Contending With God - Job 38-40 and Acts 16:1-21
We all need to learn the lesson that Job learned here. He thought he wanted to meet with God and question why God decided to send the trials into his life. Then, when God showed up and began to speak to him, Job realized his inadequacy. In fact, Job felt vile compared to God. We might think we could just rejoice in God's presence, but our first reaction to the presence of God is to feel very unworthy. We realize our total inferiority to God. It was then that Job realized that he had nothing to say to God, but God asked him a series of questions to drive home his point. He questioned Job on the creation of the world, on the natural laws, and the laws governing the animals. In each case Job knew nothing compared to God. Finally, God asked Job if he wanted to correct Him? Job had to say that he had no answer. He learned that the problem with contending with God is that we have to prove that God is wrong and we are right. That is impossible, since God is never wrong. Therefore, we must drop the idea of contending with God, and we must decide to agree with God.
Paul learned a similar lesson on the second missionary journey. He tried to go where he wanted to go, and the Holy Spirit stopped him. In other words, God said no! Paul could have argued with God, but he did not. He listened to God after God stopped him. He saw a vision, and he followed the Lord's call to Europe and the area of Macedonia. This was God's will for Paul, but he only knew it when he was willing to listen to God, instead of contending with God. Have you learned this lesson yet, or are you still trying to argue with God? Do you still think you could prove God wrong? Just stop and tell God that you know He is always right, and ask Him to show you His will. Assure Him that you will do whatever He wants you to do, and you will endure any suffering with His grace and power. Then, God can bless your life abundantly.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Job 41-42 and Acts 16:22-40.
Paul learned a similar lesson on the second missionary journey. He tried to go where he wanted to go, and the Holy Spirit stopped him. In other words, God said no! Paul could have argued with God, but he did not. He listened to God after God stopped him. He saw a vision, and he followed the Lord's call to Europe and the area of Macedonia. This was God's will for Paul, but he only knew it when he was willing to listen to God, instead of contending with God. Have you learned this lesson yet, or are you still trying to argue with God? Do you still think you could prove God wrong? Just stop and tell God that you know He is always right, and ask Him to show you His will. Assure Him that you will do whatever He wants you to do, and you will endure any suffering with His grace and power. Then, God can bless your life abundantly.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Job 41-42 and Acts 16:22-40.