Throughout Job, we saw the futility of personal control over our circumstances.  After all we live in a broken world where it appears so often that evil wins.  There are times when it appears all is lost and much like Job did, we question God.  Job’s big question came when all of prosperity disappeared in a moment’s time.  Then, now as we turn to Ecclesiastes and ask, what if you had everything?  Would that bring lasting joy apart from God?  Or is that also, futility of thought and action?  After all, a brief glance at the elite and one might see they are some of the most despairing of all.Suicide, drug addiction, drunkenness, and despair reigns rampant among the elite.  Always chasing after the wind.  One more pleasure, another affair, more money, power, prestige.  Yet, it is appointed to every person born, a moment to die.

I saw an article this morning within a women’s magazine describing “smiling depression”; otherwise known as Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD).  It describes those who continue in life with an outward facade of happiness and control; yet, deep within lies a sadness that cannot be overcome.  So afraid that anyone might find out, they march on in silent despair. We chase after the wind and in the end, lie down at night wondering what it is all about. 

C. S.  Lewis wrote: “If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.”

That brings us to the words of Ecclesiastes:

The Futility of All Endeavors

Ecclesiates 1:

1 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.

² 
“Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher.
“Vanity of vanities! All [that is done without God’s guidance] is vanity [futile, meaningless—a wisp of smoke, a vapor that vanishes, merely chasing the wind].”

³ 
What advantage does man have from all his work
Which he does ^[a]under the sun (while earthbound)?
⁴ 
One generation goes and another generation comes,
But the earth remains forever.
⁵ 
Also, the sun rises and the sun sets;
And hurries to the place where it rises again.
⁶ 
The wind blows toward the south,
Then circles toward the north;
The wind circles and swirls endlessly,
And on its circular course the wind returns.

⁷ 
All the rivers flow into the sea,
Yet the sea is not full.
To the place where the rivers flow,
There they flow again.
⁸ 
All things are wearisome and all words are frail;
Man cannot express it.
The eye is not satisfied with seeing,
Nor is the ear filled with hearing.
⁹ 
That which has been is that which will be [again],
And that which has been done is that which will be done again.
So there is nothing new under the sun.
¹⁰ 
Is there anything of which it can be said,
“See this, it is new”?
It has already existed for [the vast] ages [of time recorded or unrecorded]
Which were before us.
¹¹ 
There is no remembrance of earlier things,
Nor also of the later things that are to come;
There will be for them no remembrance
By generations who will come after them.

The Futility of Wisdom

¹² I, the Preacher, have been king over Israel in Jerusalem. ¹³ And I set my mind to seek and explore by [man’s] ^[b]wisdom all [human activity] that has been done under heaven. It is a miserable business and a burdensome task which ^[c]God has given the sons of men with which to be busy and distressed. ¹⁴ I have seen all the works which have been done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity, a futile grasping and chasing after the wind. ¹⁵ What is crooked cannot be straightened and what is defective and lacking cannot be counted.

¹⁶ I spoke with my heart, saying, “Behold, I have acquired great [human] wisdom and experience, more than all who were over Jerusalem before me; and my mind has observed a wealth of [moral] wisdom and [scientific] knowledge.” ¹⁷ And I set my mind to know [practical] wisdom and to discern [the character of] madness and folly [in which men seem to find satisfaction]; I realized that this too is a futile grasping and chasing after the wind. ¹⁸ For in much [human] wisdom there is much displeasure and exasperation; increasing knowledge increases sorrow.

The Futility of Pleasure and Possessions

2 I said to myself, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure and gratification; so enjoy yourself and have a good time.” But behold, this too was vanity (futility, meaninglessness). ² I said of laughter, “It is madness,” and of pleasure, “What does it accomplish?” ³ I explored with my mind how to gratify myself with wine while [at the same time] having my mind remain steady and guide me wisely; and how to take control of foolishness, until I could see what was good for the sons of men to do under heaven all the days of their lives. 

⁴ I made great works: I built houses for myself; I planted vineyards for myself; ⁵ I made gardens and orchards for myself and I planted in them all kinds of fruit trees; ⁶ I made pools of water for myself from which to water the forest and make the trees bud. ⁷ I bought male and female slaves and had slaves born in my house. I also possessed herds and flocks larger than any who preceded me in Jerusalem. ⁸ Also, I collected for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces. I provided for myself male singers and female singers, and the delights and pleasures of men—^[a]many ^[b]concubines.

