Faithful Understanding

 ¹ Then Job replied to the LORD:
 ² “I know that you can do all things;
   no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
³ You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’
   Surely I spoke of things I did not understand,
   things too wonderful for me to know.
 ⁴ “You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak;
   I will question you,
   and you shall answer me.’
⁵ My ears had heard of you
   but now my eyes have seen you.
⁶ Therefore I despise myself
   and repent in dust and ashes.”



Job 42:1-6


Job showed his faith & trust in God no matter how much those close to him (his wife & 3 friends) tried to convince him that everything bad was happening because of some sin.  He remained faithful but had to deal with a lot of stuff; to the point of wanting never to be born.  But Job did make a mistake in trying to understand Him and maybe a little pride started to seep in.  We will all encounter obstacles and challenges in our faith but we must always get back to this truth, His ways are not my ways and His thoughts are not my thoughts.  God knows what His plans are and He'll choose to share bits and pieces but we cannot fully know.  That's the mystery.


It's hard only knowing a little bit about what God wants from us.  But I then think about how much more problems and difficulties we'll have if we knew a little more.  How we could really do some damage to our own faith and others by trying to be God.  It reminds me of the movie, "Back to the Future" and how they shouldn't know too much about their future because it'll hurt their choices in the present.  God knows that if we know too much we'll rely less on Him and more of us... and that spells trouble.


Father God, thank You for knowing the past, present and future of each and every one of Your children.  Help us to be content and satisfied with our daily bread and not be jealous about what others have.  In Your Son's precious name I pray, Amen!

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Preheat My Heart

 ¹ Praise the LORD.^[a]
   Sing to the LORD a new song,
   his praise in the assembly of his faithful people.
 ² Let Israel rejoice in their Maker;
   let the people of Zion be glad in their King.
³ Let them praise his name with dancing
   and make music to him with timbrel and harp.
⁴ For the LORD takes delight in his people;
   he crowns the humble with victory.
⁵ Let his faithful people rejoice in this honor
   and sing for joy on their beds.



Psalm 149:1-5


This is the second to the last chapter in the book of Psalms and it seems like a recap of what king David would like us grasp; that there is a mighty joy we all should be excited about regardless of how we feel.  That joy carries us through our peaks and valleys.  We are reminded of our praises to Him who deserves it.


Highs and lows... I just can't seem to shake it in this life.  Things always come up... work, ministry, personal life.  All these challenges come and go making feel frustrated, happy & sometimes confused.  Where does God want me?  What's my next step?  I can't deny that I need to steward these areas well but what fuels these efforts is my praises.  Am I able to step into these challenges already armed with the Holy Spirit and the Joy of the LORD or am I stepping into situations only to cry out to God because I got myself into a jam?  I cannot wear Jesus after the battle's started, it must be before.


Father God, You deserve my best... my heart.  Forgive me as I continue to sin before You.  Help me reach down and press forward unto the mighty goal, running to win the race.  Help stir my passion and flame to serve You in eternal ways.  In the precious name of Jesus I pray, Amen!