Job 22-27

"But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside. I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.

But he stands alone, and who can oppose him? He does whatever he pleases. He carries out his decree against me, and many such plans he still has in store. That is why I am terrified before him; when I think of all this, I fear him. God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me."

I am reminded this day that no mortal man can ever truly know the ways of our God. The brightest minds of this world cannot figure out the creation of life. How is it that so many of us are bold enough to think we know how God works?

That is the thought that God put in my heart as I read the rebuking of Job's friends. They talk as though they understand God. Evil deeds = suffering. Good deeds = blessing. So Job surely must be an unrepentant secret sinner.

But Job is telling them that God is God, and he has the power and authority to do whatever he wants. The reality of the world is very complex. We live in the world where people living in sin can have great wealth and power. And people walking with God can be poor. What does all this mean?

I'd like to think that those wealthy people living a life of sin have no real happiness in their lives, because material possession cannot bring you lasting joy. Is that really the case? I don't know that for sure. It may be mostly true, but I think this is a theory I thought up just to make myself feel better.

The truth is no one can ever truly know the ways of God. His ways are higher than our ways. He does work in mysterious ways. And so many of us can testify to the unexpectedly wonderful way God works in our lives.

Here is what we know and can say for sure. God loves us. We know because he has sent Jesus Christ to die for us. And we know because, for those of us that have accepted him, he has changed our hearts. That is something only God can do.

So let's be reminded this day that everything we have comes from God. We are nothing aside from the life we have in Christ Jesus. And that's a really good thing:)