In the midst of suffering where should we focus? Job 12-13

Job 12:7-9

“But now ask the beasts, and let them teach you;

And the birds of the heavens, and let them tell you.

 “Or speak to the earth, and let it teach you;

And let the fish of the sea declare to you.

 “Who among all these does not know

That the hand of the Lord has done this,

Do you know what God is doing?   Do you stop to ponder God's work in the day-to-day functions of life?   We are most simply so busy trying to survive we do't take time to do what Job talks about here in this passage.   Remember, however, he is in great anguish.   He has lost everything.   He has in poor health.   He was just berated by his "friend", Zohar (chapter 11).   Job's solution?   Focus on God and what God is doing in day-to-day activities (chapter 12-13).   He particularly wants us to focus on creation and learn from the beasts, the birds, the earth and the sea.   If you have never seen the movie, "God of Wonders," these verses are demonstrated by that movie.   God has created so much for our eyes to behold to see Him.  We simply miss it.  We don't see Him the way He has taken great pains to reveal Himself.    The beast, birds and fish know that God is active in their lives.  God feeds them.  God clothes them.   When we are in the midst of despair and loneliness we are to meditate upon God and His awesome power.   He alone is to be our focus.   Job could have looked at his sores, the burial stones of his children or the debris from his destroyed buildings and homes.   Instead he looked at the birds.   In the midst of pain he relaxed in the wonder of God's power.   

Should we use "Theology" on the sick? Job 11

Job 11:7-8

“ Can you discover the depths of God?

Can you discover the limits of the Almighty?

 “ They are high as the heavens, what can you do?

Deeper than Sheol, what can you know?

On face value, Zophar's questions here to Job seem appropriate and fair.   Zophar, the third of Job's friends to speak, is harder than the other two in his counsel.   But, these questions would be appropriate to ask in any situation.   If it were not for Zophar's lack of tack and his limited mercy, you would be pleased to be confronted with such a theological quiz.   Yet, when considered over the entire response of Zophar you catch a small amount of sarcasm in Zohar's voice.   I am sure Zophar is trying to be theologically correct and is asking Job so that Job will know his place in this saga.  Yet, asking the right questions in the wrong manner and spirit is not pleasing to God.    Zophar is correct in that Job, nor me and you, can know or discover the depths of God.   We do not know His unlimited power.    Heaven and Hell can't contain Him.    To this point, Zophar is a Seminar Theologian.    To the point of the appropriateness of his questioning Job, Zophar falls quite short.   We should be always ready to ask the deep and stretching questions about God and His Divine Character.  However, when your friend is sitting in boils and bruises, we may want to be careful as to "how" we ask a question as much as "why" we ask a question.   When in pain and difficulty we should be directed to dwell on the depths of God and the unlimited power He can use on our behalf.   But, if we state it as a tool to whip our friend and not encourage him we do a disservice to the friend and The Lord.  

What can you do when life and others are unfair? Psalm 12-14

Psalms 13:5

But I have trusted in Your lovingkindness;

My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.

What can you do in the midst of conflict and despair?   When you feel overwhelmed because of life's circumstances, what is left to do?  If you believe you are being mis-represented and mis-treated, what can you do?   In these three Psalm (12-14) we can hear the despair in David's voice.   The world's approach in these type of troubled times is to turn to friends (who will desert you or have their own issues), turn to possessions (which will rot and rust), turn to substance abuse (which will destroy over time), and turn to psychological speak (which will fail in the end).   David, in the midst of his despair, remembers the real answer to life's tough times is the mercy and salvation of The Lord.   Since he trusted in God's mercy (stated as "lovingkindness" in the NASV, above) he can "rejoice" in God's salvation.   When we realize the depth of our despair it ought to drive us to believe in the depth of His mercy.   That should, in turn, cause us to rejoice, despite the failings around us.   Why do believers forge on despite the bitter circumstances ... because they have faith in the unfailing mercy of God who will save them from and through tough times.   God shelters those He loves and those who put their trust in Him.   They can rest in His abundant, unfailing lovingkindness and rejoice (despite the dark days) in the salvation of The Lord.  Rejoice today ... shock those around you.  

Does God keep His promises? Joshua 21-24

Joshua 21:45

Not one of the good promises which the Lord had made to the house of Israel failed; all came to pass.

Does God keep His promises?   That is like asking if the sun will always be hot?   Or, will the moon reflect the sun?  We fail to understand the truth behind this verse and verses like it.   Later, in 24:15-18, Joshua stresses more about God keeping every portion of His word to the nation.   God promised Abraham a child in his old age and at 100 he and Sarah had Isaac.   But, Abraham had to wait years for the promise to come to fruition.  But, it did.   Noah was promised if he build the ark the flood would come but he and his family would be safe.   Noah waited 98 years for that to take place.  But it did.   Joseph was told by God in a dream he would rule over his brothers and even over his mother and father.   The brothers were so upset they sold him into slavery.  He spent time in servitude and eventually in prison.   But, he waited and he became second in the land with power.   God keeps His promises but not necessarily on our time schedule.   But, God's delay is not God's failure.   God promises us that we will eventually reign with Him.   And we will.   Maybe not today, but He will keep His promises.   If we simply took one promise a day to trust in we would be stretching our faith in an adequate manner and that would allows us to please Him (Hebrews 11:6). 