ALL IS FUTILITY

⁹ So I became great and excelled more than all who preceded me in Jerusalem. My wisdom also remained with me. ¹⁰ Whatever my eyes looked at with desire I did not refuse them.  I did not withhold from my heart any pleasure, for my heart was pleased because of all my labor; and this was my reward for all my labor. ¹¹ Then I considered all which my hands had done and labored to do, and behold, all was vanity and chasing after the wind and there was no profit (nothing of lasting value) under the sun.

Wisdom Excels Folly

¹² So I turned to consider [secular] wisdom, madness, and folly; for what will the man do who succeeds the king? Nothing except what has already been done. ¹³ Then I saw that [even secular] wisdom [that brings sorrow] is better than [the pleasures of] folly and self-indulgence as light excels darkness. ¹⁴ The wise man’s eyes are in his head, but the fool walks in darkness; and yet I know that [in the end] one fate happens to them both. ¹⁵ Then I said to myself, “As it happens to the fool, so death will also happen to me. What use is it then for me to be extremely wise?”

Then I said in my heart, “This too is vanity (meaningless).” ¹⁶ For there is no [more] lasting remembrance of the wise man than of the fool, since in the days to come all will be long forgotten. And how does the wise man die? Even as the fool! ¹⁷ So I hated life, for the work which had been done under the sun caused me only great sorrow; because all is futility and chasing after the wind.

The Futility of Labor

¹⁸ So I hated all the fruit (gain) of my labor for which I had labored under the sun, because I must leave it to the man who will succeed me. ¹⁹ And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have control over all the fruit of my labor for which I have labored by acting wisely under the sun. This too is vanity (futility, self-conceit). ²⁰ So I turned aside and let my heart despair over all the fruit of my labor for which I had labored under the sun.

 ²¹ For there is a man who has labored with wisdom and knowledge and skill yet gives his legacy to one who has not labored for it. This too is vanity and a great evil. ²² For what does a man get from all his labor and from the striving and sorrow of his heart with which he labors under the sun? ²³ For all his days his work is painful and sorrowful; even at night his mind does not rest. This too is vanity (worthless).

²⁴ There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and assure himself that there is good in his labor. Even this, I have seen, is from the hand of God. ²⁵ For who can eat and who can have enjoyment without Him? ²⁶ For to the person who pleases Him God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy; but to the sinner He gives the work of gathering and collecting so that he may give to one who pleases God. This too is vanity and chasing after the wind.

Must We Conclude Futility is our Only Hope?

Paul the Apostle wrote in I Corinthians 15 (nkjv):

 “¹⁹ If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.”

⁵⁰ Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. ⁵¹ Behold, I tell you a ^[m]mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— ⁵² in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. ⁵³ For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. ⁵⁴ So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”

⁵⁵ “O^[n] Death, where is your sting?
O Hades, where is your victory?”

⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. ⁵⁷ But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

⁵⁸ Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

So, Is Futility Our Only Hope in Life?

No, Jesus Christ is our hope of joy in life and in the world to come.  He is the only one that can fulfill the desires of our heart.  We were made for a relationship with Him and nothing on this earth can satisfy that longing.  All else is futility, chasing after the wind.

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?

If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

Poetry Books Available

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7 Precious Promises of God to Remember When Life Hurts

       

Indescribable, Amazing God Speaks. Will you listen to His Voice of Love?

Disclosures

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Credits

All verses of Ecclesiastes were from the AMP version

Amplified Bible (AMP)

Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.

Photo by Craig Whitehead on Unsplash

        Any study of Job begins with the premise that within this book there is the answer to the age-old question, “Why do Good people Suffer?”  Well beyond the truths that God-ordains it as part of his permissive will and suffering is a part of this broken world, we might feel that the answer falls short.  At least in fully explaining why.  God never even told Job why he had faced such suffering and loss.  Yet, hidden in these pages is the richest treasure trove.  There we find 7 precious promises of God.  Ones that we can remember when life hurts. 

These include Precious Promises of God’s Sovereignty, Love, Grace, Justice, Righteousness, Omnipotent Power, and Perfect Plan.  His Will mounts higher than the farthest reaches of all the Galaxies surrounding us.  He sees and executes every minute detail to bring to fruition His plan of Love, Grace, and Mercy to all whom He knows as His own.  Higher than our minds can even comprehend He IS and we can trust Him.  He who created us with the purpose to be loved by Him, to have a close relationship with Him, and to be showered with His joy and His Glory.

Precious Promises of God:  #1

God is Sovereign and In Control:  Isaiah 46:9-11

For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like Me,
¹⁰ Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things that are not yet done,
Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand,
And I will do all My pleasure,’

Calling a bird of prey from the east,
The man who executes My counsel, from a far country.
Indeed I have spoken it;
I will also bring it to pass.
(For) I have purposed it;
I will also do it.

