http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=job%2040-42&version=NIV
We often wonder why there is evil and suffering in the world. In some instances, God is using suffering to strengthen our faith. In other instances, our suffering may be the result of sin in our life. And in other instances, we really don’t have a clue as to why certain things are happening to us, save for the fallen nature of humankind and thus we still to this day continue to feel the after affects of the fall.
In the case of Job, God asks "Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him?
Let him who accuses God answer him!" (Job 40:2)
It is ok to question things about God, i.e. His plans for creation and your life, how things have come about and where they are headed, what is the role of the Holy Spirit, etc... These are examples of the types of questions we should ask God. Through prayer, the study of His Word, and Godly counsel, the Lord may reveal the answers to our questions.
Yet, we should not question the intentions of God, as Job has done. We all have done this in certain times of our lives. When we do this we are placing ourselves as being equivalent with God in terms of knowledge.
If we do question God in an unbiblical manner, we should do as Job did: (Job 42:1-6)
1 Then Job replied to the LORD : 2 "I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted. 3 You asked, 'Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?' Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. 4 "You said, 'Listen now, and I will speak;
I will question you, and you shall answer me.' 5 My ears had heard of you
but now my eyes have seen you. 6 Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes."
We must understand that God’s ways are higher than our ways. (Isaiah 55:8-9) Even though we may not understand what God is doing or why, we must trust that He is sovereign and in control.
A verse that has helped me with this has been Deuteronomy 29:29. It is one you should consider to memorize.
“The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and our sons, so that we may obey all the words of the law.”
So even though we have God’s Word, we will never know it exhaustively. Additionally, God’s Word is the revelation He deemed necessary for us to have a salvific experience with Him.
When we get to Heaven, there will be much more for us to learn outside of God’s Word about Him as well as in God’s Word. But for now, God’s Word is the revelation that we must go by when we study and approach God.
So I ask, do you have any areas in your life in which you are questioning the intentions of God? If you do, ask the Lord to grant you repentance in these areas, and to place your full faith and trust in Him and His Word.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. Acknowledge Him in all your ways and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6
Today's blog is submitted by Russ Shellhamer
Russ: I am glad to see you have come off the sideline and have joined the game. I look forward to your sharing and teaching...Thanks!!
ReplyDeleteI too feel God has revealed to us all that we can handle and/or comprehend for now, and for this life, which seems to be a dress-rehearsal for the next life, as well as a life to carry out the Great Commission and to honor God. As the word teaches, as Christians we have an inheritance, which stems from the royal blood of the Lord. Part of this inheritance is a lifetime of faith, which begins now in this earthly life.
**Today is a great time for this subject because of the horrible Haiti earthquake.
King James version of a very important Gospel verse-->Mathew 22:46-->And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.
Jesus usually answered questions with questions, because of His great wisdom and knowledge;so, let us be content with lack of answers--For now!!
Here's one of those rare times when we are allowed to see God's point of view and the reasons why things happen in a person's life. Job & friends don't know the reasons for Job's sufferings or the bigger picture (but we do). Questions and tortured thoughts emerge, say nothing of the torment of suffering. In the end Job leans on his faith that God is God and trusts Him beyond understanding. In our own and other's lives, we don't often know or see why things happen. But we can know that we can trust God--He's working, shaping, formulating, redeeming, reinventing, retelling our lives for a purpose, good, or glory. There's a greater story going on behind the story we see and understand. So we can trust in His sovereign hands. That's good to know and something to share with others. Lord be glorified!
ReplyDeleteEveryone loves miracles but no one desires to be in the place where we need one. In times of great need and suffering, we just keep looking to our Lord for comfort and mercy. And just like Job, it is during these times, we get to see a new dimension of God's presence in our life. this is why the Word states. "blessed are those who mourn" Blessed are those who hunger" Blessed are those who are persecuted" The Word says it is "Blessed" Wow, so opposite of the World's definition of blessed. But what makes it so blessed to be in these states of circumstances? Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God shows up in a new way in our life! Anywhere Jesus manifests His comfort, that is a blessed place.
ReplyDeleteThe story of Job makes me think not only about trials but also about how others, we, I respond to those who suffer. How/Do I respond? And do I seek the Lord in it? Hopefully I don't respond in a religious way. Job's friends spoke for God in ways that were in some cases true but for Job were wrong. They did not respond in a spirit-filled way. Sometimes I don't know how to respond or think there's nothing I can do or offer. But I can seek the Lord in such matters. Maybe he calls me to pray for someone, exhort, comfort, give or minister in some manner. Maybe it's big, or seemingly very small. I'm not always godly or listening or on it in these matters, but I need to consider. For suffering is also a need, an opportunity for others, us, me to respond as one of Christ's.
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