Job 11–12: Ease & Calamity

Read the Bible in 2011 ◊ Week 6: Thursday “He who is at ease holds calamity in contempt, As prepared for those whose feet slip.” Job 12:5 Job summarizes the attitude of his friends: they are at ease and not beset with devastation, and so they look down on calamity as something that cannot touch […]

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Judges 1–6: Gideon & Battles

Read the Bible in 2011 ◊ Week 6: Tuesday But the LORD said to him, “Peace! Do not be afraid. You are not going to die.” Judges 6:23 – In The God Who Is There, Francis Schaeffer issued a call to arms for my generation with this quote: “If I profess with the loudest voice […]

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Job 9–10: Despair & Hope

Read the Bible in 2011 ◊ Week 5: Thursday Today’s Bible reading is Job 9–10. These chapters contain Job’s rejoinder to Bildad. Rejoinder is the word used by Gleason Archer to describe Job’s speeches to his friends.1 One of Dr. Archer’s many degrees was in law, and it’s not surprising that he would use a […]

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Psalms 12–14: The Afflicted & The Psalms

Read the Bible in 2011 ◊ Week 5: Wednesday “Because of the devastation of the afflicted, because of the groaning of the needy, Now I will arise,” says the LORD; “I will set him in the safety for which he longs.” Psalm 12:5 Today’s Bible reading is Psalms 12–14. All three are psalms written by […]

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Job 7–8: Sovereign & Good

Read the Bible in 2011 ◊ Week 4: Thursday “Why have You set me as Your target, So that I am a burden to myself?” Job 7:20b In today’s Bible reading of Job 7–8, Job finishes his rejoinder to Eliphaz in chapter 7, and Bildad lectures Job in chapter 8. Chapter 7 opens with Job’s […]

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Psalms 9–11: Compassion & Strength

Read the Bible in 2011 ◊ Week 4: Wednesday “If the foundations are destroyed, What can the righteous do?” Psalm 11:3 Today’s Bible reading is Psalm 9–11, and these psalms echo the recurring themes of righteousness and wickedness, prayers of praise and cries for help, and affirmation of God’s character and care. What do these […]

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On Behalf of Scattered Sheep

When the lion comes and the bear attacks, Sheep tremble in fear and distress, With none to guard and with none to guide, They scatter and flee from known paths. And their cries resound, Shepherds… where are you? When ground gives way and crumbles beneath, Sheep stumble and fall, breaking limbs, With none to lift […]

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Job 5–6: Words & Wind

Read the Bible in 2011 ◊ Week 3: Thursday “You see a terror and are afraid.” Job 6:21b Last week I read Job’s lament of anguish in chapter 3 and began Eliphaz’ reply in chapter 4. Today’s Bible reading is Job 5–6. Eliphaz finishes his reply in chapter 5, and Job begins his rejoinder in […]

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Job 3–4: A Lament & A Lecture

Read the Bible in 2011 ◊ Week 2: Thursday Job 3 contains Job’s absolutely gut-wrenching lament.  Losses and suffering have piled upon him until his heart splits and sorrow and anguish flow out from him in words of despair.  This is a difficult chapter to read as Job finally opens his mouth to give voice […]

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