Is anything to hard for God? Genesis 16-19

Genesis 18:10-14

Then the Lord said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.”

Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him. Abraham and Sarah were already old and well advanced in years, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing. So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, “After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?”

 Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old? ’ Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son.”

Is anything to hard for The Lord?   As you look at your life do you see impossible problems in front of you, or opportunities for God to do a miracle?    God is in the business of doing great things.    He put the nation of Israel in the place of hardship on a repeated basis just to show His glory when He delivered them.   Is it any surprise that the very birth of Israel (Isaac's seed) would be in the face of great odds and tremendous hardship?  Take a look at the hardship you face.   Do you see God grace and power ready to be displayed in this?   Do you see the fact that God wants to perform a miracle for us?   We can laugh like Sarah in our above passage, or we can fall on our face and be thankful ahead of time that God is going to do a great miracle.   Is there anything to hard for God?   God heals conflicts!   God heals diseases!  God heals financial burdens!   God heals heartaches!   God heals everything we need to be healed ... in HIs own way and in His OWN time.   Is there anything to hard for God?  

Will God love me despite me? Romans 7-8

Romans 8:37-39

But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

There may be no sweeter passage in Scripture to give us assurance and hope; especially after we have failed God for the hundred-plus time.    In the midst of our failings, our distress and our tribulations (all the things Paul mentions in the previous verses) we still know that God loves us and will conquer within us all these things.   God knows our troubles and tribulations.  He often uses them to shape us to the image of His Son.  He does not waste a good conflict, rather using it in us to shape, mold and bend our spirit to His.   But, despite those difficulties and our feelings of despair in the midst we can rejoice that God is still both in control and in love with us.  He love us beyond all these things and all the sin in our lives.  He sees us only through His Son's sacrifice and that allows us to rejoice in His love and bask in His conquering spirit.  Rejoice today in His Love.   

Why do families fight? Matthew 8-10

Matthew 10:21-23

“ Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved.

 “But whenever they persecute you in one city, flee to the next; for truly I say to you, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel until the Son of Man comes.

Matthew 10:37-38

“ He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.

Why do family members fight?   Family is a very important cog n the wheel of life.   Most people "say" that they put family above everything else, often above God.   Yet, there is more struggle within the "family" dynamic than most any other institution, organization or kingdom.   Family members fight.   The last verse of the Old Testament tells us that there will be a struggle within families as the world unfolds (See Malachi 4:6 and Micah 7:6).   God predicted it.  Absolum didn't have the perfect father in David, but God speaks more favorable about David than any other man.   And, yet, Absolum rebelled against David.  Saul tried to kill his son Jonathan.    Aaron and Miriam revolted against Moses.    In the passages above we see that those who commit completely to God will have tension within the family.    Good family members are committed to God and than each other.  When we are not committed to God we have conflict.   One will rise up toward the other.   God provided His Son so that we would have peace with Him (Romans 5:1) and with each other (Romans 12).   Yet, that doesn't always happen.   in the midst of that strife we ware to keep our relationship with God strong.   God is the only one who can work out peace within families.   Absent His working there will always be war between blood.  

Why do countries war against each other? Isaiah 18-22

Isaiah 19:1-2

Behold, the Lord is riding on a swift cloud and is about to come to Egypt;

The idols of Egypt will tremble at His presence,

And the heart of the Egyptians will melt within them.

 “So I will incite Egyptians against Egyptians;

And they will each fight against his brother and each against his neighbor,

City against city and kingdom against kingdom.

Why do people fight?   We have so much fighting in this world.  So much anger and so much destruction of human life.   Why is this so?  There are probably multiple answers to that question but one response might be listed in the verses above.    One reason we have so much fighting is that God is using it to discipline mankind!!   Note that in this section the Prophet Isaiah is giving an "oracle" (a Pronouncement by God about what He is about to do) against Egypt.  In Scripture, Egypt is a picture of the world.   God is pronouncing what He is going to do and how He is going to accomplish it.   He is going to punish Egypt (verse one) and to do so He is going to allow Egyptians to fight against Egyptian.   In fact, the passage seems to indicate that God is going to take a pro-active approach to this waring between brothers.    There are plenty of other reasons that people may fight but you can't miss the fact that God uses inward fighting, at times, to accomplish His plan and His mission.   In this case discipline of the nation of Egypt.   We can put our heads in the sand and bend to political correctness by leaving God out of warring we see in life, but that would simply be foolish.  God indeed is doing a work in nations and He uses warring to accomplish it.   We should not embrace warring but we certainly, by faith, understand that God is using it to accomplish a greater task that we simply are not aware of.    The next time we see city against city and kingdom against kingdom, remember that God may be at work.   

