Category: Wisdom

Faithful, Gracious, And Just.

Read Psalm 34. Take your time and meditate on each verse.

David wrote this Psalm during a very difficult period in his life. He and his men were being hunted by king Saul. They were hiding out in caves, and they had run out of food. Think about the fact that David was homeless and starving when he wrote these words:

I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises.

I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart.

Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt his name together.

Psalm 34 :1-3

How was David able to praise God even under these terrible circumstances? Because he knew God’s character. Throughout Psalm 34, David focuses on three aspects of God’s character: His faithfulness, His grace, and His justice.

God’s Faithfulness.

David experienced God’s faithfulness firsthand. When he was a boy, God helped him defend his father’s flock from vicious predators. As a young man, God gave him victory over the giant, Goliath.

So when David’s situation became desperate, he did not despair. He knew that God is faithful. He trusted that God would deliver him. This gave him strength, and alleviated his fears.

I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears.

Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.

In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened; he saved me from all my troubles.

For the angel of the Lord is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him.

Psalm 34: 4-7

Life is full of ups and downs, but in times of hardship, remember that God is in control, and He is faithful.

The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles.

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.

The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.

Psalm 34: 17-19

2) God’s Grace.

Grace means unmerited favor or kindness. David understood that he was a sinful man, and that he had done nothing to earn God’s favor. He was ever in awe of God’s great mercy and love, and he knew he didn’t deserve it (see Psalm 51).

But David knew the grace of God.

Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!

Fear the Lord, you his godly people, for those who fear him will have all they need.

Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing.

Psalm 34: 8-10

For the Lord protects the bones of the righteous; not one of them is broken!

—-

But the Lord will redeem those who serve him. No one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.

Psalm 34: 20 & 22

Like David, we should marvel at God’s grace. We are nothing but rebellious sinners, yet God offers us redemption and mercy. Salvation comes only through God’s grace (Ephesians 2: 8-9).

3) God’s Justice.

David saw wicked men around him prospering while he himself suffered. But he knew that God is just, and that the wicked would pay in due time.

God is loving and patient, and He wants people to repent and be saved (II Peter 3:9). But God is also just. Those who continue in their wicked ways and refuse God’s mercy will face His justice!

The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right; his ears are open to their cries for help.

But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil; he will erase their memory from the earth.

Psalm 34: 15-16

Calamity will surely destroy the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be punished.

Psalm 34: 21

It may seem like the wicked prosper. They often do… for a season. But rest assured that one day God will judge them for their evil deeds.

So whatever you’re going through right now, do what David did and praise God because He is faithful, gracious, and just.

Friendship.

Do you remember the story of Job? The Bible tells us that Job was a righteous man whom God had greatly blessed. Job had health, wealth, family, and the respect of his peers. Then, without warning or explanation, everything he held dear was taken from him. His wealth was plundered/destroyed, his children were killed, and he became horribly ill, his skin covered in boils. Ugh!

Enter Job’s friends. Let’s look at the men who came to visit Job in his time of need, and see if we can learn a few things about friendship from them.

When three of Job’s friends heard of the tragedy he had suffered, they got together and traveled from their homes to comfort and console him. Their names were Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite.

When they saw Job from a distance, they scarcely recognized him. Wailing loudly, they tore their robes and threw dust into the air over their heads to show their grief. 

Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and nights. No one said a word to Job, for they saw that his suffering was too great for words.

Job 2:11-13

True friends.

Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, demonstrated friendship in a powerful way. These men likely had families, careers, and responsibilities, yet they dropped everything and “traveled from their homes to comfort and console [Job]”. They had no ulterior motives, for Job had nothing to offer them. They went and sat with Job in silence for seven days, their presence sending a clear message: “We love you, dear friend.”

This got me to thinking: Have I cultivated any friendships in my life that rise to this level? If tragedy fell upon me, do I have a single friend that cares for me enough to do anything close to what Job’s friends did for him? Bonds this strong don’t happen by accident, and it’s a testament to Job’s character that he had at least four friends (Elihu is the fourth friend, mentioned later in the story) that cared for him so deeply.

And what have I done for my friends in need? A short phone call? A quick visit? A few hours of my time? When I look at what Job’s friends did for him, I must admit, I feel convicted. I may not be able to go and sit with a friend for seven days in silence, but I could certainly do better than say, “man, I’m really sorry about what happened,” and then just go back to my life. I need to do better in the future.

