is time to stand up and defend His plan again!"

(Elder Gary B. Sabin, "Stand Up Inside and Be All In", Apr 2017 General Conference)

Day 2612

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 16:2, 5

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 16:2, 5

"I have heard many such things: miserable comforters are ye all.

But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should assuage your grief."

The contrast between Job and his friends is striking. On one hand his friends are miserable comforters, on the other hand Job would strengthen others with his words. Assuage is to lessen the intensity of their distress and make better. I know at times I have been a miserable comforter. Such behavior brings no comfort to your own soul. It is amazing how daily scripture reading and prayer can tame that wild beast. It is something that has to be nurtured and desired and sought after.

"But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil."

(Luke 6:35)

"Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,"

(1 Corinthians 13:4)

"And see that ye have faith, hope, and charity, and then ye will always abound in good works."

(Alma 7:24)

"And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness."

(Colossians 3:14)

"But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him."

(Moroni 7:47)

Day 2611

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 15:8-9

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 15:8-9

"Hast thou heard the secret of God? and dost thou restrain wisdom to thyself?

What knowest thou, that we know not? what understandest thou, which is not in us?"

How do you share faith with someone that has no faith? How do you tell them to trust the Lord when they neither know how to trust or who the Lord is? I reflected on the parable of the ten virgins. There were five virgins with oil in their lamps and then to spare, yet they could not share it. There are somethings you cannot share because it is not understood until you seek for it yourself. If there in nothing inside, then it will seem a mystery.

"And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves."

(Matthew 25:8-9)

Day 2610

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 14:17

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 14:17

"My transgression is sealed up in a bag, and thou sewest up mine iniquity."

I thought of repentance and how our sins are remembered no more. I had not thought of them sealed up in a bag but I can understand why Job said that. I am grateful for this gift of repentance and the Savior's atonement that makes this possible. I am glad my sins are sealed up and remembered no more. The world may preach no forgiveness and haunt you with your past, but the Lord will not do that, if you have truly repented of them. This is true mercy and grace.

"And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more."

(Jeremiah 31:34"

"Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more."

(Doctrine and Covenants 58:42)

Day 2609

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 13:5, 8, 13

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 13:5, 8, 13

"O that ye would altogether hold your peace! and it should be your wisdom.

Will ye accept his person? will ye contend for God?

Hold your peace, let me alone, that I may speak, and let come on me what will."

Job is very bold as he testifies of his confidence in the Lord. I love how he tells his friends to hold their peace, and not contend, and in particular with God. That is advice we heard in general conference. This is the best advise and can keep us out of trouble.

"How does a peacemaker calm and cool the fiery darts? Certainly not by shrinking before those who disparage us. Rather, we remain confident in our faith, sharing our beliefs with conviction but always void of anger or malice.

Peacemakers are not passive; they are persuasive in the Savior’s way.

There are times when being a peacemaker means that we resist the impulse to respond and instead, with dignity, remain quiet."

(Elder Neil L. Andersen, "Following Jesus: Being a Peacemaker", Apr 2022, General Conference)

Day 2608