Day 42 - All-Knowing God

Day 42
Job 38-40, Matthew 4

Arguing with God is so easy to do, especially when life seems unfair. We question God's motive and wonder why He would let bad things happen to us. We see Job struggle with this as well as his friends on his behalf. But when God rebuttals and makes Job realize just how all-knowing He is, Job is left practically speechless and ashamed.

When we question God, it is important to remember that He knows everything. Every details of our lives is planned out and set ahead of us, as well as the big picture of His perfect plan. We can question all we want, but it won't change this fact. Just because God speaks audibly to Job (as it seems), doesn't mean He doesn't speak to us, through His Word, wise counsel around us, through nature, etc. He leaves us reminders all over to help us through and call us back to Him.

As Jesus is tempted in the wilderness by Satan, we see just how well He knows the scriptures to avoid the temptation. There is something major to be pointed out here - Jesus is tired and hungry. Isn't this when we are at our weakest moments in life? We tend to make irrational decisions when we are hurt, hungry, angry, tired, or lonely. (H.A.L.T) Because Jesus quotes scripture, we see that He remembers His Father's words and has them embedded into His life. And while we can expect this from the Son of God, it doesn't mean we shouldn't take note of this and embed the Word into our lives as well, to be reminded in the weak moments of God's all-knowing characteristic.

As the followers come to Jesus as He begins His ministry, we can take example from them in considering what and who we will follow in this life. We can follow the unknown things that know nothing about our lives, or we can follow an all-knowing, all-powerful God, Who cares for us deeper than anyone else ever could.

God knows where our lives are heading. He can pinpoint the days ahead and lay out spectacular plans. He knows all! He knows the intricate details of our lives and the big picture of His perfect plan for all of eternity. Knowing Him and embedding His Word into our lives will help us when things get tough. Follow the One Who cares the most for you, rather than the temporary things in this world and the people that disappoint. He knows your heart and He knows what you need in this very moment.

Day 41 - Wonder

Day 41
Job 36-37, Matthew 3

I have a song that is completely ingrained in me since returning from the Dominican a couple weeks ago. Maybe you have heard it - "Wonder" by Bethel. Some of the words that repeat are:
"May we never lose our wonder. 
Wide-eyed and mystified, may we be just like a child, staring at the beauty of our King."

I find such beauty in this song since hearing it for the first time in the midst of a poverty-stricken community. I can see what Elihu is getting at here when he goes through all of the wonderful things God has accomplished in nature. We can't help but wonder how His plan comes together and becomes His best work when we are at the bottom of the hole like Job. He has commanded the lightening, created gorgeous store-houses in the snow and He can surely create beautiful things in us.

I think the more we wonder about God and His ideas, we draw nearer to Him. John the Baptist creates a great sense of wonder when he prepares the way for the Savior. People aren't sure what to believe, but it sure got them wondering what was going to happen. Then Jesus turns the tables on John and asks that he baptize Him. John is at a loss and feels like it should be the other way around.

We can sure wonder at times about our situation and what God's plan is in the end. If this Mighty God can create a home for the birds and make everything so intricate, He can surely work the same way with us, who He finds much more important than birds and nature. Jesus' ways weren't like that of our world. They sure contradict what we are surrounded by. But when we continue to wonder about His teachings and put them into practice, we can grow and be unashamed of who we are in Him. May we never lose our wonder.

Day 40- Seek Him

Day 40
Job 34-35, Matthew 2

 Even though reading parts of the Christmas story right now may seem funny, the concepts most definitely still apply! Even in Job's situation, we can tie together these two books of the Bible.

As the wise men traveled far to seek their Savior, we need to understand that these men were much like the "unchurched" in today's world. They were "looking for something" meaningful, as many who are seeking meaning do. The wise men were not the high of the society, but they still went to Christ, outwitting King Herod in the meantime.

Once they found Him, they brought Him gifts and worshiped Him. The process here is stunning. Seek, give, worship. There is no reason this can't apply in today's world. People are looking for something - a meaning, a fix, a way to live. We can pound Jesus into their heads all we want, but it won't matter until they experience Him themselves. One person's word doesn't mean much when you come from a life of disappointment and life falling apart.

Once you find Him, and give Him your all, the amazing things begin to blossom in life, and we can't help but worship.

We need to seek Him in every situation. I'm sure you know by now that situations like Job's require a lot of heart searching and remembering Who you serve. His friends could take this to heart too. Seeking Christ will lead you to the best advice, and give you words to live by. Rather than repeating over and over again how arrogant Job was, and how sinful he was, his friends could have had the truth revealed to them if they just opened their eyes instead of their egos.

Are you seeking something right now? Is the meaning of life something that is just blurry to you? Look for something different, something eternal and something that is completely worthwhile. In everything you do, seek Him! Finding your place in Christ's plan can cause amazing awe in your life, and you can't help but worship because of the amazing things He as done.

Day 39- Victory

Day 39

Psalm 20-22

We read David's powerful words to His God, as he celebrates victory over his enemies thanks to God's hand. The power portrayed in David's words give us a glimpse of the God we serve and have by our sides. It is interesting in Psalm 22 where it foreshadows to Jesus' death. David's life felt hopeless, much like that time for Jesus and His disciples, but as you know, victory was the moral of the story, and it can be your story too. 