Not perfect.

Job chapter 3 – chapter 27 records the dialogue between Job and his three friends (note: the fourth and youngest friend, Elihu, is listening to the conversation).

Job’s friends clearly loved him, and had the best of intentions. Unfortunately, they thought they understood the cause of Job’s misfortune when, in fact, they did not. As a result, they added insult to injury by insisting that Job must have committed some heinous sin, and that God was punishing him for it.

Instead of comforting Job, they started preaching at him. They made assumptions that were false. They offered unsolicited and unwarranted advice, telling Job that he needed to repent of whatever terrible, secret sin he had committed.

On the one hand, this shows that Job’s friends were candid, and felt free to speak their minds with Job. That’s a positive thing. But they didn’t have enough information to rightly judge Job’s situation or to offer wise counsel. As a result, they unintentionally made the situation worse.

As we are told in Ecclesiastes 3:7, there is a time to speak, and a time to remain silent. When dealing with friends in pain, we should listen first, then pray for the wisdom to say things that are both comforting and true. If such words don’t come to us, we ought to keep quiet. Elihu demonstrates this for us in Job 32 – 37. He listened carefully, and when it was his turn to speak, he offered real words of wisdom.

The greatest friend.

The old hymn, “What a friend we have in Jesus” is one of my favorites. Jesus told His disciples, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). And that’s exactly what Jesus did for you and me. He willingly laid down His life to pay our sin-debt. He offers the free gift of salvation to all who repent and put their faith in Him.

Jesus serves as the ultimate example of what a friend should be: loving, compassionate, and selfless.

So how good a friend are you? I know I have room for improvement in this area, and I suspect you do too. I think we could all be more giving of ourselves, more careful with our words, and better friends to each other.

Lessons From King Asa.

Asa, son of Abijah, was one of the few good kings that ruled over ancient Judah. His story is recorded in II Chronicles 14 -16. Take a few minutes and read those three chapters. There are many lessons in this passage. Here are a few that stood out to me.

1) Obedience leads to peace.

The first thing Asa does as king is address the widespread problem of idolatry. The countryside is littered with foreign alters, pagan shrines, sacred pillars, and Asherah poles. Asa destroys these detestable symbols of false gods, and then he commands the people of Judah to: seek the LORD, the God of their ancestors, and to obey His law and His commands (II Chronicles 14:4).

As a result, his kingdom enjoys a period of peace. God blesses King Asa, and gives him rest from his enemies (II Chronicles 14:5-6).

—=—

If you want to be at peace, put God first in your life, and obey His commandments.

“Obey God and be at peace with Him.“

Job 22:21

Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4:9 – The Apostle Paul speaking.

2) No problem is too big for God.

After a time, Asa faces a major challenge. A powerful army mobilizes against Judah. A million soldiers and three hundred chariots advance on the town of Mareshah. Asa prepares for war, but he is greatly outnumbered, and knows he cannot win.

In the face of certain disaster, he cries out to God: “O LORD, no one but you can help the powerless against the mighty! Help us, O LORD our God, for we trust in you alone. It is in your name that we have come against this vast horde. O LORD, you are our God; do not let mere men prevail against you!” (II Chronicles 14:11).

Asa calls out to God in his time of need, and God answers. God Himself fights the battle, and defeats the army that is too much for Asa.

—=—

We sometimes face challenges that seem impossible. In those times we can choose to despair, or we can call out to God, and trust that He is able to handle our situation.

For with God nothing shall be impossible.

Luke 1:37

Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.

Psalm 55:22

3) God rewards those who remain faithful.

After God miraculously delivers Judah from their enemies, the prophet Azariah seeks out King Asa as he’s returning from the battle. Azariah tells Asa, and the people, that as long as they follow God’s commands, God will be with them. He also warns them not to turn away from God.

Then Azariah encourages the people with these words: “be strong and courageous, for your work will be rewarded.” (II Chronicles 15:7).

Asa wastes no time. He sweeps through the kingdom and lays waste to any remaining idols. He repairs the altar in front of the LORD’s temple. Then Asa and his people offers sacrifices, and enter into a sacred covenant with God.

