Informing God

Focus verses: Job 40:1-14

In today's reading, we have done with the thoughts of men and hear directly from God. Hearing directly from God is terrifying. Those who have heard God's voice have always had one reaction. "I'm unworthy."

That is Job's cry here. It was Isaiah's understanding. The centurion and John the Baptist were aware of their unworthiness.

The presence of God is awesome! In His presence we are tongue-tied and totally inadequate. His greatness makes us acutely aware of our smallness. His infinite wisdom shrivels our arrogant assumptions to nothingness.

So God asks Job if he can do all the things God has done. The obvious answer is "no."

You see, God is omniscient. He knows all things - past, present and future. I have never taken anything to God in prayer and had Him respond "oh, really? I didn't know that."

More often His response is something like "at last you brought this to Me." We cannot inform God anymore than we can replicate all of creation. When we speak to God, He simply wants us to admit to Him all that we think or want or plan. He wants us to share our hearts with Him willingly. That is our invitation for Him to take control and be truly sovereign in our lives.

You see, God limits Himself in only one area. He will not override man's free will. If you choose to live a life without Him, He will let you. And He will let you reap the consequences of that decision. If you choose to follow Him, He will help you. And you will reap that harvest as well.

The only information we can give to God is the information of our choice (which He already knows anyway). But He asks us to inform Him directly, verbally, and preferably in public.

It is difficult, if not impossible, to be a closet Christian. If you are a Christian, your life will reflect the presence of God. Your actions are determined by His statutes. Your attitudes become like Christ's attitudes. That is one goal of the Christian life, becoming Christ-like.

The other goal is to inform others of God - more by actions and attitudes than by oratory. We've all heard the platitude "actions speak louder than words." Nowhere is that more true than in the life of the disciple of Christ.

Father, God,

Help us to remember our place in Your plans for this world. Grant that we may always be and think and do as You would have us. Teach us at all times.

In Jesus' most precious name.
Amen.

Every Knee Shall Bow

Focus verses: Isaiah 45:15-25

God is, and always has been, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. But here He claims He will be God for those who are not blood descendants of Jacob (Israel).

He calls the fugitives from the nations to an assembly. He invites them to turn to Him, not the idols of this world, and be saved. What a precious invitation!

No longer do you have to be a descendant of Jacob to be God's chosen person. You can be anyone, from anywhere. God's arms are open to all.

It is the precursor of another verse.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 KJV

Whosoever... Whosoever can be replaced by any name in the world. Annie, Bob, Carl, David, Elizabeth, Frank, Genevieve, Harriet, Irene, John, Kenneth, Larry, Martin, Nathan, Olivia, Pearl, Quinton, Ralph, Sarah, Tess, Ursula, Victor, Wendy, Xavier, Yvonne, Zelda.

When we turn to God, our knees bow in adoration. But this passage also says that every knee, not just those who turn to Him, will bow. Can you imagine the consternation of not having turned to the Lord and ultimately finding yourself in the position of bowing to him in terror?

Let us resolve to be ambassadors and evangelists so that the number of trembling, terrified knees is lessened and the number of adoring knees is increased.

Father, God,

Help us to reflect Your light to this darkened world. Let us be beacons, leading the lost to You. Grant us the gentleness and tenderness to woo them into Your kingdom.

In Jesus' most precious name.
Amen.