How to Stand When You Don't Understand
2005, Pastor Adrian Rogers Archives -- As you go through life, you will find many things that will not make sense to you. You may turn to God and ask why. And that just might be the time when heaven will be absolutely silent. Job was someone who understands what that feels like.
God permitted Satan to sift Job. And Job never knew why. "And the LORD said unto Satan, 'Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD" (Job 1:12). Just like that...Job lost it all — his fortune, his family, his fitness, and he even "lost face" with his friends. And he hadn't done anything wrong (read Job 2:3). One of the first things that you may say when trouble comes (i.e., a loved one is in a wreck, you get cancer, you lose your job) is, "What did I do wrong?" Maybe you did something wrong, but then again, maybe not. God is simply allowing you to be sifted as He did His son Job. It was indeed a tragic time in Job's life (see Job 19:13-19). And how did Job respond? The lesson of Job teaches us that our first response is to worship God. After the first wave of loss, Job praised God (see Job 1:20-22). It takes faith to praise God in the midst of loss. We don't have to know why. We don't have to understand. We just simply say, "God I praise you." But Pastor, that sounds like I would be a hypocrite. I don't feel like praising God. Of course you don't. But I don't understand. Of course you don't. But we are to thank God in everything (see 1 Thessalonians 5:18). Just simply say, "God, I worship you. I praise you." Move beyond your feelings into faith.
You and I have 20-20 hindsight with the book of Job in our hands. We know about the dialogue between God and Satan. Job didn't know that. From what we read in God's Word, he never knew why he suffered. His suffering was an unexplained mystery ( Job 23:2-9).
Friend, life is not a problem to be solved; it is a mystery to be lived. That is what the book of Job teaches. We do not live by explanations, we live by promises. It takes more faith to trust Him when we don't understand then when we do. Job didn't know why this happened but instead of walking away from God, he walked towards God in an attitude of trust (see Job 13:15 and 23:10-12). Now, say these sentences out loud: (1) I am here by God's appointment. (2) I am in His keeping. (3) I am under His training. (4) This is all for His time. God never gave Job a reason for his trials. Instead He gave Job a revelation about a relationship. When Job shut up, God showed up and taught him that He is sovereign and that He is sufficient (read Job 38:1-4). Job could only be still and listen as God declared Himself the great I AM. God's sufficiency was the second thing Job learned. Not only can God do whatever He wants but all we want can be satisfied in God. In chapter 42, God permitted Job to speak and he was awe-struck by the glory of love of God (see Job 42:1-5). I would venture to say that most every person reading this would say that they know God is necessary. But, I wonder how many of us know God is enough. You see, you may not know God is enough, until God is all you have. How do you know you aren't getting your joy from your spouse, children, health, possessions, job or activities? Take away these things and you'll know — just like Job did. God reduced Job down to nothing and no one and he learned that God is sufficient. C. H. Spurgeon said, "God is too good to be unkind. He is too wise to be confused. If I cannot trace His hand, I can always trust His heart." You can, too! You may never know why you are suffering. That's okay. What's important is that you know Him. He is sovereign. He is sufficient. Praise Him! Trust Him! He knows what is best for you. Epilog: Job’s health, wealth and family were returned to him when he prayed for his wicked friends. Job 42:9-10 https://www.oneplace.com/ministries/love-worth-finding/read/articles/how-to-stand-when-you-dont-understand-11401.html
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![]() 6-29-20, Jesus said, 'Obey Me!' John 14:15; 1 John 2:3, 3:22 Of course we are forgiven when we sincerely pray for forgiveness turning our lives to the Lord Jesus. We must intend to sin no more ... if we do ... quickly repent as we didn't INTEND to. John 8:11 More here: https://www.gotquestions.org/go-and-sin-no-more.html
![]() ✝️ 6-9-20, The Lord □ Jesus explained to Nicodemus that he must be 'born again' [John 3.3, 7]. In Utah I've heard some LDS people scoff and ridicule believers in Christ who are 'born again.' Those who scorn are lost; Jesus clearly said to 'marvel not that you must be born again'; without Christ we are lost. John 3:17-18
![]() ✝️ 6-8-20, Jesus is God; He came to save sinners. “For He [Jesus] Whom God sent speaks the words of God: The Father loves the Son & has given all things into His hand. He that believs on the Son hath everlasting life & they that believes not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on them.” John 3:34-36
![]() ✝️ 6-7-20, The Lord □ Jesus spoke from the cross first of forgiveness, salvation then of His Mother's care into John's hands. He spoke of being forsaken & then triumph as His task as human was complete shedding His perfect blood for the forgiveness of sins to all who repent believing in Him. His body was thirsty. And last of His reunion with the Father. Matthew 27:46; Luke 23:34, 43, 46; John 19:26-28, 30; Mark 15:34
![]() ✝️ 6-3-20, Interesting the different duties of God's arch angels. Michael is a warrior who will defeat Satan and Gabriel was/is God's messenger appearing to:
Prophet Daniel 8:15-17, 9:21-24 ...
Zacharias, father of John the Baptist, Luke 1:11-18...
Mary, Mother of Jesus, Luke 1:26-31...
Joseph, Husband of Mary, Matthew 1:20-24, 2-13
2 Thessalonians 2:10-12; Jeremiah 1:5; Galatians 6:7; 1 Thessalonians 5:4
Solomon 2:10-13 ![]() ✝️ 5-7-20, Sins □ Jesus Harshly Condemns; He said, “God knows our hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. V9 For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” [Pride] Luke 16:15, 18:9-14; Hebrews 1:8-9
![]() ✝️ 4-30-20, When the Lord □ Jesus Mother told her son that at the Cana wedding celebration there was no wine - I wonder if the Lord did little miracles around the house so Mary knew of His abilities expecting Him to quickly whip up some good wine. And He did! The Lord's first miracle on earth water into wine. John 2:1-11
![]() ✝️ 4-28-20, The Lord □ Jesus, in the book of Matthew, lists what’s called the “Beatitudes.” He lists the items in our lives in His 'Sermon on the Mount' that examine our values, vision & habits to wholehearted obedience to God. We seek His forgiveness & acceptance for eternal life with Him; this is the good news 'Gospel.' John 14:6; Matthew 5:1-48, 6:1-34, 7:1-28.
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