God rewards the people for their faithfulness: “All in Judah were happy about this covenant, for they had entered into it with all their heart. They earnestly sought after God, and they found him. And the Lord gave them rest from their enemies on every side.” (II Chronicles 15:15).

—=—

There are blessings for those who obey the LORD. God delights in working wonders for those who love Him.

 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Galatians 6:9

God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

James 1:12

…[God] is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Hebrews 11:6b

4) Even the righteous can fall.

Asa and his kingdom enjoy a long period of peace and prosperity, but somewhere along the way Asa becomes prideful and complacent.

In the 36th year of Asa’s reign, King Baasha invades Judah, and instead of asking God what he should do, Asa acts according to his own wisdom.

Hanani the seer confronts Asa with his error, but Asa is unrepentant, and throws Hanani in prison!

Asa continues to sin, and even begins to oppresses his own people. When he contracts a serious disease, he is still too proud to seek God’s help. King Asa’s final years are marked by war, pain, and suffering.

—=—

Asa’s sad ending is a sobering reminder to be spiritually vigilant. When times are good, it’s easy to put God on the backburner. It’s easy to get lazy with things like Bible study and church attendance. Often times we drift away from God so slowly that we don’t realize it’s happening until something dramatic happens to get our attention.

If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall.

I Corinthians 10:12

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

I Peter 5:8

We can learn a lot from King Asa. If we remain faithful and obedient to God, He will reward us and give us peace. No problem is too big for God, and we should always seek Him first in times of trouble. Lastly, if we’re not careful, we can easily drift away from God. We need to renew our hearts and minds daily, and remember to put God first in our lives.

What Foundation Are You Building On?

I recently got one of those notifications on Facebook where it says something like, “Here’s a memory from this date X years ago!” and it shows you an old post you made. The post was from February 2012, and this is what it said:

“Feel awful today and don’t know why. Sad, depressed, miserable… just having a bad friggen day. Going to go to bed early and hope tomorrow turns out better.“

This got me thinking back to that time in my life, my early thirties.

Financially, things were good. My wife and I were both working, and we were debt free, except for our mortgage. We had money to invest, and we had enough disposable income to do the things we wanted to do.

Marriage was good. We had our ups and downs, of course, but we’d been married for over a decade, and had found a comfortable rhythm. We had no kids, so we spent a lot of time together, and we genuinely enjoyed each other’s company.

Physically, I was as healthy and strong as I have ever been. I had more hair, more energy, and better eyesight. I had free time to do what I wanted to do: I worked out, I played video games, I watched movies.

And yet… I was hurting, and I was miserable. What’s worse, I couldn’t figure out why. I remember having lunch with a buddy of mine during this time and lamenting, “I should be happy! Everything is great. I’ve got everything I need and more. I should be happy, but I’m not!”

A foundation of sand.

I thought at the time that I could find joy, peace, and satisfaction in the material world. If I worked hard enough, those things would surely come. I just needed a little more… more money, more status, more stuff.

But I discovered first-hand the truths found in the book of Ecclesiastes: Wealth is not the answer. Fame is not the answer. Pleasure is not the answer. No amount of earthly treasure is enough to satisfy the soul.

I like what actor/comedian Jim Carrey said: “I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamed of so they can see that it’s not the answer.“

A life of joy, peace, and satisfaction cannot be built on a foundation of worldly pursuits. Wealth, power, influence, fame… these are naught but shifting sand. Whatever you build on them is destined to fall.

“But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 

The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

Mathew 7: 26-27

The Solid Rock.

Instead of building on sand, you can build on Jesus Christ, the solid rock.

Don’t misunderstand. This doesn’t mean you will escape the storms of life. In fact, the Bible virtually promises hardship and sorrow will be a part of following Christ. But if you build your life on Jesus, then your joy, peace, and satisfaction will not collapse when the storms hit. Your Foundation will be unshakeable.

Jesus said:

“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. 

Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.”

Mathew 7: 24-25

Build with the future in mind.

This broken world we live in is temporary. It will pass away. If you build your life on an earthly foundation, you will perish. Build your life on Jesus, and you will live.

And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.

I John 2:17

Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. 

For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. 

And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.

Colossians 3: 2-4

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 

But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Mathew 6: 19-21

Missionary, Charles Studd, wrote:

Only one life ’twill soon be past.
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Friend, I have built on sand, and I have built on the Rock. The Rock is better. Take some time this week to think about what’s at the foundation of your life. What are you building on?