To that some would ask

So Why Did He Allow Evil?

There are multiple reasons; but let me give the one C.S. Lewis wrote.

God created things which had free will.  That means creatures can go either wrong or right.  Some people think they can imagine a creature which was free but had no possibility of going wrong; I cannot.  If a thing is free to be good it is also free to be bad. And free will is what has made evil possible.  Why, then, did God give them free will? Because free will though it makes evil possible, is also the only thing that makes possible any love or goodness or joy worth having.  A world of automata-of creatures that worked like machines-would hardly be worth creating.

The happiness which God designs for His higher creatures is the happiness of being freely, voluntarily united to Him and to each in an ecstasy of love delight compared with which the most rapturous love between a man and a woman on this earth is mere milk and water.  And for that they must be free.^[2] (C. Lewis 1952)

Can Love Be Perfect without Free Will

Without free will, we could never understand nor experience perfect love, joy, hope, or glory.  Instead, we would be like robots wandering about the planet with no depth of feeling and no reasoning. Lewis goes on to say:

Of course, God knew what would happen if they used their freedom the wrong way: apparently, He thought it worth the risk.  Perhaps we feel inclined to disagree with Him.  But there is a difficulty about disagreeing with God. He is the source from which all your reasoning power comes: you could not be right, and He wrong any more than a stream can rise higher than its own source.  When you are arguing against Him you are arguing against the very power that makes you able to argue at all: it is like cutting off the branch you are sitting on.

If God thinks this state of war in the universe a price worth paying for free will—that is, for making a live world in which creatures can do real good or harm and something of real importance can happen, instead of a toy world which only moves when He pulls the strings—then we may take it is worth paying.^[3] (C. Lewis 1952)

Precious Promises of God #2: God Loves You

John 3:¹⁶ For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Willingly He provided the payment so that we might know Him.

Romans 5:8 ⁸ But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

We will never fully understand the cost to Himself to love us; that is, until one day we stand before Him and perhaps not even then. 

Precious Promises of God #3:  God limits our suffering

I Corinthians 10: 12-14

¹² Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. ¹³ No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to ^[a]bear it.

Precious Promises of God #4:  He Never Leaves Us

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? ³⁶ As it is written:

“For Your sake we are killed all day long;
We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”

Romans 8:³⁷ Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, ³⁹ nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Jesus said:

“¹⁹ Go ^[a]therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” ^[b]Amen.

Precious Promises of God #5: He Brings Blessings to Us In Our Suffering

Romans 8: ¹⁸ For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. ¹⁹ For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.

Precious Promises of God #6  He will be with us in our suffering

2 Corinthians 1: ³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, ⁴ who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any ^[a]trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. ⁵ For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our ^[b]consolation also abounds through Christ.

Psalm 34: ¹⁷ The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears,
And delivers them out of all their troubles.
¹⁸ The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart,
And saves such as ^[a]have a contrite spirit.

¹⁹ Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
But the Lord delivers him out of them all.

Precious Promises #7:  All things work together for our Good

Romans 8: ²⁶ Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession ^[g]for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. ²⁷ Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

²⁸ And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. ²⁹ For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. ³⁰ Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

Therefore, even when I do not understand, I trust Him.  Because ultimately all that He does is

For Our Joy and His Glory

Jonathan Edwards presents the argument that ultimately the existence of evil in this world was necessary for both our joy and God’s Glory.   Before balking at this thought, I ask you to read thoroughly His argument.   I will let it stand upon its own merits. Of all the defenses, this one was the one that shone light into my heart during many years of suffering. It provided me with a deeper understanding of my suffering and ultimately lead me to rejoice, even in my suffering.

A CASE for GOD’S GLORY AND OUR JOY

It is a proper and excellent thing for infinite glory to shine forth; and for the same reason, it is proper that the shining forth of God’s glory be complete; that is, that all parts of his glory should shine forth, that every beauty should be proportionably effulgent (=radiant), that the beholder may have a proper notion of God.  It is not proper that one glory should be exceedingly manifested, and another not at all….

Thus, it is necessary, that God’s awful majesty, his authority and dreadful greatness, justice, and holiness, should be manifested.  But this could not be, unless sin and punishment had been decreed; so that the shining forth of God’s glory would be very imperfect, both because these parts of divine glory would not shine forth as the others do, and also the glory of his goodness, love, and holiness would be faith without them; nay, they could scarcely shine forth at all.

