Msg #2034 Profitable to God?

What The Bible Says

Good Samaritan's Penny Pulpit by Pastor Ed Rice

One of Job's friends, Eliphaz, defies Job with the question, “Can a man be profitable to God?... Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that thou art righteous? Or is it gain to him, that thou makest thy ways perfect?” (Job 22:2-3). Before reading Job's profound answer consider something about your own relationship with the LORD God, in answer to the question. The Psalmist says “Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name” (Psalm 103:1). Eighteen times in fifteen OT verses we are told to “Bless the LORD” (not once “bless God”as it takes a personal relationship with him to bless). You cannot bless the LORD if you cannot be a blessing to him, consequently you can bring the Almighty pleasure. In thirty-two OT verses we are told to “Praise the LORD” with an additional twenty-two more “Praise him” references (only once “Praise God”, and that is “in his sanctuary” in Psalm 150). We know God “inhabitest the praises of Israel” (Psa 22:3), and we are told repeatably to shew forth all his marvelous works, it is gain to him. Bless the Lord, praise the LORD, shew forth his works, and such a worm as I can be profitable to God, and bring pleasure to the Almighty. “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power; for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created” (Rev 4:11). God displays to Job how almighty he is, and how small Job is (Job 38-42). That is the theme of the whole book of Job. You can please God, bless, praise, shew forth, and be profitable when you muse about how great He is. Now read Job's profound answer in Job 23-31. God bless.

An Essay for week #34 Aug 23, 2020

Msg in audio at www.GSBaptistChurch.com/audio/gs200823.mp3

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A weekly 300 word essay- The Penny Pulpit
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