Even So.

The first few books of the Old Testament tell us how God delivered His people from Egypt, and brought them to the promised land.

Because of their disobedience, Israel wandered around the desert for 40 years. Moses, and most of the generation that had fled Egypt, were not allowed to enter the promised land, and many died in the wilderness.

Shortly after Moses died, Joshua lead the people across the River Jordan into the promised land.

With God’s help, Israel quickly conquered much of the promised land. Things were looking up! Israel was so confident, that they divided up the land amongst the tribes before they had even captured it all.

But then Joshua died, and the Israelites lost their way. They started doing the exact opposite of what God had told them to do. Instead of slaying the wicked inhabitants of the promised land, they started intermarrying with them, and began to worship their false gods.

The next 300+ years were tumultuous. This was the time of the Judges. Over and over the following pattern repeated:

  • Israel rebels against God.
  • God punishes them, allowing the surrounding nations to oppress them.
  • Israel cries out to God for help.
  • God sends a “Judge” to deliver them.
  • Israel turns back to God for a generation or two.
  • Israel starts getting friendly with the neighboring nations and their false gods… and the cycle repeats.

Lesson learned?

When we get to the book of I Samuel, Israel has reached an inflection point in their history. Samuel is destined to be the last Judge of Israel. The people have decided they want a king instead. They want to be like the nations around them.

Finally, all the elders of Israel met at Ramah to discuss the matter with Samuel.

“Look,” they told him, “you are now old, and your sons are not like you. Give us a king to judge us like all the other nations have.”

I Samuel 8: 4-5

Samuel knows this is not a good plan. Israel is supposed to be different from the nations around them. They are God’s chosen people. God is their King. Samuel warns them, and explains what will happen if they insist on having an earthly king.

 “This is how a king will reign over you,” Samuel said. “The king will draft your sons and assign them to his chariots and his charioteers, making them run before his chariots. 

Some will be generals and captains in his army, some will be forced to plow in his fields and harvest his crops, and some will make his weapons and chariot equipment. 

The king will take your daughters from you and force them to cook and bake and make perfumes for him.

 He will take away the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his own officials.

 He will take a tenth of your grain and your grape harvest and distribute it among his officers and attendants.

He will take your male and female slaves and demand the finest of your cattle and donkeys for his own use. 

He will demand a tenth of your flocks, and you will be his slaves. 

When that day comes, you will beg for relief from this king you are demanding, but then the Lord will not help you.”

I Samuel 8: 11-18

Now you would think, after all that Israel has been through… after centuries of ups and downs, rebellion and consequences… that they would heed this warning.

Nope!

But the people refused to listen to Samuel’s warning. “Even so, we still want a king,” they said. 

“We want to be like the nations around us. Our king will judge us and lead us into battle.”

I Samuel 8: 19-20

Did you catch that? “EVEN SO, we still want a king.“

It’s easy to read that and think, “Come on! They know this is going to end badly. Why in the world would they go through with it!?” But we shouldn’t be too quick to judge.

When we sin, we know there will be consequences. We know because we’ve been warned by God’s Word. Even so, we sometimes decide that we want our own way, no matter the cost. But the bill always comes due. We pay a price for our sin; we bear the scars.

Even so, God loves us. When we repent, He forgives us and delivers us, just as He did for the Israelites.

Again and again he rescued [Israel], but they chose to rebel against him, and they were finally destroyed by their sin.

Even so, he pitied them in their distress and listened to their cries.

He remembered his covenant with them and relented because of his unfailing love.

Psalm 106: 43-45

A better, “even so”.

Our daily challenge as Christians is to make our “even so” look something like this:

“I’m tempted to [insert sin that you struggle with here]. I really want to! Even so, I choose to obey God.”

This isn’t easy, but it is doable through the power of the Holy Spirit. Remember this promise:

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

I Corinthians 10:13

Taste And See.

You probably know who Jordan Peterson is. Personally, I admire him for his intellect and his principles.

Several months ago I watched his video series on Exodus. If you are unfamiliar, I would describe it this way: a panel of brilliant men with diverse backgrounds gather around a table to read and discuss the Old Testament story of how God delivered the Israelites from Egypt and brought them to the promised land.

The series consists of 17 episodes, and the total runtime is over 33 hours!