If it were not right that God should decree and permit and punish sin, there could be no manifestation of God’s holiness in hatred of sin, or in showing any preference, in his providence, of godliness before it.  There would be no manifestation of God’s grace or true goodness, if there was no sin to be pardoned, no misery to be saved from.  How much happiness so ever he bestowed, his goodness would not be so much prized and admired, and the sense of it not so great….

So, evil is necessary,

in order to the highest happiness of the creature and the completeness of that communication of God, for which he made the world; because the creature’s happiness consists in the knowledge of God, and the sense of his love.  And if the knowledge of him be imperfect, the happiness of the creature must be proportionably imperfect.^[1]  (Edwards 1974)

Therefore, all that He does is for us—to maximize our joy one day. 

Therefore, When Life Hurts, Cling to the Precious Promises of God

He will show you the way and lead you to your expected end of Joy if you will but trust Him.

Due to the rebellion of the nation of Israel, they were sent into captivity.  But remember it was not all the people.  There were those who were faithful as well.   Daniel was one of those.  He read these words in Jeremiah and His heart leapt with joy and hope. 

Jeremiah 29:¹⁰ For thus says the Lord: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you,and cause you to return to this place. ¹¹ For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. 

¹² Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. ¹³ And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. ¹⁴ I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive.

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?

If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

Poetry Books Available

If you enjoy poetry perhaps you would like to read more of my poetry in my newest book which can be found on Amazon

PREVIOUS

Indescribable, Amazing God Speaks. Will you listen to His Voice of Love?

Disclosures

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Credits

New King James Version (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Photo by H.F.E Studio on Unsplash

            When God speaks, will you listen?  That was the question proposed to Job.  It is the same question presented to everyone born throughout history.  It is the story of Adam, Abraham, Jacob, Moses, and Mary.  As well, it is everyone’s story, then and now.  Sometimes, God speaks with a soft, gently voice and sometimes it is through a fiery bush.  It may be as we walk through the fiery furnace, where Jesus joins us to walk beside us.  In our finite thoughts, desires, and hearts; we do not always hear His voice of love and grace.  It seems to be drowned out by all the noise and the evil of this world.  Yet, it His voice of Love that calls to us from the foundations of the world. 

Every detail of this His creation cries out to us that He is Supreme, All Powerful, and indescribable.  How could this universe hold together with such intricate design, were it not for an indescribable Amazing God who chooses to speak with us.  Not His most magnificent creation; yet He chooses to lift us above all else to call us His own children.

Because God loves you so much, He willingly sits patiently with us in our darkest hours.  Individually, He does this.  He who intricately wove us together in our mother’s womb, willingly came to earth, experienced our suffering and our trials.   Then, He took upon Himself all the sin of the world.  A sacrifice so enormous, we cannot comprehend it.  Then He rose again to life, providing a way to save us. 

Why all this?  Could He not have avoided it all?  Yes, but He knew without free will, one cannot choose love or feel its glorious joy.  Nor can one see His splendorous righteousness and justice if evil never occurred. 

God Speaks in the Storms

Last week’s lesson, as Bildad spoke, a thunderous storm was brewing off in the horizon.  In his dissertation, he referred to God’s voice being in the storm. 

Job 37:

  Hear attentively the thunder of His voice,
And the rumbling that comes from His mouth.
³ He sends it forth under the whole heaven,
His ^[a]lightning to the ends of the earth.
⁴ After it a voice roars;
He thunders with His majestic voice,
And He does not restrain them when His voice is heard.
⁵ God thunders marvelously with His voice;
He does great things which we cannot comprehend.

Perhaps, we do not want to hear His voice when it thunders; yet it is His love, mercy and grace that thunders to us for direction, lest we continue down the wrong path.  Sometimes it is for our correction, other times for our edification (to bring us closer within His arms of love where He can shelter us).  Yet, sometimes it is for the good of the Kingdom.  Only He knows because He sees beyond our tiny time/space continuum. 

However, even then, He chooses to remain with us in the storm—very present within our time and space.  Just like Jesus in the storms with His apostles or when He walked in the fiery furnace with Meshach, Shadrack, and Abednego. He did not save them from the fiery furnace.  Instead, the furnace was heated hotter than ever before.  Yet, He walked with them in the furnace and even the smoke did not touch them. 

Therefore, God speaks to us even in the storm.  Perhaps, I dare say, God speaks with greater clarity when we are in the storm.  If only we would be still and listen. 

God Speaks and Job is Silenced.

Finally comes the moment that Job had pleaded for.  God speaks.  He did not come with a full explanation to Job for all the suffering.  Yet, He came with the better answer for Job.  Even though God speaks to Job through a series of questions, revealing to Job how infinitely wise, just, loving and kind God is.  He demonstrated His indescribable power, majesty, justice and mercy through these questions.

