The Word for today: Job 8:1 -- 9:24
mark this : 8:3
mark this : 8:3
Who brought suffering into the world?
When God looked over all that He'd created, He saw that it was very good (1). Creation is a reflection of God's character, and there is no unrighteousness in Him (2).
So where did the suffering come from?
When I look back, I cannot say about my life what God could say about His creation.
And though I cannot see into your heart like I can see into mine, the Bible teaches that none of us--no, not one (3)--is blameless:
The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time (4).
What's wrong with the world is you, and I--and Job. With our sin came the sorrow and the suffering--for ourselves and others.
Hold that thought--because the first step on any man's way back to God is the realization that he, himself, is the problem. No one but the sinner will turn to the cross of Jesus Christ.
(1) Genesis 1:31; (2) Psalm 92:15; (3) Psalm 53:3; (4) Genesis 6:5
When God looked over all that He'd created, He saw that it was very good (1). Creation is a reflection of God's character, and there is no unrighteousness in Him (2).
So where did the suffering come from?
When I look back, I cannot say about my life what God could say about His creation.
And though I cannot see into your heart like I can see into mine, the Bible teaches that none of us--no, not one (3)--is blameless:
The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time (4).
What's wrong with the world is you, and I--and Job. With our sin came the sorrow and the suffering--for ourselves and others.
Hold that thought--because the first step on any man's way back to God is the realization that he, himself, is the problem. No one but the sinner will turn to the cross of Jesus Christ.
(1) Genesis 1:31; (2) Psalm 92:15; (3) Psalm 53:3; (4) Genesis 6:5
Job really gets it. That realization that he is the problem. Even though he experienced success and wealth his God centered world view was never corrupted. Most of us are prone to give ourselves credit for our successes, to think maybe I've got something going on. Job even in hindsight, did not glorify his own competence. Job's behavior during these trials proves that he had godly perspective of self and God. Job poses the question"...Who can say to him, what are you doing?(9:12)" No wonder God brings on His full redemption by the end of the book.
ReplyDeleteVickie--
ReplyDeleteIt was you who taught me the word "relational"--that so often God's answers to prayer are predicated upon improving our relatonship with Him, getting us closer to Him.
I have become so aware lately--thanks to scripture and you--that a true perspective on God is the only way to a true perspective on ourselves.
Your forever friend,
Franklyn