Devotional Fuel to Reboot Your Mind

Colossians 1:22-23, “And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your  mind by wicked works, yet now He reconciled in his body of his  flesh through death,  to present you holy and blameless, and above reproach in His sight –  if you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, become a minister.

When we accepted Christ as a believer, we had a complete change of status that affected our minds and our behavior because we were no longer alienated from God, which is called reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:17-19 states, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.” So, our new status then became Christ’s ambassador, of God’s grace and goodness being on display in our lives. Because the barrier has been removed, for believers, we then have peace. But Satan’s weapons of temptations of guilt, shame, frustration, and failure, try to steal, kill, and destroy that God given peace in our lives. Satan is the accuser. God is not, we are holy and blameless and above reproach in His sight (Colossians 1:22). How we trust in God in response is the question and dilemma. Don’t dwell on past mistakes and sins. Dwell on your new position in Christ. Do you realize this gives one victory over depression and criticism?

How would you rate yourself on perseverance in your trust in God? Do any of these situations fit you right now?

• Pain and suffering.
• Grief in a loss of something or someone.
• Contentment – lack of contentment.
• Unfulfilled expectation(s).
• At a crossroads in life.
• Unsure of the future.
• Someone broke a promise to you.

“God is responsible for the consequences of our obedience, WE are responsible for the consequences of our disobedience.” Charles Stanley.

 We must persevere since we, as believers, have been reconciled to God in living holy, blameless, and above reproach in living out godly character despite our circumstances. How do you do that when receiving a significant disappointment? How does one live “above reproach in His sight” when treated unjustly, wronged, and overlooked, as those times do happen? You trust in God, one day at a time and one moment at a time with endurance in your perseverance. I have Romans 15:4 highlighted in yellow in my Bible which states, “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”

As Paul said in Colossians 1, “continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel.” Persevere a little longer. Remember your status in Christ. I don’t have all the answers, but I know the planner – majestic God. Have Jesus Christ be the central focus – talk to Him. Focus on your relationship with God. He knows your needs. He is faithful. His Word will reassure you and give you the right perspective. That is how to trust in God of which I am still learning to do more and more.

Listen to Rebecca St. James, The Battle is the Lords (Official Lyric Video).

Romans 3:22, “This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ, to all who believe. There is no difference.”

As I have been doing my personal Bible study on “trust” I have been learning how lacking I am in fully trusting the Lord when I don’t see immediate answers. Having child-like faith is crucial, and lacking trust leads to stress, just as the Israelites complained bitterly in Exodus 16:2-3 encountering danger and inconveniences, yet God provided for their needs. So, He will provide for my needs as I commit them to Him. Dear reader, I would love to pray for your needs right now.

Are you a highly competitive person? Have you had the experience of being judged by your performance in a job or on a sports team where you are striving to earn a first-place position? All of this is based on one’s performance. However, before our holy God, He imparts to us righteousness not by anything we do on our own but solely through our faith in Jesus Christ and is available to all who believe, as John 3:16 states, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” The righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, comes to us through our faith and not by our faith.

“After saving faith, the life of trust begins . . . trust is always looking forward to what God will do; but faith sees that what God says has been done, and believes God’s Word, having the conviction that it is true, and true for ourselves.” Blue Letter Commentary (Newell). Romans 1:17 states, “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” This means I must live by faith from start to finish, reflecting on God’s holiness, justice, attributes, eternal power, and divine nature, one day at a time.

Do you have a decision to make? Do you have an aching desire that needs to be fulfilled? God’s solution is how you put your trust in Him. Every person’s universal need is found in God, who gives complete and eternal meaning to our lives by glorifying Him. Friends or family members will let us down. But remember, they are sinners saved by grace, just like you are, as Romans 3:23 declares, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” All means all.

God is still writing your story. He is not finished with you yet. God’s solution is how you put your trust in Him. Romans 3:24 plainly states, “Through the redemption that came by Jesus Christ, you are justified freely by His grace.” Put your trust in Him and His promises found in God’s Word, and you will discover God’s solution.

Listen to Leanna Crawford – How Can You Not (Official Video)

John 3:18, “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.”

When we are free of pain, sorrow, and suffering, don’t we all trust God better? But when life takes us on these paths, with their sharp and jagged twists and turns, we may tend to be a bit unsteady in our faith in God and have momentary doubts. We know all the right verses to recite, and that God is always faithful and good, but how do we maneuver through these challenging circumstances without complaining and fully trust Him? Why is it we trusted in Jesus Christ to save us from our sins and give us eternal life, yet when troubling circumstances occur later on in life, we are weak and have fears and doubts? It might be over our health, a problem within our job, or as simple as anxiety over a delayed plane arrival in making a connecting flight home, as we just experienced.

