Chains
“If only you would prepare your heart and lift up your hands to him in prayer! Get rid of your sins, and leave all iniquity behind you. Then your face will brighten with innocence. You will be strong and free of fear. You will forget your misery; it will be like water flowing away. Your life will be brighter than the noonday. Even darkness will be as bright as morning. Having hope will give you courage. You will be protected and rest in safety. You will lie down unafraid, and many will look to you for help” (Job 11:13-19 NLT).
There is much to be said for letting go of the past. This is one of the most beautiful portions of Scripture I have come across in my reading because it so clearly points to the connection between sin, regret, humility, forgiveness, and healing. In this chapter, Zophar, one of Job’s friends, is pretty much rebuking him and telling him what he needs to do to make himself right with God again, and in the end Zophar himself is rebuked by God. I believe that “all truth is God’s truth,” and just because Zophar was out of line may not mean he was completely wrong. Even the Psalmist says that God desires a broken and contrite spirit rather than other kinds of sacrifice. I put some of the keywords in bold so that the message is a little bit more intense. This small section reminds me of The Pilgrim’s Progress,”when Christian’s load finally tumbles off his back and down the hill as he reaches the foot of the cross. There is certainly great power in “letting go.”
Karyn Pugh
Tennessee
PRAY TOGETHER: Continue praying for home missionaries who are searching for good, affordable meeting facilities.
