Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways! For who can know the LORD’s thoughts? Who knows enough to give him advice? Romans 11:33–34 Despite all of our searching and study of the Scriptures, we’ll never be able to see […]
Read MoreTag Archives: Job
God Will Exalt You at the Proper Time
So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 1 Peter 5:6–7 In the Old Testament, God’s hand symbolizes two things. The first is discipline (Exodus 3:20, Job 30:21, Psalm […]
Read MoreVictory
Picture for a moment the barrenness and bleakness that happens in a life when compromise occurs. It doesn’t come immediately. At first it’s fun to run with the wrong crowd. There’s some zip, a little excitement; there’s a measure of thrill and pizzazz in being a part of the in-group. But inevitably the fleshly investment starts to yield its carnal dividends. And when that happens you suffer as you’ve never suffered before.
Read MoreLaughter
I know, I know—”life is serious business.” If I hear that one more time, I think I’ll gag. I fully realize that too much humor can become offensive. I recognize that it can be taken to such an extreme that it is inappropriate. But doesn’t it seem we have a long way to go before we are guilty of that problem? The final result of a joyless existence is sad—a superhigh-level intensity
Read MoreMy Redeemer Lives!
But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last. —Job 19:25 (NLT) Too often Christians try to take the hideousness out of death. In doing so, however, we cut short the grieving process. We’re so eager to rush to the end and show the hope […]
Read MoreAfter the Avalanche, Part Two
Could it be that you are beginning to feel the nick of falling rocks? Maybe the avalanche has already fallen and you’re more than a little desperate. Job is our model for staying faithful when life is reduced to rubble. How’d he do it? Let’s take a look. First, Job claimed God’s loving sovereignty. He sincerely believed that the Lord who gave had every right to take away (Job 1:21).
Read MoreAfter the Avalanche, Part One
Job could write about wounds. His words were more than patronizing platitudes and armchair proverbs. He’d been there and back again. He could describe intense inner suffering in the first person because of his own sea of pain. Step into the time tunnel with me and let’s travel together back to Uz (not like the wizard of ___, but like the land of __).
Read MoreLifelines
I’m writing these words [originally] soon after my birthday. No big deal . . . just another stabbing realization that I’m not getting any younger. I know that because the cake won’t hold all the candles. Even if it could the frosting would melt before I’d be able to blow all of them out. My kind and thoughtful secretary reminded me of another approach I could take.
Read MoreChoose God’s Will
A major goal of wholesome, healthy Christians is the hope of reaching maturity before death overtakes us. I will tell you without hesitation that one of my major goals in life is to grow up as I grow older.
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