The Bible gives us many examples of Bible characters who did not trust in God, which provide us with life lessons in faith and trusting God and remind us of the dangers and consequences of not believing in the promises of God.

• Doubting Thomas: He probably is the most common one that stands out. His nickname was “Doubting Thomas.” He had to see the nail holes in Jesus’s hands and sides with his own eyes and not just take the words of the disciples’ accounts. Jesus appeared to him and spoke directly to Thomas. He said, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe. Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:24-29.
• Rebekah and Isaac: Genesis 27 is the account of Jacob getting Isaac’s blessing, which was God’s plan. Both Rebekah and Isaac didn’t fully trust God’s plan that He had set forth in Genesis 25:23, where God declared, “the older will serve the younger.” It accounts for how no one in this household trusted each other. But far worse was the fact they did not trust the Lord. Lies were told. But God’s sovereign will was put in place despite any person’s opposition to it in this family. Ultimately, Isaac perceived God’s will and which was the best.

Believe in the name of the only Son of God – Jesus Christ. We all have insufficiencies. But our great God understands your needs and promises His protection, presence, and provisions for His purposes in your life. One’s faith and trust in God is based on our relationship with Him – not on our performance for God.

May 1 John 3:18-20 The Message, be of encouragement: “My dear children, let’s not just talk about love; let’s practice real love. This is the only way we’ll know we’re living truly, living in God’s reality. It’s also the way to shut down debilitating self-criticism, even when there is something to it. For God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves.”

Trust Him to, in the end, replace sorrow and suffering with His mighty grace and peace. Ask God to do His work in you. God sent His son to give you eternal life. Believe and trust in God who knows more about you than you do yourself.

Listen to Leanna Crawford, I Know A Place (Music Video).

Luke 17:12-19, “And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”

Leprosy was a panic-stricken disease because there was no known cure, and it was considered a very contagious disease during this time. These ten lepers kept their distance from Jesus, who entered their village, for fear of infecting anyone nearby. These ten men were a mixture of Jews and Samaritans. Their misery bonded them, and national and other prejudices dissolved as they came together in prayer and to console one another. They were simply men who “had forgotten they were Jews and Samaritans and remembered only they were men in need.” (Barclay).

In verse fourteen, Jesus tells them to “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” They were still lepers. They hadn’t been healed yet. “This was truly stepping out in faith, as in putting on the new man even when we still look and feel like the old man.” David Guzik, Blue Letter Commentary. These men had to prove their faith in Jesus by obedience. The law of their time required a healed leper to be examined by a priest (Leviticus 14) in order to be restored to the community, with the priest declaring that the leprosy was gone entirely. These ten men obeyed in faith, and Jesus healed them on their way. The question I have to ask myself is, is my trust in God so strong that I will act on what He says even before I see any evidence it will work?

I wonder why only one of the ten lepers returned to thank Jesus? Jesus marveled that the nine men He had healed did not come and thank him as this one Samaritan man did. Do you realize he was the unlikely one because he was a Samaritan? The Jews despised Samaritans because the Jews saw themselves as the ones who were direct descendants of Abraham. In contrast, the Samaritans were a mixed race. So, according to their Jewish law, Samaritans were the least likely to act correctly. In the time of Jesus, both politics and religion were involved. Here this un-orthodox Samaritan turned back to thank Jesus in proper action. The other Jews did not as they only obeyed the ritual.

In verse 19, Jesus tells this Samaritan, “Your faith has made you well.” “There was an extra healing for this tenth leper. When Jesus said this, He likely meant God’s work within the man’s heart. The other lepers had whole bodies, but sick hearts.” David Guzik, Blue Letter Commentary. This man knew Jesus was not just a healer but a Redeemer and a Savior. “The Samaritan’s nine friends were declared clean by the priest, but he was declared saved by the Son of God!” The Wiersbe Bible Commentary. Warren W. Wiersbe. This Samaritan was cleansed not only physically but spiritually showing Christ’s saving grace within the soul.

Is there something you need to act upon in your faith and trust in God, using discernment and an obedient heart even before you see any evidence it will work, as those ten lepers did in Luke 17? I just realized what mine is. Do you have a verse that backs you up? Then, praise God for what He has and is doing in your life. Thank Him for His grace and mercy. Thank Him for His protection, provision, and presence. He is listening. Then act upon your trust in God.

Listen to CeCe Winans – Be Still and Know (Official Lyric Video).