Job:38: (TLB) Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind:

² “Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words?  ³ Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.

Remember this, it was a whirlwind—a tornado that took Job’s children.  Now it is a whirlwind from which God speaks.  Just imagine for a moment how Job must have felt.  After all the lofty words he had spoken.  He had said, he wanted God to come before him so he could plead his case, proclaiming himself innocent.  Now we have God thundering voice coming out from the whirlwind to say, “Who are you to question me?  Obviously, you do not know me for who I am.

God Proclaims His Sovereignty, His Brilliance and His Power in Creation

Job 38(TLB)

“Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?
    Tell me, if you know so much.
⁵ Who determined its dimensions
    and stretched out the surveying line?
⁶ What supports its foundations,
    and who laid its cornerstone
⁷ as the morning stars sang together
    and all the angels^[a] shouted for joy?

⁸ “Who kept the sea inside its boundaries
    as it burst from the womb,
⁹ and as I clothed it with clouds
    and wrapped it in thick darkness?
¹⁰ For I locked it behind barred gates,
    limiting its shores.
¹¹ I said, ‘This far and no farther will you come.
    Here your proud waves must stop!’

¹² “Have you ever commanded the morning to appear
    and caused the dawn to rise in the east?
¹³ Have you made daylight spread to the ends of the earth,
    to bring an end to the night’s wickedness?
¹⁴ As the light approaches,
    the earth takes shape like clay pressed beneath a seal;
    it is robed in brilliant colors.^[b]
15 The light disturbs the wicked
    and stops the arm that is raised in violence.

“Have you explored the springs from which the seas come?
    Have you explored their depths?
¹⁷ Do you know where the gates of death are located?
    Have you seen the gates of utter gloom?
¹⁸ Do you realize the extent of the earth?
    Tell me about it if you know!

¹⁹ “Where does light come from,
    and where does darkness go?
²⁰ Can you take each to its home?
    Do you know how to get there?
²¹ But of course you know all this!
For you were born before it was all created,
    and you are so very experienced!

Furthermore,

³¹ “Can you direct the movement of the stars—
    binding the cluster of the Pleiades
    or loosening the cords of Orion?
³² Can you direct the constellations through the seasons
    or guide the Bear with her cubs across the heavens?
³³ Do you know the laws of the universe?
    Can you use them to regulate the earth?

³⁴ “Can you shout to the clouds
    and make it rain?
³⁵ Can you make lightning appear
    and cause it to strike as you direct?
³⁶ Who gives intuition to the heart
    and instinct to the mind?
³⁷ Who is wise enough to count all the clouds?
    Who can tilt the water jars of heaven
³⁸ when the parched ground is dry
    and the soil has hardened into clods?

³⁹ “Can you stalk prey for a lioness
    and satisfy the young lions’ appetites
⁴⁰ as they lie in their dens
    or crouch in the thicket?
⁴¹ Who provides food for the ravens
    when their young cry out to God
    and wander about in hunger?

God speaks of his provision for his creatures as well as His power and wisdom. Then He asks Job to another question.

Job 40 (TLB)

² “Do you still want to argue with the Almighty?
    You are God’s critic, but do you have the answers?

How often do we think we have the answers when in truth, we have none?  This was Job’s conclusion as well.

Job 40 (NKJV)

³ Then Job answered the Lord and said:

⁴ “Behold, I am vile;
What shall I answer You?
I lay my hand over my mouth.
⁵ Once I have spoken, but I will not answer;
Yes, twice, but I will proceed no further.”

God Speaks Again with a Question, we must answer as well

Job 40: (NKJV)

“Now ^[a]prepare yourself like a man;
I will question you, and you shall answer Me:

⁸ “Would you indeed ^[b]annul My judgment?
Would you condemn Me that you may be justified?
⁹ Have you an arm like God?
Or can you thunder with a voice like His?
¹⁰ Then adorn yourself with majesty and splendor,
And array yourself with glory and beauty.
¹¹ Disperse the rage of your wrath;
Look on everyone who is proud, and humble him.
¹² Look on everyone who is proud, and bring him low;
Tread down the wicked in their place.

In other words, Job can you rule the earth?  Put on your best garments of righteousness and see how that goes.

Then Job answered the Lord:

² “I know that you can do all things;
no purpose of yours can be thwarted;
³ you asked,^[a] ‘Who is this who darkens counsel without knowledge?’
But^[b] I have declared without understanding^[c]
things too wonderful for me to know.^[d]
4 You said,^[e] ‘Pay attention, and I will speak;
I will question you, and you will answer me.’
⁵ I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear,
but now my eye has seen you.^[f]
6 Therefore I despise myself,^[g]
and I repent in dust and ashes!”

