The 3 readings today show people in very different places. In the Exodus passage, the people of
Job wishes he was in the presence of God (v 35-37) so that he
could justify himself by means of his life seemingly lived blamelessly and in
accordance with God’s law. I suspect there aren’t many of us who can measure up
to the way Job lived his life. But even if we could, that would be no guarantee
for a happy, healthy and prosperous life as we can see from the book of Job.
In Luke 16, two worlds are contrasted. We live in our visible
world and are surrounded by the ways of this world. However, no one can serve
two masters (vv 13-15). We are asked to live with our focus on God and His
purposes alone. It is not wrong to have worldly wealth but we should use it in
a way that through it we will be “welcomed into eternal dwellings” (i.e. our
focus should be on building God’s kingdom).
In vv 16-17 Jesus confirms that the law is still valid.
The last passage in this chapter is again about the
importance of living this life for God. One day it may be too late. If people
harden their hearts they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the
dead (v 31), exactly what we find after Jesus’ resurrection.
Let us pray for God to soften our hearts, to be focussed only
on Jesus in everything we do (Col. 3, 23) and to seek His presence and
guidance.
(women’s ministry)