Skip to main content

January 15 Sometimes Hidden


By wisdom the Lord laid the earth’s foundations, by understanding He set the heavens in place. By His knowledge the deeps were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew. ~Proverbs 3:19-20

 Then the Lord answered Job out of the storm. “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundations? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone—while the morning stars sang together, and all the angels shouted for joy? Who shut up the sea behind doors when it burst forth from the womb, when I made the clouds its garment and wrapped it in thick darkness, when I fixed limits for it and set its doors and bars in place, when I said, “This far you may come, and no further; here is where your proud waves halt.”” ~Job 38:1, 4-11.

 Then Job replied to the Lord: “I know that You can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted. You asked, “Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?” Surely, I spoke of things I do not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. You said, “Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.” My ears had heard of You but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore, I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.” ~Job 42:1-6

 Now there is a wise man! That wisdom was bought at a high price, one that I don’t think I’d necessarily want to pay, but Job definitely demonstrates here that he learned his lesson. I find it fascinating that we live in an age in which the people who are supposed to be the wisest among us try to explain everything in a way that does not include God as the creator. Hearing explanations for life that range from accidents to aliens, anything but a wise creator, just amaze me.

In my own personal testimony, it was the fact that all the claims made about evolution just didn’t add up. I finally felt that I had learned enough science to see that science couldn’t really explain how this beautiful, complex, universe could possibly be an accident without a designer. Science couldn’t really explain how things started and barely explains how things work. That caused me to begin believing in a creator and, eventually seek Him out. You can imagine my thrill when I learned that the amazing creator wanted a personal relationship with me!

 The Psalmist, David says: “The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” (Both Psalms 14 & 53:1) Job at least acknowledged that there was a creator, but he thought more along the lines that God was more of a super-human that could be argued with. In the end, he stated the truth, gained from the wisdom he had obtained from what he experienced. God not only has wisdom, He is wisdom. He cannot be parted from it. He designed everything by His wisdom, giving everything, including us, the pinnacle of His creation, purpose.

 We all want to have purposeful lives. Often, our purpose is hidden from us as we experience the winding roads of life that seem to lead to nowhere. Trust God that even those winding roads are helping to grow wisdom and purpose. The hardest task may be to keep moving forward. God, however, knows what He’s doing and knows why He allows hard experiences to touch our lives. He never explained to Job the reasons for all he went through. But Job was finally able to accept the fact that God knew what He was doing and could be trusted. That may be our story as well. But I do believe that if not now, then in eternity, we will have our answers, if it still matters that we know.

 Prayer: Lord, thank You that, because of You, I can be sure that my life does have purpose and significance. Even if I don't quite know exactly what they are, it's a reality because You create with purpose and everything you make has significance! It's good to be alive. It's great to know You! In Jesus' name, amen.

 Song: Haven't Seen it Yet

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

211. The Sons of Thunder's Request

Matthew 20:20-28 , Mark 10:35-45 , Key verse: "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all." Mark 10:43B-44 In our readings for yesterday, in which Jesus outlined what was about to happen to Him, for His disciples, the passage in Luke ends: "The disciples did not understand any of this. It's meaning was hidden from them, and they did not know what He was talking about." ( Luke 18:34 ) Now, we see just how truly clueless they were. Jesus had laid out a plan before them of pain and suffering and death and now James and John are focused on a promotion. The disconnect is so obvious. It's really not important to know whether James and john came up with this request on their own or if their mother put them up to it. The request was made and James and John thought that they could handle the responsibility that would come with it. What is that saying, "Fools rush in where angels fe...
Post a Comment
Read more

204. Come Like a Child

Psalm 127 , Matthew 19:13-15 , Luke 18:15-17 , Mark 10:13-16 Key Verse: Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew 19:14 The attitude of the disciples isn't much different than the attitude of many people, even Christians, today. Instead of seeing children as a blessing from the Lord, too many regard them as a burden to bear that gets in the way of our own selfish happiness. Family size is determined by what we think we can afford rather than openness to God's blessing, trusting God to provide. Satan hates children. Children represent innocence. The sooner he can corrupt and or damage a child, the happier he is. This is why Jesus warned in Matthew 18:6: "If anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drown in the depths of the sea." To corrupt or damage ...
Post a Comment
Read more

174. Pleading for the Fig Tree

Proverbs 27:18 , Luke 13:6-9 Key Verse: He who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who looks after his master will be honored. Proverbs 27:18 We have here three main characters: a master, who acquired the tree in hopes of eventually enjoying its fruit, a servant, who looks to the tree to reflect his care and attention, and lastly, the tree itself. The master has the right to expect his investment to pay off. The servant, who has obviously put much effort into the tree, would also like to see fruit. The servant's interest is not only to show his own talent in gardening, but because he wants to please his master. Both the servant and the master are dependent upon the tree to do what it was designed to do. Their little parable is an interesting way for Jesus to finish off His exhortation to, "repent or perish."  God is the Master. He had a purpose for you before you were even born. ( Jeremiah 1:5 & Psalm 139:16 ) He planted you on this earth to ful...
Post a Comment
Read more