Concluding Thoughts

And this is you and me.  We question God out of our own ignorance of who He is.  So, often I have done that and still do at times.  Yet, step by step, He is transforming me into the likeness of His Son and the Holy Spirit will not stop His work until it is finished. 

We are sealed by the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption.  Whatever it takes, Lord Jesus transform this heart so that I might see you.  The Holy Spirit within me is the promise already fulfilled.  One day as I close my eyes here on this earth, I will see Him face to face and the magnificence of that, His glory will take my breath away when I run into His arms of love.  No matter what this world may bring, I must keep my eyes on my destination.  God speaks and I long to hear his voice of love in every situation and every moment of this life. 

And the amazing part is.  We can.  The Holy Spirit indwells every believer.  All I must do is choose to die to self that He might live and shine through me.  Therein is fullness of joy here and throughout eternity.  Hallelujah, what a Savior. 

So, the question remains.  Do you know Him?  When God Speaks, even in the storm, will you listen to His voice of love?

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?

If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

Poetry Books Available

If you enjoy poetry perhaps you would like to read more of my poetry in my newest book which can be found on Amazon

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How Do you Help the Brokenhearted See God Clearly?

Disclosures

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Credits

Living Bible (TLB)

The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

New King James Version (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Photo by Guillermo Ferla on Unsplash

Whenever we try to counsel the world without the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we get it so terribly wrong. That is also true when we seek counsel. Often our would be counselors can get it so wrong. We hear so much noise surrounding us from the some much media. All are advising us on how to make the next decision or which direction our lives should go. But how do we know what counsel is true and what counsel is terribly wrong. Perhaps as we look at Job’s friends, we can learn from their failures. After all, they drove Job farther away from God’s truth and deeper into despair. This despite their using theology as their supposed truth. Falling short of real truth, they exchanged Godly truth for a lie wrapped in the appearance of virtue. Is that not what we so often see today?

JOB’S COUNSELORS SO TERRIBLY WRONG

Each of his friends approached the situation with words they felt were helpful; but only drove Job farther away from the truth of God’s essence and Glory. This being the case until Elihu who finally spoke with both grace and humility.  As we explore the words of the counselors as well as the response of Job, let us learn ourselves not to lean on our own understanding concerning the tragedies that befall this earth including the suffering of brothers and sisters in Christ.  Rather than to get it so terribly wrong, let us seek understanding through the Holy Spirit’s comforting truth.   

Here in the book of Job we do see the stark contrast of human counselors with that of The Comforter.  We can, like Elihu surrender our hearts and minds humbly to the Holy Spirit within us that He may guide us to display the truth of God’s character.  Or we can like Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar get it so terribly wrong. Unlike these counselors of old, we have the distinct privilege of being indwelt by the Holy Spirit always.  If only we would learn to surrender all to Him. 

I Corinthians 1(NET):³ Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, ⁴ who comforts us in all our troubles so that we may be able to comfort those experiencing any trouble^[c] with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. ⁵ For just as the sufferings of Christ overflow^[f toward us, so also our comfort through Christ overflows to you.

What was so Terribly Wrong with what Eliphaz spoke?

Job suddenly after a week of silence spoke forth bemoaning the day that he was born.  Forgetting about all the good that had happened, much like Jimmy Stewart in “It’s a Wonderful Life”, Job forgot all about the goodness of God that had been bestowed on him.  In a sense, the uplifting strength of the truth that “God giveth and God taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lord” had faded in Job’s own despair.  As his eyes turned away from God to look upon his current suffering, Job lost sight of his only true hope.

This is where Eliphaz broke into the conversation.  Based upon his own observations of life and visons, he began with both flattery and accusation at the same time.  To paraphrase:  “Oh, you who have comforted so many; yet, cannot comfort yourself”. Eliphaz’s style was that of the Intellectual Authoritarian who believes himself to be the virtuous one who can declare what is right and wrong for everyone–the aristocratic elite.

Job 4 (NET)

Call to mind now
Who being innocent, ever perished?
And where were upright people^[w] ever destroyed?
⁸ Even as I have seen, those who plow^[z] iniquity
and those who sow trouble reap the same
⁹ By the breath of God they perish,
and by the blast of his anger they are consumed.

