Into the Waste
The caravans turn aside from their course; they go up into the waste and perish. The caravans of Tema look, the travelers of Sheba hope. They are ashamed because they were confident; they come there and are disappointed.
Job 6:18-20
+
Into the Waste
The caravans of Job’s day traveled well known routes to bring their fairs from one trading post to the next. They knew where to look if a well had run dry. They could wonder off into the waste hoping to find a stream to quench their thirst. What a pitiful sight it would have been to arrive at the bank of a dry streambed with no hope of relief. This was what Job had hoped for. When his friends arrived, he expected to find a kind word and a sharing of grief. Yet they offered as much help as a dry creek bed in the desert. So often this is the case when we rely on help and strength from places other than God. We find nothing of benefit, nothing which can help take the pain away of relieve the suffering. More times than not what we find hurts us even more. It is as if we found the stream in the desert, but it was too salty. Our thirst would be exacerbated. When we drink from the devil’s bitter cup we are left dying in the waste. Yet there is another way. Christ Jesus gives us the cup of eternal life to drink from, “[W]hoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:14). In Christ we have the life saving Word which leads us out of the waste and into green pastures, to lay beside still waters.
“They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes”
(Revelation 7:16-17).
Job 6:18-20
+
Into the Waste
The caravans of Job’s day traveled well known routes to bring their fairs from one trading post to the next. They knew where to look if a well had run dry. They could wonder off into the waste hoping to find a stream to quench their thirst. What a pitiful sight it would have been to arrive at the bank of a dry streambed with no hope of relief. This was what Job had hoped for. When his friends arrived, he expected to find a kind word and a sharing of grief. Yet they offered as much help as a dry creek bed in the desert. So often this is the case when we rely on help and strength from places other than God. We find nothing of benefit, nothing which can help take the pain away of relieve the suffering. More times than not what we find hurts us even more. It is as if we found the stream in the desert, but it was too salty. Our thirst would be exacerbated. When we drink from the devil’s bitter cup we are left dying in the waste. Yet there is another way. Christ Jesus gives us the cup of eternal life to drink from, “[W]hoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:14). In Christ we have the life saving Word which leads us out of the waste and into green pastures, to lay beside still waters.
“They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes”
(Revelation 7:16-17).
Recent
Archive
2021
January
The Arm of GodSigns and PromisesThe Calling in Your HeartOur Active GodAmazing HelpThe Purpose of BaptismHave Courage to BelieveToo Soon ForgottenThe Unexpected ChangeSustained by TrustHe Who Bears All SinsA Wonderful VictoryWhen God SpeaksOur Faithful ShepherdThe Purpose of ScriptureOne Little WordThe Supreme ConsolationA Thorn in the FleshNever Doubt RedemptionThis Is the VictoryLet Your Faith Be FirmA Pure Dwelling PlaceBuilding an Eternal HouseGlorious PromisesNoble and Necessary ChastisementOur New MotivationGod Will Preserve His ChurchGod's Will, Christ's PurposeOur Savior DefinedFalse Saintliness
February
The True Center of SalvationThe Purpose of GovernmentWhat Is a Good Work?The Chief DoctrineA Simple ExplanationJoyful NewsHarmless NoiseIn God's HandsTreasure in Weak VesselsThe Pure, Clear WordWas It Better Before?Responsibility to OthersTrue EqualityA Broad InterpretationThe Flesh Is WeakWhen Pity Is WrongNo Sin AllowedTake the High RoadGod Is TrueSetting an ExampleThe Spirit Giveth LifeThe Christian LawBeware of False ShepherdsThe Lofty and the LowlyIn the Hour at HandLearning to CallWhen the Wicked SucceedTake up Your Cross
March
On Godly BehaviorThe Sheep of ChristThe Calm after the StormOn Becoming a ChristianEternal FoodConcerning Knowledge and PowerFight PowerfullyThe Yoke of ChristThe Obedient ChristThe Fulfillment of the LawDivine RighteousnessThe Gospel Is PublicTo Live as a ChristianThe Promise of GodlinessWhy Is Christ Punished?Blind Human NatureHave Faith Like ChildrenThe Spirit of TruthWaiting for GodTo Know GodThe Purpose of NeedWho Is an Apostle?When Salvation BeginsTrust in GodThe Time for RescueGod Is UnchangeableThere Is No Secret SalvationA Chosen RaceFeast of St. Michael and All AngelsWhat to Pray ForGod's Goodness