Mattthew 6:34, “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” ESV

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” NIV

What things cause you not to have a high peace quotient currently? Is it your health? Is it political things going on? Financial concerns can be heavy. It could be a child, young or adult, making unwise choices you wish they would change, with having a sharpened conscience to make the needed moral, ethical, Christ honoring obedience in their life. Or maybe it is feeling neglected by a loved one. Then there are work pressure conflicts. These are all real and valid concerns from receiving bad news that can disrupt our sleep at night. I have been there on some of these things occasionally, and during this past month. Have you?

Worry and concern are similar and yet different. Worry can cause health issues and immobilize us because it will consume our thoughts. However, concern motivates us to take action and pray to God for help. Worry reduces your ability to trust in God. My NIV Application Bible has a note on Matthew 6:34: “Planning for tomorrow is time well spent; worry about tomorrow is time wasted. Sometimes it’s difficult to tell the difference. Careful planning is thinking ahead about goals, steps, and schedules, and trusting in God’s guidance. When done well, planning can help alleviate worry. Worriers, by contrast, are consumed by fear and find it difficult to trust God. They let their plans interfere with their relationship with God. Don’t let your worries about tomorrow affect your relationship with God today.” Wise words to put in place.

James 4:14 states, “Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little while then vanishes.” We have to recognize God’s providential control and that life is temporary. Do you realize “today” is going to turn into a “tomorrow” within 24 hours or less? Think about that. Therefore, commit to God your anxious concerns that are filling up your thoughts right now. There will always be bad news reported on our various social media sources. Sometimes a medical doctor gives what is considered bad news from the tests and X-rays performed. But pray Psalm 121:1-3 and let it replace your anxious thoughts because no one can hinder God: “I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.”

Need God to take care of you right now about something heavy on your heart? Read out loud Proverbs 1:33, “But whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease without dread of disaster.” Then ask God to help you apply Psalm 112:6-8a to the situation: “For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered forever. He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD. His heart is steady; he will not be afraid.” Worry affects our trust in God. Stand firm in His strength of protection, presence, and provision over you even when receiving bad news. Relax and rest in the security that God has a sovereign plan, therefore you are secure in Him. In 24 hours or less, today will turn into tomorrow. Focus on your relationship with God today. Proverbs 1:7a declares “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.” Wise Solomon, the wisest man that ever lived, stated the conclusion of the matter is, in Ecclesiastes 12:13, “Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man.” How is my devotion to God and am I afraid of doing anything that will displease and grieve Him is the first question we need to ask ourselves when hearing bad news. He will see you through. Trust in God.

Listen to Aware Worship – Trust In God (Featuring Mark Gutierrez).

Mark 10:14-15, “But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

Jesus always responded with compassion and wisdom to people that came to Him. Some, including the disciples, thought He should spend more time with more important leaders to improve His position and avoid criticism rather than with the children brought to Him. But Jesus knew He didn’t need to do that because of His divinity (John 1:1). He was more concerned about the kingdom of God and those people that needed Him, as it says in Mark 1:14-15, “Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, the good news of salvation, and saying, “The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand, repent and believe in the gospel.”

For children to feel secure, they only need a loving look and a gentle touch, such as a hug from someone who cares. They believe in someone if they trust them. Jesus pointed out that people should believe in Him with this same childlike faith. Some adults must analyze with intellectual reasoning whether God is real and all the mysteries of the universe. Not children – it is enough for them to know God loves them and provides forgiveness for their sins through Jesus Christ, who shed His blood on the cross for all that will repent and accept Him as their Lord and Savior. Adults need to have the same simple trusting attitude in depending upon Jesus.

“When Christ was walking with the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, He said to them, “O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken. “(Luke 24:25). “Here is God’s Word,” He says, “You have not believed or trusted the Word of God.” And so this is the childlike faith, in the children of God to just simply trust the promises.” Chuck Smith, The Gift of Faith. That is what we need to grow in – trusting the promises of God one day at a time. What do children do when they get hurt or have a problem? They run to their father or mother for help. That is what the example Jesus was trying to get across to his disciples about childlike faith totally depending upon God for His mercy and grace for our daily needs.

The question I must ask myself is, have I gotten to the point where my faith has increased to the point that things do not disturb me anymore because I know it is all in God’s hands and He will take care of it? I would have to say some days, yes, and some days, I fail miserably. I like what David Guzik said in his commentary found in the Blue Letter Bible, “We must come to God with a faith that trusts God just like a little child trusts his father – and leave all the problems up to daddy.” Lastly, remember Romans 8:16 which states: “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God”-you are a child of God. You are made in His image. Therefore, trust in God with childlike faith.