Prior to making the Exodus series, Jordan Peterson gave a series of lectures on the book of Genesis, and currently he is on a tour entitled, “We Who Wrestle With God.” He’s written a book with the same title.

It’s clear that Dr. Peterson is serious about his search for God. Sadly, with his current approach, I fear he may miss Him.

Knowledge vs understanding.

A parable:

There once was a brilliant scientist who wanted to learn all there was to learn about chocolate. He bought a chocolate bar, and conducted many experiments. He meticulously recorded his observations, and in time he came to know a great deal about chocolate: how its made, its melting point, the precise ratios of all the ingredients, etc.

The scientist dug deeper, learning about chocolate’s chemical composition, molecular density, atomic structure, and more. Finally, he felt confident he knew all there was to know.

Then, one day, a boy came into his lab. The boy simply ate the chocolate bar, and smiled.

You see, the scientist knows about chocolate; the boy knows chocolate.

Until the scientist tastes the chocolate for himself, he will never truly understand it. When he does, he will realize that what he knows about chocolate on an intellectual level doesn’t compare to the experience of eating it.

It’s similar with God. Using one’s intellect to get a deeper knowledge of God is no substitute for experiencing God in a real and personal way. As the Psalmist said:

Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.

Psalm 34:8

Uncomplicated.

Good news! If you want to know God, you don’t need special training or equipment. You don’t have to have a PhD in philosophy or religion. A personal relationship with God is available to anyone who desires it. All you need is humility and a tender heart.

About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?”

Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.”

Mathew 18:1-4

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 14:6

For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says,

‘The stone that you builders rejected
    has now become the cornerstone.’

There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.

Acts 4:11-12

Want to enter the Kingdom of Heaven? Want to find God? Humble yourself, repent of your sin, trust fully in Jesus, and you will.

Jesus is the way to God; there is no other. Through Him, the God of the Bible becomes more than just an abstract idea. He comes alive inside you. The One, True God. The God of the prophets, the God of King David, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Through Jesus, that God becomes your God.

Don’t settle.

I pray almost every day for Jordan Peterson. He is so close to the truth. I pray that one day he will humble himself and come to Jesus with the heart of a child. I pray that he will experience God, not as some impersonal, abstract idea, but as the awesome, terrifying, holy, and personal Being that He is.

If you have come to Jesus already, you know what I’m talking about. If you have not, don’t delay. Take a leap of faith. Experience God for yourself. Taste and see.

A God Too Small.

The God of the Old Testament is arguably the most unpleasant character in all fiction: jealous and proud of it; a petty, unjust, unforgiving control freak; a vindictive, bloodthirsty ethnic cleanser; a misogynistic, homophobic, racist, infanticidal, genocidal, filicidal, pestilential, megalomaniacal, sadomasochistic, capriciously malevolent bully.

Richard Dawkins

It’s utterly, utterly evil. Why should I respect a capricious, mean-minded, stupid God who creates a world which is so full of injustice and pain?

Stephen Fry

Either God wants to abolish evil, and cannot; or he can, but does not want to. If he wants to, but cannot, he is impotent. If he can, but does not want to, he is wicked. If God can abolish evil, and God really wants to do it, why is there evil in the world?

Epicurus

I’m fascinated when men who do not believe in God attack Him with such great passion and ferocity. “God doesn’t exist!” they proclaim, “But if he does, he’s an immoral psychopath because he allows or even perpetrates [insert atrocity here].”

Theologians and apologists have wrestled with “the problem of evil” for centuries. It’s often presented as evidence that God does not exist, but the quotes above assert something more. There’s an audaciousness to them, an attitude of superiority. They imply that if God exists, man possesses the knowledge, wisdom, and authority to sit in judgement of His actions. How foolish!

An incomplete picture.

Can you rightly judge the quality of a painting if you can see only one square inch of it? Can you read the first word of a book and determine the worth of its message? If you taste only one ingredient, can you fairly critique the whole meal?

In like manner, none of us has sufficient knowledge to criticize God’s actions. We see one speck of one piece of the puzzle, and dare to imagine that we are in a position to pass judgement on the whole. We don’t even know how much we don’t know!

Given our limitations, isn’t it possible that God has good reasons for allowing pain, suffering, and evil to exist? Reasons that we know nothing about? Reasons that are beyond our comprehension? Only pride would dare answer, “no!”