Job was a wind bag? Job 8-10

Job 8:2

“How long will you say these things,

And the words of your mouth be a mighty wind?

How long will you be a wind bag?   That seems to be the question that Bildad is asking Job.    How insulting?  Job is dead sick and suffering from a tremendous pain.    But, Bildad, in his endeavor to 'help" starts with these words.    He is calling Job a "wind bag."   He is telling Job that he should stop talking and return to the righteousness he had before.  Of course, Bildad is missing the point that "no one is righteous."  He is also missing the point that when someone is hurting and suffering you don't start with an insult.   Bildad is like many  "hard counselors" who lack tact but blurt "truth."   Paul told us to "speak the truth IN love."   Our approach should be that of Jesus with the women caught in adultery.   We ought to be just as carful as to how we speak to others as what we speak to others.  Bildad was wrong on both accounts.   He was crude in his approach and he was wrong in his theology.    Job couldn't return to righteousness since he was never righteous.    But, if he wanted to make a point with Job, it would have been wiser to "win the soul" rather than abuse the person.   The next time you get a chance to counsel with someone use words that are drawing and not driving them away.    Speak the truth but do so in Love.   

Whose story do we tell? Psalm 9-11

Psalms 9:1

 I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart;

I will tell of all Your wonders.

What is our story?   Everyone has a story.   Everyone likes to tell their story.  Cancer survivors have a great story and they like to tell it and should.   Sports figures are often called to speak at banquets and tell their "story."   We love to have our children tell us their stories.   Hollywood tells us their stories in cinematic fashion.   Politicians tell us their stories in public relations blurbs.   People love to tell us their stories.    As the Psalmist writes Psalm 9, however, David has decided not to tell us his story, but rather HIS story.   Three times in this Psalm he makes a point to tell us he is going to "tell" or "declare" God's story (v.1;  v. 11; v. 14).   David had some great stories to tell.  However, he makes the point to remember that it is not "his" story that matters.  It is what God is doing in his life that is the real story.   David wants to make sure people know about God and what God is doing.  That is God story.   We are not to be boasting of how we "beat" cancer but rather of how God did a great health work in us.   We are not to stand in front of groups and boast of what we accomplished on the sports field but what God accomplished in us.   God is to be the one who we glorify.   We are to tell the riches of His story.   Tell of his great wonders, deeds and works in our lives.   It is his story we are to tell.   

Why do we need leaders? Joshua 16-20

Why do we need leaders?   In every society we can see those men who lead and those who follow.   But why is that so?   Perhaps in Joshua 18 we have a little insight into the answer to that question.    In Joshua 18:3 we read that Joshua had noticed that seven of the tribes had yet to start their ownership of the land.   They were apparently "just sitting around" and enjoying the camp fire where they were.  Joshua had provided the land boundaries to the sons of Joseph and had given land to the tribe of Judah.   Even though these tribes were given the land in front of them and were told to go out and possess the land, they were content and comfortable still living in tents and sitting around.   They lacked the "leadership" within themselves to go out and conquer.    Joshua has to step in to provide that leadership.   Left to our own man will not go out "conquer" on their own.   God has provided leadership to Lead man into the act of conquering.   The depravity of man is to be content.   Or, to pursue evil.   But, to pursue what is good and to follow God's command (God had commanded them to conquer the land) is simply not in man.   God ordains leadership to lead us into battle, to secure the reward.    Good leadership is about getting others to do things they wouldn't do on their own for the common good of all.   Left to their own imagination and energy man will not accomplish great things.  It is only through God ordained leadership that we see great things accomplished in man and by man for God.   

Do you have enough faith to give others a choice? Genesis 12-15

Do you have enough faith to give others a choice?  In this section we see Abraham making some tough choices in life.    These choices don't come easy.    When confronted with strife with his nephew Lot, Abraham had to make a decision on what to do to resolve the issue.   Abraham could have used his power and position to demand Lot move left or right.   After all, God had promised all the land to Abraham, not to Lot.   After all, God had promised Abraham an heir and it was not Lot.   After all, all the possessions Lot had was a result of Abraham and the blessings from God, not from Lot's own hand.   But, Abraham was a man of faith.  He didn't need to exact his power or position over Lot because he knew what God had promised.   In Romans 4:20, 21 we read that Abraham believed the promises of God and acted upon them.    When faced with a strife with his nephew note Abraham's approach:

 Genesis 13:9

Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me; if to the left, then I will go to the right; or if to the right, then I will go to the left.”

Only a man of faith can do this and live this way.  Only a man who believes completely in the promises of God can allow himself to be defrauded or left with the "left-overs".    In the subsequent verses we see Lot choose the riches and most watered land for his flocks, leaving the rest to Abraham.   Yet, God still blesses Abraham over Lot.    In Matthew 5 we read that Jesus told us to "seek first the kingdom of God" and then material things would be added unto us.   Abraham is a perfect example of the Savior's later teaching.    Abraham sought first God and then God brought blessings to him.   Lot sought the world's goodness and was left with nothing in the end.    Do you have enough faith in God to give others that kind of choice?   