What is concerning and or bothering you right now? Talk it over with Him. Trust the Lord in handling your problem in childlike faith as you are being transformed into His image (2 Corinthians 3:18) which is a progressive experience. All of your risks, humiliations, and trials are steppingstones, opportunities, for Christ to show His power to you. No one can destroy what God wants to accomplish through you. Trust Him with childlike faith.

Listen to I Trust You Lord by Mill City Music.

Psalm 125:1-2, “Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, from this time forth and forevermore.”

Have you had someone in your life who was a strong example of having their faith firmly planted in the Lord, despite obstacles? I can think of a few that God has blessed me with that I look up to. We all go through various seasons in life. The theme of Psalm 125 is God is our protector. Do you realize that when you read God’s Word in the morning, it is preparing you for your circumstances in the day ahead? God’s counsel, found in His Word, will give direction, wisdom, and a shield of protection that we need first to employ and respond to. Our trust must first be placed in the LORD over anything or anyone else as Psalm 46:1 states, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”

“It is a good thing to understand much, and to trust in the Lord with growing knowledge, but, dear soul, if you do not know much, yet if you are trusting in the Lord, you shall be as Mount Zion, which cannot be removed.” Spurgeon. I have needed to be reminded of that this week as I felt my intelligence and capability with something was extremely lacking and incomplete in an assignment that has a due date of May 15th.

Mount Zion was a prominent hill upon which Jerusalem was established and protected. Psalm 121:1 declares, “I lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.”  Psalm 125:1 promises the same security to us as believers. When we put our trust in the LORD, we have His protection and love 24-7. We will be like a mountain, surrounded by His presence. Nothing passes through unless it first passes through our LORD and Savior. God is our refuge and shield.

Putting all your trust in the LORD brings about consistency of character. In Psalm 125:4, the psalmist intercedes for his people when he says, “Do good, O LORD, to those who are good, to those who are upright in heart.” Then in Proverbs 2:7, we are taught: “He holds victory for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless.” When your faith and trust in God is real and genuine, and you call out for His insight and understanding, you will be governed by high integrity and upright conduct outwardly and will reflect Christ, who lives within your heart and soul. That is one way that God protects you as you understand the fear of the LORD (Proverbs 2:5).

Think about the result of trusting God to see you through, even when you cannot, and things look impossible. Jehovah Jireh, God will provide, because He loves you. Have you asked Him? Someday it will be all clear as we do not yet see or understand everything. Trust in Him. You have a relationship with Him that endures forever and a secure position in Christ as Psalm 125 declares this great message of hope. Remember whose you are as 1 John 2:20a states, “But you have been anointed by the Holy One.” So, as you trust the LORD, you will stay steady as a rock and won’t be defeated. Hang on a little longer. Integrity speaks words you may not have to speak yourself. Put your name in Hebrews 10:35-36, “So do not throw away your confidence, it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” Trusting God will then bring about consistency in your character. He’s got this rock solid! Trust in Him.

Listen to CeCe Winans – More Than This (Official Lyric Video).

Psalm 9:10, “Those who know your name, will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.”

We all are coming out of a trial or about to enter one. You know those times when you feel like you are in a desert. God never promised us a life free of trials and suffering. As you recall, times of extreme difficulty you have gone through was it a time of building your faith, wisdom, and character as you sought God’s deliverance. Did you maintain your trust in His care above anyone else? Some of my trials in life have been short in length, and others have lasted for several years. Yet God always came through in the end in His chosen time, as I learned to focus on God’s ability to provide His answer over anyone else. Was that the core reason He intended for me to know? He is still teaching me that fact.

Our promise is in Psalm 91:10, which states, “Because he loves me” says the LORD, “I will rescue him. I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.”  Then Psalm 52:9 declares, “I will praise you forever for what you have done; in your name I will hope, for your name is good. I will praise you in the presence of your saints.” When we think of using God’s name, we think of His authority, character, majesty, power, and attributes.

God has the final authority in all things.

• God caused an earthquake to confuse the Philistines in battle, who went into a great panic, which gave the victory to Jonathan and his armor-bearer in 1 Samuel 14.
• God used hail to help Joshua and the Israelites win a battle in Joshua 10. “There were more who died because of the hailstones than the sons of Israel killed with the sword.” Verse 11.
• God has the final say, and His ultimate purpose will come to pass as we are promised in Romans 8:28, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

In times of trouble, often feelings of despair set in. Anxiety is real. Try defeating those emotions by praising the Lord in your worship of Him. David wrote Psalm 9, a song celebrating God’s help and goodness for defending him against his enemies. David praised God not only for His mercy, but for His righteous rule and righteous judgment. Paul quoted David in Acts 17:31: “He shall judge the world in righteousness.”