When a parent takes their small child to the doctor and allows the doctor to give the child a shot, what does that look like from the child’s point of view? The child doesn’t understand the purpose of the shot. They don’t know that it is ultimately for their good. All they know is that the needle hurts, and the parent let the doctor stab them with it! Would the child be right to call the parent evil based on what they experienced?

Obviously, the knowledge-gap between us and God is infinitely greater than the gap between a parent and their child. It’s fair to say that we are in no position to accurately judge the decisions of The Almighty.

Where were you?

You are probably familiar with the story of Job. He was a man who had it all… health, wealth, family, and fame. In an instant, God took it all away.

Job was flabbergasted. Why had God allowed all this evil to happen to him? Job’s friends came and basically said, “Wow! Job, you must have sinned pretty bad for God to do all of this to you.” Job insisted he was innocent; that he did not deserve what God was dishing out.

In the book of Job, chapter 31, Job boasts to his friends of his righteousness. Near the end of the chapter he states:

“If only someone would listen to me! Look, I will sign my name to my defense. Let the Almighty answer me. Let my accuser write out the charges against me.

I would face the accusation proudly. I would wear it like a crown.

For I would tell him exactly what I have done. I would come before him like a prince.”

Job 31:35-37

Bold words. He’s basically saying, “God, You messed up! You got this one wrong!” But his friend, Elihu, reminds Job who God is (Job chapters 32 – 37), and then God Himself responds to Job (Job chapters 38 – 41).

Then the LORD answered Job from the whirlwind:

“Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words?

Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.

“Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you know so much.

Job 38:1-4

God asks Job a series of rhetorical questions to remind him of his place in the universe. Such questions apply to anyone who wishes to challenge God. Where were you when God created the universe out of nothing? Where were you when God brought order out of chaos and light into darkness? When did you become omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent? Who do you think you are?

Job, to his credit, responds in the only appropriate way:

Then Job replied to the LORD:

“I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you.

You asked, ‘Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?’ It is I—and I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me.

You said, ‘Listen and I will speak! I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.’

I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes.

I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance.”

Job 42:1-6

No limits.

I don’t know why God allows evil, pain, and suffering to exist, but I don’t need to. The Bible tells me that God is good, that He has a plan, and that He is without limits. God is not bound by time or space. He is not constrained by the laws of nature, physics, or mathematics. If He chooses, He can instantly right every wrong, and mete out His perfect justice to every human soul… past, present, and future. He can do this because He is Almighty God, and with Him nothing is impossible.

If you look at the current state of the world, and believe that evil, pain, and suffering are incompatible with a perfect and holy God, you simply believe in a god too small.

Does Your Life Have Meaning?

King Solomon was a man who had everything. Money, fame, women, power… you name it, he had it. All the comforts and pleasures of the world were at his fingertips. I Kings 11:3 tells us he had 700 wives and 300 concubines. I Kings 4:34 says that every king on earth knew of Solomon’s great wisdom. His wealth (in today’s dollars) is estimated to have been around 2.2 trillion (yes trillion, with a “t“).

Like all human beings, Solomon wanted to know, “What’s life all about? What am I doing here? What should I be doing during my time on Earth?” The book of Ecclesiastes documents Solomon’s search for meaning in his life.

…I wanted to see what was good for people to do under the heavens during the few days of their lives.

Ecclesiastes 2:3

Solomon had the resources to live the kind of life we can only dream about. Yet, towards the end of his life, Solomon describes all that he owned and all that he accomplished with these words:

Meaningless! Meaningless! … Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.

Ecclesiastes 1:2

Keeping it real.

Ecclesiastes is one of my favorite books of the Bible. Solomon smashes the rose-colored glasses, and describes life as it really is. Read Ecclesiastes when you have time. It’s short, and well worth your time. In the meantime, here’s a summary of what Solomon had to say:

  • Life is monotonous (Ecc. 1:5-11)
  • Life is a burden (Ecc. 1:13 / Ecc. 3:10)
  • Life is unjust (Ecc. 3:16 / Ecc. 4:1-3)
  • Life is unfair (Ecc. 2:21 / Ecc. 8:14 / Ecc. 9:11 / Ecc. 10:6-7)
  • Life is unpredictable (Ecc. 9:12 / Ecc. 8:7-8 / Ecc. 10:8-9)
  • Pleasure does not satisfy (Ecc. 2:1)
  • Success does not satisfy (Ecc. 2:4-11)
  • Wealth does not satisfy (Ecc. 5:10)
  • Knowledge/wisdom do not satisfy (Ecc. 1:18 / Ecc. 2:12-16)
  • Youth and vigor are fleeting (Ecc. 11:10)
  • Death gets us all in the end (Ecc. 9:3 / Ecc. 3:19 / Ecc. 2:14 / Ecc. 12: 6-7)

The hard truth is, nothing in this world can truly satisfy you. How many people have you known (or known of) that seem to “have it all” but are miserable and unfulfilled? What percentage of the rich and famous spend their days trying to numb their pain with sex, drugs, alcohol, or other vices?

If all this harsh reality bums you out, hang in there! The good news is coming.

Where is meaning to be found?

Solomon went down every road this world has to offer, and each was a dead end. However, sprinkled throughout Ecclesiastes are markers that show the path that leads to meaning and fulfillment. Here are two examples:

This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot.

Ecclesiastes 5:18

So I commend the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany them in their toil all the days of the life God has given them under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 8:15

There are several verses that have this theme of “it is good to eat, drink, and toil.” (For more examples, see: Ecc. 9:7-9 / Ecc. 2:24-25 / Ecc. 3:22 / Ecc. 5:12) The idea is this: The people who find meaning and satisfaction in life are those who whole-heartedly do what God put them on the Earth to do.

To the person who pleases Him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness…

Ecclesiastes 2:26a

 They [those who do God’s will] seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart.

Ecclesiastes 5:20

God has a specific plan and purpose for your life, and the closer you follow His plan, the more satisfied you will be. To know his specific plan for you life, you must seek Him in prayer and study His Word, but if you’re looking for a place to start, Solomon offers that in his conclusion:

Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.

Ecclesiastes 12:13

So, if you’re feeling unfulfilled; if everything seems “meaningless, meaningless, meaningless!” then seek out God’s plan for your life and follow it with all your might! Fear Him. Keep His commandments. This is how you will find purpose and meaning in your life.

What’s The Value Of Wisdom?

Over the years, I developed a habit of starting most of my prayers in a similar fashion. Almost without thinking, I would pray, “Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for this day. Please give me the wisdom and strength I need to do whatever it is you have for me to do.”

This isn’t a bad way to start a prayer, but something I recently read in scripture caused me to stop and think about it more deeply. Specifically, it caused me to reflect on the part where I ask God for wisdom.

An unexpected find.

I was reading through Job. The book tells of the awful tragedies Job endured, and a large part of the book is dialogue: first between Job and his friends, and finally between Job and God.

But chapter 28 takes a surprising break from the story. In my Bible (NIV), at the head of chapter 28, it says: Interlude: Where Wisdom Is Found. I thought this was strange, and it really made me sit up and pay attention. I encourage you to take a couple of minutes right now and read Job 28.

Beyond compare.

Job 28 reminds us that men will go to great lengths to acquire precious things. They will dig and drill and mine deep into the earth to acquire rare gems. They will sweat and bleed for silver and gold. Wisdom is said to be more valuable than these things, but do we prize it as such? Do we pursue it with the same fervor? “Not I,” I thought.

It dawned on me as I read these verses that I did not fully appreciate the value of wisdom! I had been casually, almost flippantly asking God for wisdom. I wondered, “why would God give me something of such great worth if I don’t truly understand or appreciate its value?”

Imagine a king with his very young child. The toddler asks their father for a giant ruby or diamond. Is the king going to hand it over? Of course not! Not because he doesn’t love the child, but because the child doesn’t comprehend the value of what they are asking for. The child can’t make proper use of it. They’re not ready.

A new approach.

I still ask God for wisdom, and it’s important to do so. The Bible says:

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

James 1:5

But now that I have a better grasp of what I’m asking for, I ask in a different way. I ask God to help me grow and mature so that I can make use of the wisdom He gives me. I don’t want to be like a child that admires a ruby because of its sparkle and then carelessly sets it aside. Instead, I want to be a responsible prince that accepts the King’s ruby and then uses it for His glory.

How about you? What value do you ascribe to wisdom? Are you ready to make use of the wisdom God gives you?

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