Have you celebrated the victories God has given you? Whether they are big or small victories, they are worthy of praising Him for them. With the rest of your quiet time, reflect on the victories God has given you. Celebrate and praise Him for them! If you're in a rut, pray for God's victory. Trust in Him to show you a marvelous light through it all! 

Day 38 - Own It

Day 38
Job 32-33, Matthew 1

We see how God takes ordinary people to do extraordinary things and make wonderful points. Matthew leads up to the birth of Jesus through people who weren't all that holy. As you will see as we make our way through the Word, however, is that God used these people to bring the Savior!

Trudging through life, and trying to cope in "survival mode" seems to be a theme for many. We get through a day and move onto the next one, not really looking back or looking ahead. When we hit a wall and mess up, we figure we are unworthy or done with what God had planned for us, but the truth of the matter is those moments are when God can shine in you most.

Even in Job's situation, God will move in extraordinary ways. He has a plan, He has a plan, He has a plan! Despite how people judge you and what they think about the situation you are in, He is ultimately the One in control.

Each of the names leading up the Christ's birth had a story and they had hardships. There are no perfect people, nor are there easy lives, but these people, whether you had heard of them or not, played a huge role in bringing Christ to the world. No matter how insignificant you feel or how messed up you think your life is, God will use you!

Joseph, Mary's husband, was a great example of owning his situation. Because Mary had gotten pregnant (Joseph was unaware of how until the angel came to him) he had made plans to leave Mary quietly. In this culture, this was a big deal. Mary could have been stoned to death if Joseph had blown the whistle on her being a "cheater", before knowing the whole story. But Joseph, we read, takes ownership and he "took" Mary to be his wife. This word "took" means to take (receive) by showing strong personal initiative. Joseph owned this situation and stayed in God's plan!

Where are you finding yourself in life today? No matter how insignificant you feel, or how mundane your days are, remember, God is using them for a greater purpose. You may feel like your life is so messed up and there is no fixing it, but God has a plan! We see all the "messed up" people He used to bring us a Savior! He will do greatness in and through you too! Own this day and your situation. Own your life!

Day 37-Getting Over Yourself

Day 37
Job 30-31

The pride that stirs in our culture is very evident. While pride alone isn't bad, it is where pride can lead us that causes issues. Galatians 5:3 says that "you are not too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important."

I don't point this out to cause you to completely trample yourself and not find value in who you are, but to remind you of the gentle nature we are to have in a world that thrives on "being the best". Humility gives you those eyes to see the needs around you. Living in a self-absorbed bubble blurs what you see when you look out it.

Job was a man of great humility. Though he was rich, blessed and had everything he could have ever needed and wanted, he still helped others and was righteous in the Lord's eyes. Job rants on about what he has accomplished and had, but he pads that with God is God and always will be. We cannot judge the Lord and we surely can't change the way of His plan.

Our Galatians reading today tells us to bear each others' burdens, and as we reflect back to Job's friends, we can see that they didn't do such a lovely job at that. They tended to throw Job over the coals for things he wasn't guilty of, rather than simply listening and being humble towards him. As Galatians states, don't follow what people tell you to do, as they are trying to get the credit for your works, but follow what Christ is telling you to do, because our boast should be in the cross alone.

If your life is all about what you can do for you, rather than humbling yourself to help others, you have received your reward. Having open eyes and a heart for the hurting around you, and finding your pride only in Christ and what He has done for us all will put you and the ones you help on the right path."As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified and the world's interest in me has also died. It doesn't matter what you do. What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation."

Day 36 - God's Perspective

Day 36
Job 28-29, Galatians 5

The way that Job explains and builds up to how valuable and precious God's wisdom is sure shows us how important it is to chase after it. Job knows that we have an All-Knowing God, Who has reasons for everything that we endure and will make great things out of it. Job points out how God has planned paths for lightening, shows the wind how hard to blow, and He knows the outcome of our daily lives. God has this wisdom beyond comprehension that is incomparable to anything else in this world!

As Job reflects back over the good life he had before everything fell apart, I don't think it is coincidence that he prefaced this with speaking of God's wisdom and how precious it is. Job knows that God has reasons and plans for everything. Our minds can't fathom what God can do in the midst of chaos and darkness. We see how respected of a man Job was and how wonderful his life was. My question and challenge for you is this: If you had a like like Job had had before all the chaos, would your faith be as strong?

In Galatians we read about finding freedom in Christ, and allowing the Spirit to empower our lives, rather than things of this world. When we find our grace and wisdom in Christ, we gain so much. The Spirit produces good kinds of fruit, as we read - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Anything that contradicts these in this world, are not from God, as it states "there is no law against these things."

When we allow these little pieces of the world to get into our lives, they become like yeast in bread and end up saturating our lives. Developing our character from the fruits of the Spirit in every aspect of our lives can help us to gain that perspective of God. He wants every part of us.

When we open up our all to Him, we begin to saturate our lives in His wisdom, perspective and grace. We can hang onto a piece of our lives and keep it from Him, but that little piece still makes us who we are as a whole. Not giving it all over to God can cause us to miss out on the full picture of God's greatness and plan for our lives. Soak up His wisdom and live in the power of His Spirit, embracing every turn in life that can grow you.