It is common to feel abandoned and all alone when facing uncomfortable issues, significant perplexing troubles, or overcommitted time requirements and deadlines for which you are responsible. But the LORD knows your name (Isaiah 43:1) and goes before you (Deuteronomy 31:8). Ask Him what He wants you to accomplish and experience during those predicaments. He is going to see you through. Be quiet and do what  Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still and know that I am God.”

There is power in God’s name, who is all-sufficient, controls all things, and is the great I AM. David said in Psalm 8:9, “O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!” Thank Him for what He has done for you in the past and what He will do for you in the future. Trust Him. That is where your hope is found. There is power in His name. May we echo Mary’s song of praise recorded in Luke 1:49, which states, “For he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.”

Listen to Nikki Hopkins – I Don’t Know How.

Job 1:1, “There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil.”

When you go through a challenging and painful time, does your integrity, steadfast faith, and trust in God hold firm and are you able to trust Him no matter what, and not focus on the why? Do you question if anyone cares or understands what you are going through? For me, some of those times have been due to my mistakes and wrong choices, and other times, through no fault of my own. Job is an example of a man of godly character. He had the highest integrity and feared God for His sovereignty, holiness, and power. He recognized God’s authority over all creation. He was reverent to God and avoided evil in all of his affairs. Job was a good man who had children who did not always follow and obey God. He was like a priest to his family whose children needed constant praying of intercession on their behalf. Satan pointed out to God how successful Job was due to God’s blessing. Then verse 11 starts the story of when bad things sometimes happen to good people: “But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.” God allowed this testing, but God is compassionate and faithful. Satan is a mere creature. Satan looks upon us to do us harm, as he did to Job. But God is Sovereign and promises to work out all things for our good and His glory (Romans, 8:28-29), as He did in the end for Job. God has the last word, and He still does so today.

The book of Job is like reading a journal of all that Job went through and the responses of his non-understanding wife and friends. We get to read how Job lived through this testing time, and what God does not reveal, we cannot know. God never told Job why. It is important to note that Job did not give in to his unsympathetic friend’s unjust and false judgments of him. However, as we all do, he had human weaknesses and committed general sins after the catastrophes came. In the end, he repented of his desire to die, his despair, his complaints against and challenges to God, and his inability of not knowing the why. Job was understandably provoked.

We live in a sin-fallen world. Yet God is omnipotent- He has unlimited power to do anything He wills without anyone’s help. So, the question to all of us is, can you trust in God no matter what when you cannot see beyond today? The promise in Psalms 46:1 is truth as it states, “God is our refuge and strength. An ever-present help in trouble.” This is especially the case when we do not know why. God is always just and fair and loves us unconditionally. At the end of Job’s suffering, he declares to God, “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. . . I have uttered what I did not understand . . . I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” Job 42:2-6. I think this is the key to understanding the book of Job and shows us the need of having a sensitive heart. God cannot overlook sin, yet understood Job’s weaknesses, as He does with us.

Leave your unanswered questions with God. Trust in Him when you cannot see the ending. Trust in God’s sovereignty and justice, as Job did in the end. Trust and obey. Have the fear of God rather than man. Do you fully understand God? That is the lesson we learn when we go through suffering. See God with your eyes of faith. Grasp God’s majesty and faithfulness. God decides when it is enough. The reason for Job’s crisis was a contention between Satan and God, as is recorded in Job 1 and 2. “Simply put, “Without anger toward him, God allowed Job to suffer in order to humiliate the Accuser and provided support to countless sufferers who would follow in Job’s footsteps. This was now accomplished.” Blue Letter Bible David Guzik Commentary. Elmer Bernard Smick.

Various philosophies of Job’s friends were not his solution to his trials. Job broke the captivity of their false accusatory words by praying for them. He forgave them that had misjudged and hurt him. This point really impacted me this week. “After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD restored his prosperity and doubled his previous possessions.” Job 42:10. May the captivity of my emotions not be my downfall when facing problems, and people that bug me, and have disappointed me. May I persevere with endurance in living out Psalms 119:92-96, “If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life.” I don’t have all the answers, but I know the planner-majestic God. Being in His presence will provide a clearer vision of myself and of God, therefore He is all that I need. He is all that you need, even what you don’t have all the answers.

Listen to Phil Wickham, Psalm 23 (Official Lyric Video) ft. Tiffany Hudson.