July 2, 2006 - Job 22-24 and Acts 11
Some of the most difficult times in life are when other people do not understand your motives or what you have done, so they question you or condemn you. There is very little you can do to convince them of the truth. The main consolation is that God knows the truth. The most important thing is that you stand in integrity before God, not that you convince other people. I pray that you will let the Lord speak to you about integrity before Him today as you read these passages.
In chapter 22 Eliphaz accuses Job of being wicked. His conclusion is that Job would not be having such problems unless he had done something very bad. This cuts Job to the heart, because he knows that his conclusion is not true. Look at verse 4. It was because of Job's fear of God that these things were happening to him, but it would have been impossible to convince anyone of that fact. Only God knew why these things were happening. That is why God is the only perfect judge for all people.
Job responds in chapters 23 and 24 by agreeing with Eliphaz about the wicked, but maintaining his own righteousness before God. I am sure the words he spoke seemed hollow to his friends. I am sure this added to the pain that Job was feeling. Have you ever felt alone, because no one understood you, and everyone was condemning you? It is a terrible feeling. However, if you have been true to God, He will sustain you in the integrity of your heart. That is the most important thing to maintain, not what others think about you.
Acts 11 has two examples of this. Peter has to explain his fellowship with Gentiles and his preaching to Cornelius' group. The people in Jerusalem thought he just went off on his own and that he had broken God's law. That was wrong. He had to tell them his vision. I doubt if everyone believed him, but he did what God told him to do. That was enough. Then, Barnabas had to go check out the revival at Antioch. God was doing a great work, but many were skeptical. I don't know if they were ever convinced either, but the main thing was that God's will was being done. Is that the focus of your life? In Acts 10 and in Acts 11 Peter said that the Spirit told him to go to Cornelius. Do you follow the Spirit or do you go by what others think? It is always best to follow the Spirit and to stand in integrity before the Lord.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Job 25-27 and Acts 12.
In chapter 22 Eliphaz accuses Job of being wicked. His conclusion is that Job would not be having such problems unless he had done something very bad. This cuts Job to the heart, because he knows that his conclusion is not true. Look at verse 4. It was because of Job's fear of God that these things were happening to him, but it would have been impossible to convince anyone of that fact. Only God knew why these things were happening. That is why God is the only perfect judge for all people.
Job responds in chapters 23 and 24 by agreeing with Eliphaz about the wicked, but maintaining his own righteousness before God. I am sure the words he spoke seemed hollow to his friends. I am sure this added to the pain that Job was feeling. Have you ever felt alone, because no one understood you, and everyone was condemning you? It is a terrible feeling. However, if you have been true to God, He will sustain you in the integrity of your heart. That is the most important thing to maintain, not what others think about you.
Acts 11 has two examples of this. Peter has to explain his fellowship with Gentiles and his preaching to Cornelius' group. The people in Jerusalem thought he just went off on his own and that he had broken God's law. That was wrong. He had to tell them his vision. I doubt if everyone believed him, but he did what God told him to do. That was enough. Then, Barnabas had to go check out the revival at Antioch. God was doing a great work, but many were skeptical. I don't know if they were ever convinced either, but the main thing was that God's will was being done. Is that the focus of your life? In Acts 10 and in Acts 11 Peter said that the Spirit told him to go to Cornelius. Do you follow the Spirit or do you go by what others think? It is always best to follow the Spirit and to stand in integrity before the Lord.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Job 25-27 and Acts 12.