Things I Cannot Understand

Martha Stewart.com


Things I Cannot Understand
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1, by Os Hillman


"Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know." Job 42:3b

If there was any one man on earth who had reason to question God's love, it was Job. He lost his family, his health, and his wealth - all at the same time. His friends came to his side only to question his spirituality. God had already answered the question of his integrity. Job was described in the opening verses of the book as "blameless and upright" (see Job 1:1). His calamities were not born from sin. Job acknowledged God's right to do anything in his life until one day he could take it no longer. He questioned God's motives.

God answered Job, but not in the way he wanted to hear. God answered him with a series of questions that represents the most incredible discourse of correction by God to any human being. Three chapters later, Job realized that he had questioned the motives of the Author of the universe, the Author of love. He fell flat before his Creator and realized his total depravity. "Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know."

Have you ever questioned God's activity in your life? Have you questioned His love for you based on circumstances that came your way? The cross at Calvary answers the love question. He sent His own Son in replacement for your sin. If you were the only person on earth, He would have done the same. His ways cannot always be understood or reconciled in our finite minds. That must be left for a future time when all will be understood. For now, entrust your life to Him completely. Embrace Him in the hard times and the good.


Today's Prayer

Dear Lord, The old hymn "Faith of Our Fathers" played in my mind today. I want to thank you that the faith of many fathers lives on. I want to thank you for the faith of those who influenced and touched my life so that I, too, might have faith in you. Thank you for your word that sheds light and provides hope. Please strengthen me and grant me courage and wisdom to live such a life and take such actions that I may influence and touch other people's lives with your great love and mercy, that they may know that you are God, the Almighty who created us and loves us still, and that they may come to know Jesus Christ as their Savior also. Please reign in my life now and forevermore. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Today God Is First (TGIF) devotional message, Copyright by Os Hillman, Marketplace Leaders.






The Conflict
Dr. Charles Stanley


2 Timothy 4:6-8

Spiritual combat is going on all the time. It is important for believers to be aware of this conflict in order to battle sin effectively and live in a manner pleasing to the Lord.

The struggle exists in three areas. First, we have an internal enemy. Ever since the fall in the garden of Eden, the human heart does not naturally seek after God. But His Spirit can draw us and move our thoughts toward Him. However, even after salvation, we will have the capacity to do wrong as long as we remain in this carnal body. Scripture names evidence of the old "flesh" patterns at work within us, such as immorality, impurity, jealousy, and outbursts of anger (Gal. 5:19-20).

Second, there exists an external enemy: the system of ungodly beliefs, attitudes, and philosophies all around us. First John 2:15 gives a stern warning: "If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." As believers in Jesus, we should be salt and light to the society around us while not allowing its ways to influence our thoughts or behavior.

Third, there's an infernal enemy—namely, Satan. His desire is to dishonor God and to gain victory over the Lord's kingdom. We know from Scripture that this will not happen, but the conflict will continue until the final days mentioned in Revelation.

Be aware of these three enemies. You wouldn't sleep in the midst of a raging war, and neither should you live without awareness in the daily spiritual battle. Today's passage gives the specifics for standing firm in Christ: Arm yourself with God's Word, and seek His protection and wisdom.

For more biblical teaching and resources from Dr. Charles Stanley, please visit www.intouch.