Therefore, Job you must be guilty of some terrible sin.  Here stood Eliphaz confronting Job of wrongdoing without any proof.  Indeed, was Eliphaz somewhat self-exalting to be dare accuse this man who was known for his integrity?  Before this, Job had been known by all as the most Godly man on earth.  Was Eliphaz elated to be able to accuse him now of being “not so Godly, after all”. 

How often is that the case among would-be Christian counselors within our churches today?  And certainly we see it among our leaders who accuse others of the very things they do by twisting the truth and speaking with such eloquence and virtue signaling, though laced with lies.

An Appeal to the Supernatural

Eliphaz then tries to add further weight to his speech by describing a vision he had while sleeping. 

Job 4 (NET)

“Now a word was stealthily brought to me,
and my ear caught a whisper  of it.
¹³ In the troubling thoughts  of the dreams^[ in the night
when a deep sleep falls on men,
¹⁴ dread  gripped me and trembling,
which made all my bones shake.
¹⁵ Then a breath of air^[av] passes^[ by my face;
it makes  the hair of my flesh stand up.
¹⁶ It stands still,
but I cannot recognize its appearance;
an image is before my eyes,
and I hear a murmuring voice:

¹⁷ ‘Is a mortal man  righteous before God?
Or a man pure before his Creator?
¹⁸ If  God puts no trust in  his servants
and attributes^[bl] folly to his angels,
¹⁹ how much more to those who live in houses of clay,
whose foundation is in the dust,
who are crushed like a moth?
²⁰ They are destroyed between morning and evening
they perish forever^[bs] without anyone regarding it
²¹ Is not their excess wealth taken away from them?
They die yet without attaining wisdom.

In other words.  Job, everyone has sinned.  So just publicly proclaim your sin right now before God and us, so you can possibly be restored.  Let us hear all the details of your sin.  Confess it now. 

Comforters gone amuck and terribly wrong.

Eliphaz did not stop there but went on to imply that Job’s children died because of his sin.  All this came as judgement from God for whatever act of disobedience Job had committed against God.

Job 5 (NET) “Call now!  Is there anyone who will answer you?

To which of the holy ones will you turn?
² For wrath kills the foolish person
and anger slays the silly one.
³ I^, myself, have seen the fool taking root,
but suddenly I cursed his place of residence
⁴ His children are far from safety,
and they are crushed at the place where judgment is rendered
nor is there anyone to deliver them.

Essentially Eliphaz was saying, “No one can help you until you acknowledge your terrible sin.  This is all your fault because God is just and would not allow all this unless you had sinned horrendously against Him.  If it were me, Job, I would seek God.”  As though Job had not been. 

And to this Job replied with even greater anguish.  For the life of himself, he could not see beyond the depth of his pain and suffering.  Even worse, he knew that God IS Sovereign.   He must have been the one who sent such agony.  But why?  Job wondered what possibly his crime was to deserve this?     

Spiraling downward Eliphaz was terribly wrong.

As Eliphaz later speaks it becomes clear that his is a totalitarian ideology.  What I say is true.  Your punishment fits the crime.  Therefore, you must have committed a crime and you must confess that crime now to be relieved of your agony.  “You are a blustering wind bag Job with no knowledge” (Job 15). 

By his third speech (Job22), Eliphaz made up lies against Job with false accusations of great crimes never committed—just to prove himself right in the eyes of the others.  Typical authoritarianism which grows in its desire to appear wise and good, so lies become the means of arrival with the end justifying the means.  Perhaps he thought Job would turn and confess what was his true crime in a fit of rage.  However, instead Job became outraged in his defense of himself to the point that he questioned whether God was just in His dealings with humanity. 

Job longed to see God; but had been driven to a place where he lost sight of where even to look for God. 

23 Then Job answered:

² “Even today my complaint is still bitter
his hand is heavy despite my groaning.
³ O that I knew where I might find him,
that I could come to his place of residence!…

⁸ “If I go to the east, he is not there,
and to the west, yet I do not perceive him.
⁹ In the north when he is at work,
I do not see him;
when he turns to the south,
I see no trace of him.
¹⁰ But He knows the pathway that I take
……………………….
¹³ But he is unchangeable. Who can change him?
Whatever he has desired, he does.
¹⁴ For he fulfills his decree against me
and many such things are his plans
¹⁵ That is why I am terrified in his presence;
when I consider, I am afraid because of him.
¹⁶ Indeed, God has made my heart faint;^[
the Almighty has terrified me.
¹⁷ Yet I have not been silent because of the darkness,
because of the thick darkness
that covered my face.

Have you been there?  That place where the agony is so great you do not know where to turn.  You have forgotten that God is right there with you.  What you need is a real friend willing to stay beside you while gently reminding you that God IS wise, good and has a plan for your good.  But Job’s counselors were certainly not that kind. 

