Category: Thoughts and Meditations

“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
Tell me, if you have understanding.”
– Job 38:4

After vast suffering at the hands of Satan and suffering through the miserable advice and spiritual abuse of his “friends”, Job heard from God Himself. Job had been crying out to God, questioning God, arguing with God, and doubting God’s goodness. Now, he’s blessed to hear from God directly.

However, God doesn’t explain Himself. He doesn’t answer Job’s questions. He doesn’t explain the work of Satan or God’s purpose in permitting an evil adversary to work in the world for a time. God doesn’t defend or justify Himself. Instead, He does something much, much better. He reminds Job of His infinite knowledge, eternal perspective, and absolute authority over all of creation. God asks a series of questions that contrast the finite perspective and understanding of any human being with the infinite greatness of Almighty God.

These questions remind Job, and us, that God’s way aren’t our ways. He doesn’t suffer from our flaws, weaknesses, or tainted motives. His thoughts are infinitely superior to our thoughts. His understanding of how all things in creation work together across all of time is infinitely greater than our understanding could ever be. God’s power and involvement in the universe is both unlimited and meticulously detailed. He moves galaxies and cares about the finest details of your life.

When you endure long seasons of suffering, it’s natural to believe that answers to the question of “why” will satisfy your hurting soul. They won’t. What will truly satisfy your soul is a deeper appreciation, relationship, and worship of the infinitely good, wise, powerful, and present God of the universe. Rather than argue with Him, find true and lasting peace in knowing Him more richly. Cultivate His presence in your life. Bask in His goodness, love, and mercy. Soak in His Scripture. Meditate on His infinite greatness and personal presence. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t know everything. Rejoice in knowing the One Who does!

“But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. He who saw it has borne witness—his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth—that you also may believe.” – John 19:34-35

Here, John wants us all to know one thing for certain…Jesus was absolutely, completely dead on that cross. John saw it with his own eyes and there was no mistaking it. The Romans made sure Jesus was truly dead and He was. Stabbed in the side with a spear, there was no moaning or groaning. Just the pouring out of blood and fluid. This is important to know and believe – Jesus truly died on that cross.

His death matters because of what happened just a few days later. Jesus came back to life. Jesus rose from the dead, physically alive, eating and fellowshiping with His followers. Many hundreds of witnesses would be able to verify this fact personally for decades afterward. However, the power of those appearances lies in the assurance that Jesus had been truly dead.

The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is the most important event in all of human history! It’s the proof that His sacrifice on our behalf was sufficient and accepted by God. Our sins have been paid for. We just need to believe in Jesus as Lord to be saved. We can rationally and confidently believe – because He is the One Who died and rose from death.

We can believe in life after death for ourselves because Jesus led the way. We can believe in everything Jesus ever said and did, because He rose from the dead. We can believe Jesus is truly the Son of God because He rose from the dead. There is no greater truth or better good news and it all begins with the confidence that Jesus really did die for you on that cross!

“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
Tell me, if you have understanding.”
– Job 38:4

After vast suffering at the hands of Satan and suffering through the miserable advice and spiritual abuse of his “friends”, Job heard from God Himself. Job had been crying out to God, questioning God, arguing with God, and doubting God’s goodness. Now, he’s blessed to hear from God directly.

However, God doesn’t explain Himself. He doesn’t answer Job’s questions. He doesn’t explain the work of Satan or God’s purpose in permitting an evil adversary to work in the world for a time. God doesn’t defend or justify Himself. Instead, He does something much, much better. He reminds Job of His infinite knowledge, eternal perspective, and absolute authority over all of creation. God asks a series of questions that contrast the finite perspective and understanding of any human being with the infinite greatness of Almighty God.

These questions remind Job, and us, that God’s way aren’t our ways. He doesn’t suffer from our flaws, weaknesses, or tainted motives. His thoughts are infinitely superior to our thoughts. His understanding of how all things in creation work together across all of time is infinitely greater than our understanding could ever be. God’s power and involvement in the universe is both unlimited and meticulously detailed. He moves galaxies and cares about the finest details of your life.

When you endure long seasons of suffering, it’s natural to believe that answers to the question of “why” will satisfy your hurting soul. They won’t. What will truly satisfy your soul is a deeper appreciation, relationship, and worship of the infinitely good, wise, powerful, and present God of the universe. Rather than argue with Him, find true and lasting peace in knowing Him more richly. Cultivate His presence in your life. Bask in His goodness, love, and mercy. Soak in His Scripture. Meditate on His infinite greatness and personal presence. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t know everything. Rejoice in knowing the One Who does!

“But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. He who saw it has borne witness—his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth—that you also may believe.” – John 19:34-35

Here, John wants us all to know one thing for certain…Jesus was absolutely, completely dead on that cross. John saw it with his own eyes and there was no mistaking it. The Romans made sure Jesus was truly dead and He was. Stabbed in the side with a spear, there was no moaning or groaning. Just the pouring out of blood and fluid. This is important to know and believe – Jesus truly died on that cross.

His death matters because of what happened just a few days later. Jesus came back to life. Jesus rose from the dead, physically alive, eating and fellowshiping with His followers. Many hundreds of witnesses would be able to verify this fact personally for decades afterward. However, the power of those appearances lies in the assurance that Jesus had been truly dead.

The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is the most important event in all of human history! It’s the proof that His sacrifice on our behalf was sufficient and accepted by God. Our sins have been paid for. We just need to believe in Jesus as Lord to be saved. We can rationally and confidently believe – because He is the One Who died and rose from death.

We can believe in life after death for ourselves because Jesus led the way. We can believe in everything Jesus ever said and did, because He rose from the dead. We can believe Jesus is truly the Son of God because He rose from the dead. There is no greater truth or better good news and it all begins with the confidence that Jesus really did die for you on that cross!

“He shall judge between many peoples,
and shall decide disputes for strong nations far away;
and they shall beat their swords into plowshares,
and their spears into pruning hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
neither shall they learn war anymore;”
– Micah 4:3

In a world full of war, be encouraged that God’s ultimate plan is for perfect peace. Though we currently live in a violent, dark, hate-filled, war-plagued world, when Christ returns, perfect shalom peace will reign over the world. Yes, there will be a final battle, but Micah 4 reminds us of God’s ultimate plan for perfect peace. God will draw to Himself followers from every nation, tribe, and tongue. He is creating a new family based not on national or ethnic identity but on faith in Jesus Christ.

Citizens of every earthly kingdom and people will one day seek God through Christ, submit to His authority, and worship Him. The bitter divisions between peoples that have characterized our world for so long will be erased. What unites us in Christ will be infinitely greater than what divides us and we will all know and live in light of that. We will truly be one in Christ Jesus!

In that renewed world of peace, our cultural distinctions won’t be lost but our divisions, hatred, and strife will be no more. War will simply be a distant memory and we’ll spend eternity in fruitful labor for God rather than attacking or defending against others made in His image. War is truly terrible, but ultimately, it’s temporary. On that great day, after Christ’s return and the final war has been waged, all that will remain will be perfect peace in Christ. What a day that will be! Until that great day, walk in the peace of Christ’s Spirit no matter what conflict you may experience on earth.