Be still. . . .

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth give way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah (Psalm 46:1–3, 10–11)

As I read this, the upstairs television features a podcast with a few people discussing world events with strong opinions of what is happening and how to fix it. They are anxious and worried. 

Downstairs my Bible features a song of faith that initially fixes the fear then gives solutions such as: “There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.” (Vs. 4–5)
He can do this because He is “the Lord of hosts” and “with us” and “our fortress.” “He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire.” (Vs. 9)

On a Sunday morning, the sun is shining, trees leaf out, birds sing. They know nothing of the wars and struggles or the major problems that plague the human mind. The cosmos, even the sparrows and trees thrive in the care of their Maker. They know how to be still in the knowledge of God. And we humans are supposed to be made in His image and rated as the highest in His creation?

What fools we are to create strife and problems because of our own selfishness and then argue and even scream at each other trying to fix it, still with our own selfish ideas and goals. Instead of being still and trusting God.

Lord Jesus, we need a revival of renewed faith, of awareness and conviction of such sinfulness, of repentance that is deeply serious and able to be still and know You, the One who can make all things right and at peace. Visit us and be exalted in this twisted up place called earth.

 

Did the devil make this happen?

In reading about God’s dominion over all things, I’m encouraged to trust Him even more by reminders that all evil spirits are subject to His authority. Job comes to mind as everything that Satan did to harm this man and take from him the evidences of God's goodness happened only because God gave this evil enemy permission to do it. 

That OT book reveals that when terrible things happen, God is not oblivious. He has a purpose, just as the NT says:

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. (Romans 8:28–29)

While I know that if God gave sinners what we deserve, we who trust Him would not be enjoying His mercy and grace, but as Charnock says, the evil devils “have cast themselves out of the arms of his grace into the furnace of His justice” and by their revolt, forfeited the treasure of his goodness. But they cannot escape from the realm of His dominion.

This applies not only to evil spirits but to all who refuse to own Him as Lord and Father. Instead, they are under Him as Lord and Judge and not set free from His rule.

Just as a human ruler is lord over his criminals as well as of his loyalest subjects, so God has this same rule over all. Job’s story tells me that God uses wickedness to do His will, not by their authority but by His.

Even when criminals and sinners refuse to live under God, those who punish them or pull them into the consequences of sin, it is not about the power of anyone else. No one can say that the devil made them do it or the devil is punishing them, because when the devil is used by God for the punishment of any, it is an act of His sovereignty to make evident His justice. Many nations use vile people to do their dirty work with their natural malice but for His own purposes. 

That is, God can use evil beings to execute His judgments upon their followers, as well as sometimes inflict discipline upon His own servants. No matter what is happening, God has reason and purpose because He is sovereign. Think of it: He ordered the destroying nature of fire to preserve His three children, and let it loose to consume their adversaries.

And the satraps, the prefects, the governors, and the king’s counselors gathered together and saw that the fire had not had any power over the bodies of those men. The hair of their heads was not singed, their cloaks were not harmed, and no smell of fire had come upon them. (Daniel 3:27)

Jesus ordered storms to cease because, “You rule the raging of the sea; when its waves rise, You still them.” (Psalm 89:9) His dominion extends over the highest ruler and the lowest peasant; the proudest millionaire and the poorest beggar. He “shows no partiality to princes, nor regards the rich more than the poor, for they are all the work of his hands.” (Job 34:19)
In innocence, or in revolt, I am under His authority, whether I obey or violate His will. He even orders where I live. (Acts 17:26)

History shows human pride designing and attempting to rule, politicians and religious figures alike, yet none can do it because God’s authority cannot be surpassed.

PRAY: Lord, in these days when leaders spar as if they are the ultimate monarchs or will be, You laugh at them (Psalm 2) knowing how foolish are such notions. Yet fear strikes many that tyrants will ruin our lives. As I read of Your dominion and yield to it, fear walks out the door and my heart laughs too. Who can out-do God Almighty? You gave me the ability to say NO to evil and evil ideas, and YES to Your will and purposes. Grant discernment and faith to know which is which and to laugh with You at the vanity that hits the news. May I see it knowing that no matter what is going on, You are pure goodness and righteousness, and You remain on the throne — nothing happens without Your permission and Your righteous good will.



 

Stick up for the truth

 

 

READ Job 21-24

These days are filled with supposes. Helped by social media, these imaginations become fact and even conspiracies. The capacity of human suspicion to become true in the minds of those who make up reasons for events and motivations has reached an all-time high. Opposing theories may contain a measure of truth and those caught in the middle are dismayed by a polarization we seldom experienced before now.

Yet this happened in the book of Job. One man’s faith is tested. Unknown to him, Satan gained permission from God to make a guinea pig out of Job to prove that no one would trust the Lord unless the Lord blessed his life with good things. Couple that with the human tendency to think that good comes to the good and suffering comes to those who deserve it, and Job was attacked by those who were called his ‘friends’.

In chapter 21, Job is so frustrated with their insistence that his misery is due to his wickedness, that he says: “Keep listening to my words, and let this be your comfort. Bear with me, and I will speak, and after I have spoken, mock on.” (Job 21:2–3) He seems to have given up on trying to convince them of their error concerning his problems and takes a run at their error in thinking only the wicked suffer. He points out that many evil people live in ease and prosperity, not all, but this notion that only the wicked suffer is wrong. After pointing that out, he says, “How then will you comfort me with empty nothings? There is nothing left of your answers but falsehood.” (Job 21:34)

Eliphaz answers him with surprising vehemence. His accusations against Job are shocking. Some of what he says may apply in other situations, but he is shooting at the wrong target. Isn’t this a common practice? Today’s newspaper is filled with blame misdirected. In Job’s situation, this “you are guilty” attitude overrides any compassion that should have been there for a man hurting without any obvious reasons for his pain.

But Job is not stupidly listening to them. He knows these accusations are not true. He knows the grace of God’s salvation and that his life is not the reason for his suffering. He is deeply aware and deeply troubled that God knows — but is silent. That silence is as painful as the sores on his body and the losses of his children and his possessions. Note the gems in this declaration he makes:

“Behold, I go forward, but he is not there, and backward, but I do not perceive him; on the left hand when he is working, I do not behold him; he turns to the right hand, but I do not see him. But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold. My foot has held fast to his steps; I have kept his way and have not turned aside. I have not departed from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food. But he is unchangeable, and who can turn him back? What he desires, that he does. For he will complete what he appoints for me, and many such things are in his mind. Therefore I am terrified at his presence; when I consider, I am in dread of him. God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me; yet I am not silenced because of the darkness, nor because thick darkness covers my face.” (Job 23:8–17)

Job knows that God knows. Job also knows he is being tested. He knows that he will pass the test and come through it — like pure gold eventually comes from the crucible. He knows God does not change and has reasons for what He is doing. This is a fearsome thing, but His silence and the darkness Job is experiencing has not stopped him from defending the truth that he knows. He is not being punished for some hidden sin!

He also knows the ways of God with those who seem to prosper but are sinful. He says,

“They wrong the barren, childless woman, and do no good to the widow. Yet God prolongs the life of the mighty by his power; they rise up when they despair of life. He gives them security, and they are supported, and his eyes are upon their ways. They are exalted a little while, and then are gone; they are brought low and gathered up like all others; they are cut off like the heads of grain. If it is not so, who will prove me a liar and show that there is nothing in what I say?” (Job 24:21–25)

I used to think that Job was a whiner, but now I see the man debating his ‘friends’ for truth. In the NT, God speaks telling readers to, “contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints” in response to those who perverted the grace of God. Job did that even in his great anguish. He gives me a great example to follow.