Bildad the Traditionalist—Human Thoughts of Wisdom, totally wrong

So, Bildad enters his first dialogue guns blazing!  As Job pleaded his case regarding his suffering, Bildad blasted into his speech with no empathy or grace.

Job 8: ² “How long will you speak these things,
seeing that the words of your mouth
are like a great wind?
³ Does God pervert justice?
Or does the Almighty pervert what is right?
⁴ If your children sinned against him,
he gave them over to the penalty^] of their sin….
⁸ “For inquire now of the former generation,and pay attention to the findings
of their ancestors.

In other words.  Job you are guilty, guilty, guilty.  If not, this would not have happened to you.  This is God’s wrath against you, look at the corridors of history.  Ah, but that is just it.  The corridors of history demonstrate God’s mercy on those who trust in Him by Grace Alone, through faith alone—not of works.  Adam sinned.  Yet God provided the means of salvation.  Sin filled life with grief and toil; but God did not abandon Adam.    So, Bildad as with all who turn to humanistic thinking, is terribly wrong.  Bildad like the other counselors only drove Job farther away from God.  Instead of turning Jobs eyes  to look to God, Bildad’s advice was  “look to the wisdom of ancestors.”

Bildad resumed after Job again pleaded to God to hear his cry.  

Job 15: ⁵ Your sin inspires your mouth;
you choose the language of the crafty.
⁶ Your own mouth condemns you, not I;
your own lips testify against you.
⁷ “Were you the first man ever born?

The harder they pushed; the louder Job protested. 

Then Bildad ends with the only thing everyone agreed on—God is powerful and holds dominion over everything. 

Zophar the legalist—was totally wrong.

Of all the counselors, Zophar was the briefest; yest he was harsh, accusatory, and ruthlessly judgmental.

He began with saying that Job was a bag of hot wind spewing mockeries against God and had to be rebuked.  At no point did Zophar show any empathy or compassion for the grief and suffering of Job.  Then he said, “Job 11²⁰ But the eyes of the wicked fail
and escape eludes them; their one hope is to breathe their last.”

In other words, Job your depression and desire to die are because of your wickedness.

Then when Zophar speaks the second time, he says,

Job 20:  “Surely you know^[i] that it has been from old,

ever since humankind was placed^[j] on the earth,
⁵ that the elation of the wicked is brief,^[k]
the joy of the godless^[l] lasts but a moment.^[m]
6 Even though his stature^[n] reaches to the heavens
and his head touches the clouds,
⁷ he will perish forever, like his own excrement;^[o

By this point these counselors of Job had been so concerned with their own ideologies they did not provide neither comfort nor guidance for Job to turn his eyes back to God.  What was true is that God is Sovereign, powerful and beyond reproach.  However, their delivery was so atrocious that even a good man like Job could not be drawn closer to God.  Instead he was driven into despair

What About Us?

This applies to each of us; both in our giving and receiving of counsel. Do not let worldly counsel drive you away from your only true counselor. Wisdom can only be found in God Alone. As you read and meditate upon His word, dying to self; you allow the Holy Spirit to take over as guide, counselor and teacher. Then, regardless of the circumstances you learn that God is always good. He is Sovereign, remaining on His throne.

His ways may not be yours; however, He knows always just how to take all this stuff and transform it into something beautiful in your life. He is guiding every step of your way. And when we get it terribly wrong, He is ever present in the heart of the believer to lead them to a closer walk with Him. The more we learn of Him, the more joyous our life becomes.

When God allowed Judah to be taken captive by the Babylonians, it was due to their own sin and rebellion against Him. Yet, Jeremiah wrote these words from God even prior to their captivity.

Jeremiah 28 NKJV

¹⁰ For thus says the Lord: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place. ¹¹ For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. ¹² Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. ¹³ And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. ¹⁴ I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back from your captivity;

Let us always remember this too. It is more important that we grow in our knowledge of Him than our temporary comfort here on earth. WE are to be lights of hope to a world that is dying without Him. How can I do that unless I surrender to His will in every circumstance, trusting Him who loves me so much He is unwilling to leave me where He found me–lost and broken.

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?

If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

Poetry Books Available

If you enjoy poetry perhaps you would like to read more of my poetry in my newest book which can be found on Amazon

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Can Wrong Application of Good Theology Actually Destroy Truth Sharing?

Disclosures

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Credits

New English Translation (NET)

NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.

New King James Version (NKJV)

Photo by Luis Galvez on Unsplash