Crossing the Line

O. T. #1148  "Crossing the Line"
Feb. 6, 2018
Job 24
Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him.  Job 13:15a

LET IT GLOW

Our dear Job continues to suffer while he listens to these guys trying to condemn him into repenting of a secret sin which caused all of Job's sufferings. In the meantime, Job is persistent in declaring he is innocent, which we know to be true. Why don't these guys pack it up and go to the house? Hasn't Job gone through enough without their critical and uncaring words?

So far, Job has kept his faith. We know this by the things he says:

• After the trial is over, and God has accomplished His purpose within me,  I will come forth as pure as gold.
• I'm unable to understand God, but I will trust in Him.
• He performs what is appointed for me.
• I am unable to justify the permissions of God, but I trust Him. (Swindoll)

Job is unable to explain the "why's" of life, especially those he has. Through it all, Job is trusting his God. He lists the wrongs, failures, and injustices which occur in the country and the city and the wicked ways of the evil ones. Still, in the midst of the bad things, God does not step in and stop them, but permits them to happen. He permits hardships and sufferings for reasons unknown to us.  Job says that it is by God's permissive will these things continue. We can't explain it. Only God knows the "why."

Sometimes the wicked are not punished in this world, but their sins will be rectified. The immoral and unethical crimes will one day have their hour of vindication and retribution. Let us seek peace and love and comfort in Jesus as we carry on in the midst of ugly happenstance as Job.

LET IT GROW

According to Swindoll, the major message Job leaves us is fairly obvious by now:
Even though God is elusive and mysterious, strange and silent, invisible and seemingly passive, He is trustworthy.
Three lessons for us include:

1. Resist the temptation to explain everything; God knows.
2. Focus on the future benefits, not the present pain; God leads.
3. Embrace the sovereignty of the Almighty God; God controls.

God knows, leads, and controls all. Are we trusting in the trustworthy One? Will we trust His timing for retribution?
Webster's Dictionary defines trustworthy  as worthy of confidence, dependable.

Is our God worthy of our confidence? Is He dependable? " Of course He is," we would answer. But do we draw a line as to how far we will go with Him? If He crosses that line, do we stop trusting in God? Don't do this, don't take that, or I will turn away from serving You??? Will we serve God wholeheartedly or conditionally? Is conditional love really love?

Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 3:1, To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.
In verse 11, we are assured, He hath made every thing beautiful in his time.

Does God's grace lead us home?  Does grace lead us to be still and listen to Him? to know He is God and we are not. When we are in the hard times and in the easy times, God is trustworthy.

LET IT GO

Stop putting conditions on my serving God.
Trust in the trustworthy God wholeheartedly.
Let His praise forever be on my lips.