Saturday, 28 January 2017 04:00

Breakthrough 93: Day 28

Written by Pastor Nelson Jones

Yesterday we talked about one of the most feared stories of the Bible, the story of Job. The core message is, 'we trust who God is when we don't understand what God does!'

Job had no idea why he was going through what he was going through. His three friends tried to convince him that he must have done some great wrong. They ended up being wrong and were confronted by God for misrepresenting himself. Through what Job goes through he receives the greatest revelation anybody can, a deeper understanding of who God really is!

God asks Job a series of questions that reveal his majesty and glory, to which Job responds this way:

Then Job replied to the LORD:" I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you. You asked,' who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?' It is I - and I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me. You said, 'listen and I will speak! I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.' I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes. I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance."

Job 42:1-6 NLT

Heaven seen through the lens of earth leaves us with insufficient perspective and comfort. Earth seen through the lens of heaven brings us a perspective that comforts. Not because we have full explanations of what God does, but because we see a greater revelation of who God is! When you struggle with understanding God's hand and question his fairness and justice, your need is not for his explanation, you need a deeper revelation of who he is!

I sent this devotional to James for an opinion to make sure it was clear and to check for punctuation, below was his response. I thought it was so good, it has to be part of todays devotional.

I think that everybody at times, and many at all times, give ourselves too much credit. Relying on our intelligence, skills, wisdom and understanding to solve problems and/or push forward in our lives. I think the key to using any of these gifts effectively is perspective. If we're operating only from our own perspective (through the lens of earth to heaven), our view, and therefore intentions, are self-centred. But when we see God's view, it's hard to stay trapped inside of ourselves. The context for which we use all of our gifts changes. What we want changes. If we're trying to understand God by his works only, we have a very broken picture and the best we can do is make guesses and assumptions about 'why' from our own limited and self-interested perspective. If we know who God is, we can see the root of those actions through the loving and merciful lens of truth and eternal affects. Nobody can trust or take comfort in seemingly random or unjust events. All can trust and take comfort in knowing the true character of God.

- James Sisco

I encourage you to keep the conversation going! Leave your thoughts in the comments section below. I do read them!

Last modified on Tuesday, 14 February 2017 13:25

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2 comments

  • Comment Link Gordon Ford Saturday, 28 January 2017 09:35 posted by Gordon Ford

    Very well put, thank you both for putting together this great series.

  • Comment Link TMoney Harder Saturday, 28 January 2017 05:56 posted by TMoney Harder

    So good. Excellent perspective or the subject. It really broke it down for me thanks.