July 4, 2006 - Job 28-29 and Acts 13:1-25
We need more wisdom today. On July 4, 2006 we need to realize that America needs more wisdom. Then, we need to acknowledge as Job did so long ago that wisdom comes from God. Man can't find it unless he goes to the source of all wisdom which is the Lord. We need to seek wisdom as individuals and as a country. We need to turn to the Lord and humbly ask for wisdom today. I hope that will be your prayer for yourself and for America.
In chapter 28 Job shows us the value of wisdom. He tells us that it comes from God. (v.23) Then, he defines wisdom as it was shown to him by God. Wisdom is the fear of the Lord and departing from evil. (v.28) In other words, to be wise a person must fully respect and obey God out of a righteous fear and depart from the evil that is the opposite of God. That is a great definition. How many people are living in that true wisdom today?
In chapter 29 Job looks back fondly on the days before he lost everything. He again tells us about his righteous life, and he let's us see the respect he had from other people because of his righteous life. This is not boasting. I think it is part of the grieving process, too. It is normal to look back as you grieve. It is normal to remember all of the good things. However, to work through all of the grief a person can't remain in the past. That will keep him or her from a healthy recovery. The main part of the grief process is to come out of the other side a better person for what you have learned. To do that the focus must be on the present and the future, but not on the past.
Acts 13 is a great application of wisdom. The prophets and teachers at Antioch fasted and prayed for God to show them His will. He did. He showed them that Barnabas and Saul were to be sent out as missionaries. They prayed for them and sent them out. What better way to acknowledge that wisdom comes from God than to pray for Him to reveal His will for your life? Then, when He shows you to do it. That is one of the wisest things a person can ever do. Baranbas and Saul did it well. They went in the synagogues and preached the Word of God. They stood up against false prophets. They won the proconsul to the Lord. They were successful, because they were acting as God directed them. They were living in God's wisdom, fearing Him and departing from evil. That is what God wants for all of us each day, not just for preachers.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Job 30-31 and Acts 13:26-52.
In chapter 28 Job shows us the value of wisdom. He tells us that it comes from God. (v.23) Then, he defines wisdom as it was shown to him by God. Wisdom is the fear of the Lord and departing from evil. (v.28) In other words, to be wise a person must fully respect and obey God out of a righteous fear and depart from the evil that is the opposite of God. That is a great definition. How many people are living in that true wisdom today?
In chapter 29 Job looks back fondly on the days before he lost everything. He again tells us about his righteous life, and he let's us see the respect he had from other people because of his righteous life. This is not boasting. I think it is part of the grieving process, too. It is normal to look back as you grieve. It is normal to remember all of the good things. However, to work through all of the grief a person can't remain in the past. That will keep him or her from a healthy recovery. The main part of the grief process is to come out of the other side a better person for what you have learned. To do that the focus must be on the present and the future, but not on the past.
Acts 13 is a great application of wisdom. The prophets and teachers at Antioch fasted and prayed for God to show them His will. He did. He showed them that Barnabas and Saul were to be sent out as missionaries. They prayed for them and sent them out. What better way to acknowledge that wisdom comes from God than to pray for Him to reveal His will for your life? Then, when He shows you to do it. That is one of the wisest things a person can ever do. Baranbas and Saul did it well. They went in the synagogues and preached the Word of God. They stood up against false prophets. They won the proconsul to the Lord. They were successful, because they were acting as God directed them. They were living in God's wisdom, fearing Him and departing from evil. That is what God wants for all of us each day, not just for preachers.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Job 30-31 and Acts 13:26-52.