How do we "become" righteous? Romans 5-6

How do we "become" righteous?   In our reading in Matthew yesterday Jesus tells us that "just as our Father in heaven is holy (righteous) even so we must be righteous" (Matthew 5:48).  But, how does that happen?   In Romans we have the answer to that question explained, diagramed and fully laid out.   Notice how Paul sums up the answer here:

Romans 5:19

For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous.

This is a fundamental thesis statement for Paul.   God is the one who "makes us righteous."   Through the "obedience of One" (Jesus' obedience on the cross) we have been "made" righteous.   For those who may miss the powerful truth here, Paul is telling us that the responsibility to obtain righteousness and fulfill Matthew 5:48 is done through Christ's work, not our own.   God not only requires that we "be righteous" He provide the way for us to become righteous.    No other religion comes close to this doctrinal truth.   All other religions demand that you become righteous.   But, none of them provide the righteousness via grace as a gift.   In other religions you have to earn it or prove it.   But, God proves it and earns it for us.   We can rejoice that our righteousness has been proven and provided by Jesus.   We don't have to worry about it.   God has it covered.   Rejoice that your salvation has been provided for by God and is given to you as a complete gift by God.   Relax and embrace His gift.  

How does the Believer's World view differ? Matthew 5-7

How does a Christian world view compare to societies world view?  There is nothing that shows the contrast between the world's view of life and the believer's view of life like the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) in general and the Beatitudes specifically.   In this short devotional it would be impossible to outline every lesson that proves that statement but picking just one of the Beatitudes can shed much light on the thought:

 Matthew 5:5

“Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.

The world's view of life is that the "earth" and all its possessions goes to the strong and the mighty.   It goes to the those who can defeat and beat the other.   The one with the most money, power, position and prestige wins and accumulates.   But, Christ debunks all that in one simple statement by saying that those who are gentle and humble will actually inherit all the earth.    In our world the "meek" are almost always looked at as "weak."    Let's reshape our minds into a proper Biblical and Believer's world view.   It is the Meek that will inherit the all things.  We are to be gentle and humble in our approach to life.   We are not to be bullies and strive for attention and power.   We are to be meek servants waiting on God's reward at the end of the journey.   When the world shouts out, "Grab" we are to refuse and rather than clinch our fists and tighten our fingers we are to have an open palm of offering and waiting.   We should offer grace to those who hurt, hurt us and hurt others.   We are to be the offering of gentle grace.   That is the Believers world view.  When Jesus was reviled He did not retaliate.   He allowed Himself to be abused and waited for the resurrection to assume His right position of power.  And even now He genteelly waits for those who reject Him to still come to Him.   The gentle will inherit the  earth. 

What do we do after salvation? Isaiah 12-17

What do we do after we are saved?   Isaiah is a great book to learn so much about the Messiah and about the salvation provided by and through Him.   Isaiah is the Romans of the Old Testament.   In chapter twelve of the book we have a great thanksgiving that the prophet records, expressing gratitude for this salvation.  It is as if the writer can't contain himself and must shout from the top of the hill praise and adulation to God for providing the Messiah.   I especially like the following verse in that praise psalm:

Isaiah 12:3

Therefore you will joyously draw water

From the springs of salvation.

In speaking to those who are saved and will experience salvation Isaiah doesn't want them to think this is a one time experience.  He tells us that salvation is a "spring" of which we continually drink throughout our days.   We "joyously draw" water.   The picture here must have been a difficult one for the typically Israelite.   To us it serves only as a picture.  But, to them, the drawing of water was an everyday, difficult task.  We sometimes get frustrated when we have to take the garbage to the end of the driveway.   The typical Israelite had to draw water in the morning and in the evening.   It was not a "joyous" responsibility.  It was often left to the women.  You remember in John 4 when Christ promises the Women at the Well "Living Water" she about freaked-out.   She would have loved water she no longer had to "draw" out of the well each day.  What Isaiah (and then later Jesus) is telling us is that Salvation is that ever source of life.   It is always available and always flowing.  We are to drink it in every day and enjoy how it quenches the thirst of life.  Salvation was not a one time thing.  We are to experience the joy of our salvation every day.   

What does God's discipline feel like? Job 6-7

What does God's discipline feel like?   We all have had to discipline our children at one time or another.   We do so because we love them and want what is best for them, even when they don't have the understanding to grasp our "holy" intent.   Never-the-less we discipline them.   We are told countless times in God's Word that because He loves us He disciplines us.  He teaches us through His discipline.   But, what does it feel like on our end?  It may be love, but what does our body and emotion feel?   Job gives us some insight into that as he declares the following:

Job 6:4

“For the arrows of the Almighty are within me,

 Their poison my spirit drinks;

The terrors of God are arrayed against me.

