What Do I Owe You?

Daily Reading:  Job 40-41

Who has first given to me, that I should repay him? Whatever is under the whole heaven is mine. (Job 41.11)

Devotional Thought: Recently the church gathered to celebrate the life of a dear friend named Doris.  As people remembered her, there was a recurring theme.  Doris was generous.  One person even said this, "Doris would never let you get ahead with her.  If you gave her one thing, she would give you two of something else in return."

As God explained how the world worked to Job, he reminded the poor sufferer that he - God - is very generous.  He did it by way of a question: "Who has first given to me, that I should repay him?" (Job 41.11)  That question seems to be an abrupt interruption, for it comes in the middle of God's description of Leviathan, the sea creature, the mention of which invoked fear in the hearts of people.

But was it really an interruption?  Leviathan represents all that is wrong with life: sickness and sadness, trials and troubles, lack and loneliness... you name it.  When these come upon us, we try to bargain with God using arguments such as, "God I've done all this for you!  How could you let this happen to me?"  God was saying, "Hey, I don't need your favors.  I already own it all!"

God will never be indebted to any person, he has given us all "life and breath and everything" (Acts 17.25).  We could never get ahead of God in the giving game, for it all comes from him.  So, why don't we just give to him the one thing he wants most?  Our hearts!

Prayer: Lord, with the hymn writer of old, we pray, "Nothing in my hands I bring, Simply to Thy cross I cling."  We cannot give you enough to pay for our salvation.  We cling to the cross, to the sacrifice of Jesus, to the love of God.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 126.1-6

1 When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.

2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them."

3 The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad.

4 Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like streams in the Negeb!

5 Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!

6 He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.