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Today is Thursday June 17, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Job, chapters 9-12. If you would like to read the chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this link onto your browser: http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-june-17
Today's Message: God Questions?
From time to time, even as faithful Christians, we all go through things that have us asking the question, why? We look up to God and say, Why are you doing this? It's okay to ask God questions, He will help us understand or comfort us even when some questions have not been answered. What we should not do is question God, He knows a lot more of what is going on than we do, while we may not understand what is going on, God knows exactly what is going on. He sees things in our future well beyond what we can ever imagine. It is however, what we do in the present that can make that journey and enjoyable one verses an unpleasant one, even during the trials we face. We all have to face the fact that whether we choose to follow Christ or not we are going to face trials, they do not go away, but they can get easier when we put our faith and trust in God. In fact, as we draw closer to Him through our trials we not only get a better insight spiritually, we also find answers to our questions.
Job must have had every emotion going on at the same time, he was confused, grieving, and in pain, on top of that the only people that would talk to him were ones that criticized him and kept making accusations at him. Amazingly though, the more these men belittled him the more he was able to see God. “I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God? If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand. He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered?...Lo, he goeth by me, and I see him not: he passeth on also, but I perceive him not. Behold, he taketh away, who can hinder him? who will say unto him, What doest thou? If God will not withdraw his anger, the proud helpers do stoop under him. How much less shall I answer him, and choose out my words to reason with him....For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, and we should come together in judgment. Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both.” - Job 9:2-4,11-14,32,33. Job admitted that God's dealings with him were beyond his ability to comprehend them, but he also realized that God was with him, even though he could not see Him. God is always with us, at times, it may seem as though He is no where to be found, but He never goes one day without His presence in our lives.
Incidentally, the word daysman means mediator, in other words Job was saying, we do not have a mediator among us to help us, someone who would stand in between the Holy God and sinful man. Today, we do have a mediator, that mediator is Jesus Christ, He is the middleman that allows us to communicate with God. Without Jesus, God can not hear us, no matter how much we scream and shout or how much we try to do for Him. Jesus Said, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” - Matthew 7:21-23. Works do not get us to heaven, Jesus gets us to heaven!
Through Job, we are led to see that religious people who express unkind criticism of others do Satan's work. Zophar was no different, he literally scolded Job and called him a liar and pretender. “Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justified? Should thy lies make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed? For thou hast said, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in thine eyes. But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against thee; And that he would shew thee the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is! Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth.” - Job 11:2-6. Zophar accused Job as a man that loved to hear himself speak, though he could say nothing to the purpose, and as a man that maintained falsehoods. He was literally telling him that God was giving him what he deserved for his sins. You have to love advice from those who think they know more than you do? We are cautioned not to impose added suffering upon those who need our comfort. Judgmental critics often misunderstand the methods and purposes of God in dealing with His chosen followers, but we can overcome even them by keeping our eyes on God, He knows the truth and one day those critics will see the truth because God will take care of them for us.
Christians can sense the presence of God, not only in our trials, but also in our day to day activities. Although we cannot see Him, we know, through faith, that He is with us. God may never reveal a reason for our trials, but we should never question His actions. “Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man. Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.” - Proverbs 3:3-7. To fear the Lord means to put all your faith and trust in God, to respect Him, and to obey Him. If we do not fear God we are left with our own human reasoning to figure things out and if we do not realize by now that that can really mess things up we better acknowledge that fast. Face it, we can not get through the trials we face alone, doing that always cause so much unneeded stress and suffering. Counselors, Psychologists, Psychiatrists, and foreign substances may mask things, but they can not replace the Only One who can make the rocky road path of life smoother to walk. Praise God! Got Questions? Put your faith and trust in Jesus, seek Him, for He is the only way to God and the answers.
Enjoy the rest of your day/night and week.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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