Now, we could argue that this was not the discipline of The Lord, at all.  It was Satan's retribution on Job for being a righteous man.  However, it should be considered that Job is a man who believes in the complete sovereign acts of God.  He knows that nothing can happen to him unless God allows it and if God allows it then it must be something God is using in his life.   He sees the pain as God's Work in his life.   God does love us and we need to realize the pain we may go through in the midst of suffering.   We don't want to be on the end of any arrow.   Satan has "fiery darts" shooting at us all the time.   The only way to quench those is with the "shield of faith."   Job admits in this verse the truth of the pain he is in.  It doesn't mean he was rejecting God's discipline.  It only means he knew and experienced it in genuine pain.   Our faith does not exempt us from pain.    It only allows us to be carried through it.    

What is in a name? Psalm 6-8

Psalms 8:1

 O Lord, our Lord,

How majestic is Your name in all the earth,

Who have displayed Your splendor above the heavens!

What's in a name?   When you hear a name what do you think of?   If you hear the name Thomas Edison you think of a light bulb.   If hear the name Judas  you think of a traitor.   If you here the name Warren Buffet you think of money.   When you here Jim Carey you think of goofy actor.    Our name carries so much.   It is hard to say a name and not have someone form an opinion quickly, or convey the opinion they have already formed.   In this Psalm we see the writer talk about the majesty of The Lord's Name.   It is so majestic He displayed the splendor of it in the heavens.   When we say the name of Jesus in the community or call upon God within a meeting or organization we can polarize a room.  The LORD"s name means something.   To some it is the hope of mankind and the Master of Grace.   To others it is a "form" to be denied and even ridiculed.   God has placed His name far above the heavens.    When we say it we ought to honor Him in the saying.   Taking His name in vain was and is a major violation of His character and law.   The Lord is the God of the Universe.  How majestic is HIs name.   

Does God want us to live completely free of all sin? Joshual 7-11

Does God want us to live completely free of sin?  Doesn't He mind if we have just a little vice in our life?  We each work through our life in a battle against sin.   Unless, if you are a believer, that is what you are supposed to do.   We are in a "war" with sin (Romans 6-7).   The story of Israel, lead by Joshua, as they conquer the land of Canaan (in this section) is a picture of our fight with sin.   Canaan is a picture of sin in God's Word.   God called Abraham "out of Ur of the Caladeans."   God redeemed the nation out of Egypt and now wants to them live in victory by defeating the Canaanites.  So, when they begin to defeat the kings in the land it is important to see what happens.  God told them to leave "no one" alive.   But, notice what happens in the last verse of this section:

Joshua 15:63

Now as for the Jebusites, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the sons of Judah could not drive them out; so the Jebusites live with the sons of Judah at Jerusalem until this day.

This is going to be a familiar theme as we read through the rest of the book.   The Israelites thought they were "good enough" by destroying "most" of the wickedness in the land.   But, we will soon learn that leaving this small group, the Jebusites, will be the beginning of a long line of sinning in their nation.   God knows that if we rub up against sin we will soon allow it to control our lives.   We can't leave a little in the closet and expect to walk in holiness with God.   They will soon teach Israel their ways and get them to practice their faith.  You can rub shoulders with false teaching without being affected by the teaching.   Stay clear ... completely.  

How long was Noah in the ark? Genesis 8-11

How long was Noah in the ark?  Of the questions we can ask and answer out of this section, "How long Noah was in the ark?" doesn't actually rise to a very Theological discourse to some, or most of us.   However, there is a lesson here for us that can be practical and beneficial.   First, let's look at the actual answer to the question.   In chapter seven of Genesis it says that Noah entered the ark in his 600th year, 2nd month and 17th day.    That is when the rain started.    We know that the rain came down 40 days and we have many who would say that Noah was in the ark for 40 days.     The Scriptures simply say that Noah opened the window of the ark after 40 days ... when the rain stopped.    But, in chapter eight of the book it says that the land dried up and Noah and the family came out of the ark in Noah's 601 year, 2nd month and 27th day.    So, the entire time Noah was in the ark was just a few days over a year.   The actual events of the flood took place in 40 days, but the outcome from beginning to end took place in a year.   Imagine Noah's patience during this time.  Imagine his family.  We know Noah was a righteous man but what about his wife and kids.   Imagine the strain on relationships and on their faith.   In Hebrews 11:7 we read that "by faith" Noah entered the ark and it was the salvation of his family.   The only thing that sustained Noah and his family during this time was faith!   Noah built the ark by faith.  Noah filled the ark by faith.   But, Noah lived for over a year in the ark by faith.   Faith sustains us during the entire act of God's plan.   Noah could have given in to feelings; which would have been tense and struggling.   But, by faith, he lived in a place most could not endure for a week.  Faith brings us through the "entire" ordeal.   We each are going through our own "floods" in life and it is by faith, not feelings, that we are able to sustain.  Faith in God's promises and God's marvelous plan and His steadfast character.   Hold on to faith in the darkest, wettest hours.   It will sustain us.  

