The Blessings of God
Can papyrus grow where there is no marsh? Can reeds flourish where there is no water? While yet in flower and not cut down, they wither before any other plant. Such are the paths of all who forget God; the hope of the godless shall perish.
Job 8:11-13
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The Blessings of God
Bildad asks these questions concerning the viability of papyrus reeds. Can they survive if there is no water? The answer of course is that no they cannot. Bildad’s point is that those who are suffering are doing so because God has removed His blessings form them. They are like reeds without water and will soon wither away. Of course, this is true that without God’s blessings and divine providence we are lost and cannot survive. Yet to see suffering as an abandonment by God is to not understand God. The “hope of the godless shall perish” is indeed true, yet even the righteous suffer as the wicked prosper. We confess in the explanation to the Fourth Petition, “God gives daily bread, even without our prayer, to all wicked people.” So suffering or the lack thereof is not necessarily an indication of God’s blessings or wrath. So as always, we look to Christ. And it is in Him that we have our assurance that even when suffering comes upon us, He never abandons us. “I will not leave you or forsake you” (Joshua 1:5). Christ was obedient to our Father, even to the point of death on a cross, so that God’s cup of wrath would not be poured out upon us for our sins. Instead, it was on that very cross where our sins were paid for, so now the faithful who have been washed clean in the blood of the Lamb need not fear, for the suffering of this age is but a second compared to the eternity of God’s blessings Christ has won for us.
Job 8:11-13
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The Blessings of God
Bildad asks these questions concerning the viability of papyrus reeds. Can they survive if there is no water? The answer of course is that no they cannot. Bildad’s point is that those who are suffering are doing so because God has removed His blessings form them. They are like reeds without water and will soon wither away. Of course, this is true that without God’s blessings and divine providence we are lost and cannot survive. Yet to see suffering as an abandonment by God is to not understand God. The “hope of the godless shall perish” is indeed true, yet even the righteous suffer as the wicked prosper. We confess in the explanation to the Fourth Petition, “God gives daily bread, even without our prayer, to all wicked people.” So suffering or the lack thereof is not necessarily an indication of God’s blessings or wrath. So as always, we look to Christ. And it is in Him that we have our assurance that even when suffering comes upon us, He never abandons us. “I will not leave you or forsake you” (Joshua 1:5). Christ was obedient to our Father, even to the point of death on a cross, so that God’s cup of wrath would not be poured out upon us for our sins. Instead, it was on that very cross where our sins were paid for, so now the faithful who have been washed clean in the blood of the Lamb need not fear, for the suffering of this age is but a second compared to the eternity of God’s blessings Christ has won for us.
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2026
January
In The GardenBy Your Own LawA Kingdom Not From HereThe King Who Bears Witness to the TruthWhich Jesus Will You Have?Behold the King We MockedBehold the Man, Lifted for YouAuthority from Above, Glory from the CrossBehold Your King, Lifted Up to JudgeThe Place of the SkullIt Is WrittenEvery Promise KeptStabat MaterIt Is FinishedThese Three TestifyA True TestimonyA Quiet Courage at the CrossThe Empty Tomb and the Wounded SaviorSeeing, Believing, and the Linen Left BehindCalled by Name in the GardenDo Not Cling, Go and TellPeace in Wounded HandsThe Wounds That Speak Peace
2025
January
Not AshamedIn Every RespectWe Are In His HouseHear His VoiceTodayBut You BelieveRest in ChristRest in FaithRest in Christ’s WordConfidence in Our Great High PriestOur Eternal High PriestCalled by GracePerfect Through SufferingA Little MilkFoundationGod Comes to UsFaith in ChristObtaining the PromiseThe King of PeaceBlessed by the SuperiorA Priest Forever in ChristThe Forever PriestA Better HopeOur Eternal IntercessorOur Perfect High PriestOur Eternal High PriestThe Better Covenant in ChristA New CovenantPromises KeptOnly The High PriestNot the Blood of Goats
February
Only at DeathOnce and For AllImpossibleThe Perfect SacrificeThe Once-for-All SacrificeOnce for AllForgiven Once for AllDraw Near with a True HeartA Fearful ThingRemembering with JoyEnduranceOf Things Not SeenBecause of LoveBy FaithThe Builder is GodAs Good As DeadStrangers HereFaith in the God Who ProvidesFaith Looks Beyond the PresentBy Faith, Not FearBy Faith, Not by SightFaith That EnduresPerfected in ChristEyes on JesusDisciplineCast His Eye On YouIt HurtsWeak Knees
March
Strive for PeaceNo Fire For YouMount ZionAn Unshakable KingdomA Kingdom That Cannot Be ShakenBrotherly Love in ChristConfidence in ChristSteadfast in ChristOutside the CampSacrifices of PraiseJoyful Obedience in ChristPray for Your PastorsEquipped by the Blood of ChristEncouragement in ChristGrace Be With You AllGod’s Sovereign HandFaithful in a Foreign LandFaithful in the Small Things