Just how corrupt is man, really? Romans 3-4

Just how corrupt is man, really?   If we could cut open a man and see the evil in his/her life, body, soul, heart, what would it look like?  Most men believe they are typically "mostly" good.   They don't see themselves as evil.  Most men see themselves as redeemable and believe, if God redeems us, He does so because we deserve it.    However, if we did a complete biopsy of man's spiritual soul, here is what we would see.  Notice the body parts mentioned by Paul in this passage:

Romans 3:12-18

All have turned aside, together they have become useless;

There is none who does good,

There is not even one.”

 “ Their throat is an open grave,

With their tongues they keep deceiving,”

“ The poison of asps is under their lips”;

 “ Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness”;

 “ Their feet are swift to shed blood,

 Destruction and misery are in their paths,

 And the path of peace they have not known.”

 “ There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

Paul mentions the throat, the tongue, the lips, the mouth, the feet and the very paths of man as being totally and completely corrupt.   In the verses just before Paul states that no man will "seek" God.   The following verses show why.   Man is a corrupt beast ... all men.   This is why we need the action of God through HIs Son, Jesus, to redeem us.   We have no good to offer to God.   We are completely broken and need the God of the universe to fix us.   That is the gospel message.  Until you come to the point that you realize that God came to restore a "completely" broken vessel and that you and I have nothing to offer Him, you won't know the real redemptive story and the beauty of God's Grace.    

What if we didn't worship God? Matthew 3-4

What if we didn't worship God?  What if simply didn't worship Him?   Man thinks he is so important in the plan of God.   Indeed he can be since God sent His Son into the world to redeem man.   So, man must be very important to God.  However, John the Baptist made sure the Pharisees and the religious leaders of the day understood their place (and that of all men).  Note his words below:

Matthew 3:9

... and do not suppose that you can say to yourselves, ‘ We have Abraham for our father ’; for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham.

God can raise up, from stones, someone to praise and worship Him.  That verse puts all of our praise, worship and commitment into perspective.   God does not "need" us to complete Him.   No, we need God.    God can take a mere stone and create a worshiper for Him and to Him.   As religious people we tend to think we are an intregal part of God's plan and God's worship system.   We are!!  God's didn't send His Son to defeat sin for any other reason than to bring us into the act of worship.   But, don't allow that thought to cause us to forget that God can take a mere stone to make a great worshipper.    Our worship of God is a natural response to His work in our lives in redemption.   But, our pride that sneaks into our worship is unfounded.   If we don't worship in the right attitude of humility we might as well move aside for the next rock that He will convert to a worshipper.  

Why do believers live in such hope when the world is such a mess? Isiaiah 7-11

Why do believers live with such hope despite the difficulty in the world? When we see on the news every day the the world is going to hell in a hand basket, why is it that believers can live with such hope that they have joy in their hearts and a skip in their steps, despite the ugliness in the world?   Perhaps Isaiah's prophecy can shed some light on the answer.  Note what Isaiah says will happen when Christ finally reigns on high:

Isaiah 11:5-9

Also righteousness will be the belt about His loins,

And faithfulness the belt about His waist.

 And the wolf will dwell with the lamb,

And the leopard will lie down with the young goat,

And the calf and the young lion and the fatling together;

And a little boy will lead them.

 Also the cow and the bear will graze,

Their young will lie down together,

And the lion will eat straw like the ox.

 The nursing child will play by the hole of the cobra,

And the weaned child will put his hand on the viper’s den.

 They will not hurt or destroy in all My holy mountain,

For the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord

As the waters cover the sea.

In the second to the last line of this section note that is says, "For the earth will be full of the knowledge of The Lord."   The believers hope is not based upon some factious-man-made-belief but rather the fact that when Christ truly reigns all the earth will be filled with the "knowledge"  of The Lord.   That knowledge will allow the world to live in perfect harmony.   This section begins by talking about the "righteousness" of The Lord as His belt.   "Faithfulness" is around His waist.   And, when the knowledge of God is in the hearts of man there is a change in behavior.   Believers have great hope because God is going to restore perfect harmony on the earth.  All the hatred, murder, war, conflict, deception, etc, will be replaced with Christ's righteousness, faithfulness and the full knowledge of Him.  With that in our hearts and minds, why not live in hope despite the crud we see every day? 

Why does man have so much trouble? Job 3-5

Why do we have so much trouble in life?   Here we have the story of Job, who, by all accounts, was a great man and didn't do anything to deserve the pain he was now experiencing.   Yet, his life was suddenly full of trouble.    We may not experience the same trouble on the level of a "Job" but we are all too familiar with "trouble."   Job's first friend Eliphaz has some comments to make to Job, many of which are truth but applied to the wrong patient.   Job is not experiencing this trouble because of sin.   But he is experiencing trouble.   Eliphaz does make a few statements that give us insight, that Job later, himself confirms.  Note the following:

Job 5:7

For man is born for trouble,

As sparks fly upward.

Job says the same things later in one of his responses:

Job 14:1

“Man who is born of a woman

is few of days and full of trouble.

 He comes out like a flower and withers;

he flees like a shadow and continues not.

But, even though man is destined for trouble in life the story doesn't end there.   Job and Eliphaz both know that God is in the business of rescuing and restoring those who are in trouble.   Man is destined for trouble so that man will learn to trust God.   God allows trouble so that we are conformed to His Son (Romans 8;28-30).   Note Eliphaz words below:

Job 5:18-19

“For He inflicts pain, and gives relief;

He wounds, and His hands also heal.

 “ From six troubles He will deliver you,

Even in seven evil will not touch you.

We can get relief from our trouble when we walk with God.   God does not leave us in trouble.   Man may be born into trouble but God is there to pull us out.  

When we "withdraw" from life what does God do? Psalm 3-5

Psalms 4:3

But know that the Lord has set apart the godly man for Himself;

The Lord hears when I call to Him.

When we "withdraw" from life what does God do?"   Psalm 3-5 has some rich truth for us to digest.   We could pick any of the verses and have an entire book written in regard to God's care for us and our need for God.   The above verse represents much of what God is saying to us in this section.   We are special to God.   God has a special plan for each and every one of us.   In this section the Psalmist seems to be in a depressed mood.   He cries out to God in a various ways and finds solace that God is both listening and is active in his life.   In this Psalm, above, we see that God not only listens and acts, He has a plan for the godly man.   God has "set apart" the godly man.   What a great truth to meditate upon (note in verse four of this chapter that the writer actually tells the reader after writing this truth to "meditate" on his bed about it).  When you and I feel depressed and/or down God is active in our lives.   God hears us as we groan and grind out life.   God is active in our lives even though we might have withdrawn from life.   God has a plan - He has set us apart for Himself and is working out His plan for us, even when we withdraw from life.  

How can we avoid being deceived by the world? Joshua 6-10

How can we avoid being deceived by others?  It is doubtful that most of us have people actively trying to deceive us.  In the normal day-to-day functions of life most people are honest and trustful.   But, this is not true of the world in general.   We might live among friends and family and should be able to trust both.  But, the world's system is one of deceit.   Advertisements for products are the most obvious form of deceit that we see each day.   Seldom does a used car salesmen tell you "everything" about the car you are about to buy.   People selling things color it, perfume it, reshape it and disguise it so that we think we are getting something better than we are.  Marketing is the legal art of deception.   Politicians also are masters at the slight of hand.  They believe we are slow to catch on to their deception.   And, we are. We vote for what we think we hear not what we know we will probably get.   In Joshua's day, even though he was a man of God, he was not exempt from deception.   The Gibeonites tricked Joshua and the nation of Israel into thinking that they had come from a far land and wanted to be "partners" in their religion.   Even though God had told Joshua to NOT make a covenant with any nation in the land they were to conquer, he made a covenant with the Gibeonites ... a covenant that couldn't be broken.   What went wrong?   Note the following:

Joshua 9:14

So the men of Israel took some of their provisions, and did not ask for the counsel of the Lord.

Joshua, again in haste, like the first battle with Ai, failed to talk to God about the proposed agreement with Gideon.   Haste makes waste, as they say.  In this case it caused an unholy union with the very people they were commanded to destroy.   The failure of Joshua and the Nation to slow down and seek God's face caused a relationship forbidden by God.   Solomon warns us that those who are fools are those who "do not know" or "do not ponder" and think through their choices (Proverbs 5:6; 7:23; 9:18).   If we fail to consult with God we will often walk off the cliff of deceit.   Satan is trying to deceive us.   The World is a system of deceit.  The only way we can really be safe in this world is to consult God and go to Him first, before we make a decision.   Reading His Word each day; praying each day; and consulting God's people each day will prevent a Gibeon from leading us into an unholy union.   God wants to guide us.  But, if we want to avoid deception we have to invite God into the decisions we make.  Only God can keep us from being deceived by the world.  

Why doesn't God just destroy us all? Genesis 4-7

Why doesn't God just destroy us all?  In Noah's day it is said in Genesis 6 that God saw the evilness on the earth and was "sorry" He never made man. So, why not just destroy them and start over?   God put together a plan for Noah to build an ark and bring the animals two-by-two into the ark to save them.  Why not just destroy them and start all over again?  It is not like God can't create.    Why save Noah? Today the world must be, at least, as corrupt as in Noah's day.  Why not destroy it all and start afresh?   One verse answers all these questions as to why God designed the ark and rescued Noah and his family:

Genesis 6:8

But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.

Noah found "favor."  The word is actually the Hebrew word for "grace."   Noah found grace in the eyes of The Lord.   The reason God didn't just destroy the entire earth and start over was to show the marvelous depths of His loving grace.   The reason God doesn't destroy our world today is the marvelous grace He is wishing to bestow on us.   He sent His son (a type of ark) to rescue us from the impending doom of this earth.  All who "enter" Jesus will partake of God's grace.   Just as the animals and Noah and his family "entered" the ark, so too, we, "come into" Christ to receive grace from the fiery doom set to destroy this earth .... this time for good.   God is going to "just destroy it all" but not until He offers grace to mankind.   God didn't destroy the entire earth in Noah's day because Noah found God's grace.  God is a gracious God no matter how evil we as men can be.   Why doesn't God just destroy us all?  Because He is a gracious God.   

Why is there evil in the world? Romans 1-2

Why is there evil in the world?   

According to Paul's writing in Romans chapter one we see that man has rejected God and has decided to go "his own way."   As a result, what is God to do?  If God "makes" man believe in Him and "forces" man to do "His will" man will complain he had no choice but to follow ... free will having been taken away.   But, if God allows man to what man wants to do what would happen?   That is the dilemma we face.   Since Adam and Eve at free will to do what they wanted (as our representatives) we have to suffer the consequences since they, in our stead, refused to obey God.   They (representing us) were able to do as they wanted.   As a result, God MUST back away and allow man to have his or her own way.  Note the results:

 Romans 1:28-31

And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful;

Note the evil that man brings upon himself/herself as a result of being able to live the life they "choose."   We can't blame God for the evil in the world when we begin by rejecting God and His truth.   There is evil in the world because man has opted out of God's grace and wants to live his/her own life.   Don't complain if God allows us to be free .... just realize freedom comes at a great price: Evilness in the World.  In fact, look what man tries to do when evil rears its ugly head: Establish new laws.   Even man wants to corral man by law.   Yet, they reject God's laws because they want freedom.  

What does God do while we are pondering a decision? Matthew 1-2

Matthew 1:20

But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “ Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.

What does God do while we are "weighing" out our options?   We all have many. many decisions we have to make.  Some people make rash decisions and spend very little time thinking about them.   Others, ponder for quite awhile, weighing all their options; gathering multiple pieces of data.   But, why we do all this "pondering" what is God doing?  In the above passage we see Joseph "pondering" what to do about Mary and the unexpected, only later to be learned, Godly pregnancy?    As Joseph weighs his options God sends a messenger, in this case, an angel, to assist him in his decision making.   It is great to know that why we "ponder" life's choices and decisions, God is active in communicating with us.   In today's age, I personally believe God uses His Word, or, HIs Word delivered by others around us to speak to us.  He loves to interact with us and speak to us.   He sends His Spirit to commune with us.   We only have to wait for the answer ... grrrrrr!!!   That is the tuff part: Waiting for His answer.   God still uses angels, though, perhaps not like Joseph experienced it (Hebrews 13).  We need to be careful to listen to what God has to say to us ... in any manner.   If Joseph refuses to listen to God by faith we have a different story.   We see that his willingness to listen to God's voice, via an angel, this time, makes God's plan happen.   God is speaking to us to accomplish His purpose and plan.   While we "weigh" our options in life, God is working and communicating to us.

What does God feel and do when we rebel? Isaiah 1-6

Isaiah 1:2

Listen, O heavens, and hear, O earth;

For the Lord speaks,

“ Sons I have reared and brought up,

But they have revolted against Me.

Have you ever had a child act rebellious to you?   Have you wondered what it is like for God when we disobey Him?   Simply compare the answers to these two questions.   God had chosen Abraham among all the people of the earth to make a great nation out of them ... Israel.   They (the Israelites) didn't have any choice in the manner (Romans 9-11).   Abraham was not chosen because he was so special, but because God wanted Him!!   God gave him and the nation everything.  They were His chosen children.  He adopted them.  He gave them His name; His blessing; His law; His covenants; His promises (Romans 9:1-8).   They were the apple of His eye.   Yet, they rebelled against Him.   They turned their back on Him.  That is what Isaiah is all about.   It is about a God whose children turned their back in rebellion and God disciplines them.   God brings His wrath around them and on them.    And, then, more toward the end of the book then the beginning, He tells of His grace.  He tells of a remnant that will receive grace and be rich with His salvation.   If you ever wondered what it is like for God when we rebel, think of what happens when God gives us everything and we turn out back on Him, like the nation of Israel.   You have probably thought, at times, that here is your son or daughter and you gave them life, food, clothing, housing, support, care, material possessions and then they rebel and revolt.   You hurt is unmearsurable.   Yet, that is how our walking contrary to God would feel toward Him.  Still, He is willing to forgive.    

Perhaps a second lesson here is that God has provided everything the nation needs in the perfect motive and manner and yet they still revolt.   When you and I give to our kids we can have wrong motives.  We can have improper "parenting" manners.    They might have a good reason to rebel from our failed fathering/mothering.   But, God was the perfect Father ... yet, His children still rebelled.  Rebellion is in the heart man.  Despite the perfect Parent they walked away, revolting.   God, the Father, didn't stop them, but He did discipline them.   God will react when we walk contrary to His will.   If you wonder what God feels or does when we walk away from him, think of your own children.  They might walk away from the perfect parenting (which we are not).  Like God, we should discipline in love and be ready to bring them back at a moment notice.