Post by cspain03 on Sept 20, 2014 12:28:01 GMT
Good Morning !! I pray you all are doing well and will have a chance to enjoy this beautiful day :-)
From today's reading these verses stood out to me:
7 "Why do the wicked go on living, grow old, even increase in power?
8 Their children are firmly established in their presence, their offspring before their eyes.
9 Their houses are safe and without fear; and no rod of punishment from God is upon them.
14 So they say to God, 'Turn away from us! We do not want to know your ways.
15 Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him? What would we gain if we were to pray to him?'
16 But their prosperity is not their own doing. The counsel of the wicked is far from me!
23 "One man dies in his full vigor, completely secure and prosperous,
24 his body well nourished, and the marrow of his bones moist.
25 And another man dies in bitterness of soul, never having tasted anything good.
26 Together they lie down in the dust, and worms cover over them both.
For me these verse really highlight something that I've struggled with - how does God expect me to be a convince those who aren't believers or have fallen away from God to come to Christ when there is so much pain and destruction and evil in the world and when it seems that evil poeople/those who could care less about following the Word of God and having a relationship with The Lord are doing SO WELL?!?! It's hard to defend God's fairness when there are people dying because there can't get access to clean water but here we are dumping buckets of ice water on ourselves. It's hard to say God is a provider and protector and lover of those who follow the Word when we see so many in need and many of are Christians/have strong relationships with Christ.
I've asked myself "how can I get someone in sin to see they should change when they aren't reaping any consequences for there actions?" Or "how do I convince my kids in children's church that there is more to life than being super rich or popular or that it's better to be nice than nasty when the world paints a picture otherwise and all you see is the rich mean people making out well in the world?" It's really hard - so I can feel Job's frustration. Why should those doing wrong change there ways if they are reaping such good lives without punishment ?!?! They have no reason to feel the need to change or listen to someone telling them to change if things just work out, even if there are examples of things not working out for others - they're fine. "Imma do me and do what I like - I might as well enjoy my life YOLO!" Or " why would I give this or that up to be more like Christ when all you Christians are out here struggle just as much or more than I am - at least I get pleasure from what I am doing!"
However I recently read a devotional from Rick Warren stating that were as Christians are meant to be WITNESSES not The Atorney. We just need to say what we know about Christ and live as examples of God's Word - it's God's job to do the convincing and make the defending arguments. What a relief!!! I am also reminded by verses 23-26 : at the end of the day, we all die! Know one is exempt. That brings me comfort because its a reminder that my time on earth is temporary and is not the goal ! My goal is eternity with my Heavenly Father ! So yes, is like nice things and easy living. But I'd rather have to go through done things now and have a relationship with Christ that requires sacrifice here on earth so that when judgement day comes The Lord will be able to say "well find my good and faithful servant!" Eternity in heaven, rejoicing and praising God is way better than any material thing this world could ever offer of earthly satisfaction that I could ever gain !!!
Y'all have a great day and stay encouraged to keep trusting God and doing right!!!
From today's reading these verses stood out to me:
7 "Why do the wicked go on living, grow old, even increase in power?
8 Their children are firmly established in their presence, their offspring before their eyes.
9 Their houses are safe and without fear; and no rod of punishment from God is upon them.
14 So they say to God, 'Turn away from us! We do not want to know your ways.
15 Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him? What would we gain if we were to pray to him?'
16 But their prosperity is not their own doing. The counsel of the wicked is far from me!
23 "One man dies in his full vigor, completely secure and prosperous,
24 his body well nourished, and the marrow of his bones moist.
25 And another man dies in bitterness of soul, never having tasted anything good.
26 Together they lie down in the dust, and worms cover over them both.
For me these verse really highlight something that I've struggled with - how does God expect me to be a convince those who aren't believers or have fallen away from God to come to Christ when there is so much pain and destruction and evil in the world and when it seems that evil poeople/those who could care less about following the Word of God and having a relationship with The Lord are doing SO WELL?!?! It's hard to defend God's fairness when there are people dying because there can't get access to clean water but here we are dumping buckets of ice water on ourselves. It's hard to say God is a provider and protector and lover of those who follow the Word when we see so many in need and many of are Christians/have strong relationships with Christ.
I've asked myself "how can I get someone in sin to see they should change when they aren't reaping any consequences for there actions?" Or "how do I convince my kids in children's church that there is more to life than being super rich or popular or that it's better to be nice than nasty when the world paints a picture otherwise and all you see is the rich mean people making out well in the world?" It's really hard - so I can feel Job's frustration. Why should those doing wrong change there ways if they are reaping such good lives without punishment ?!?! They have no reason to feel the need to change or listen to someone telling them to change if things just work out, even if there are examples of things not working out for others - they're fine. "Imma do me and do what I like - I might as well enjoy my life YOLO!" Or " why would I give this or that up to be more like Christ when all you Christians are out here struggle just as much or more than I am - at least I get pleasure from what I am doing!"
However I recently read a devotional from Rick Warren stating that were as Christians are meant to be WITNESSES not The Atorney. We just need to say what we know about Christ and live as examples of God's Word - it's God's job to do the convincing and make the defending arguments. What a relief!!! I am also reminded by verses 23-26 : at the end of the day, we all die! Know one is exempt. That brings me comfort because its a reminder that my time on earth is temporary and is not the goal ! My goal is eternity with my Heavenly Father ! So yes, is like nice things and easy living. But I'd rather have to go through done things now and have a relationship with Christ that requires sacrifice here on earth so that when judgement day comes The Lord will be able to say "well find my good and faithful servant!" Eternity in heaven, rejoicing and praising God is way better than any material thing this world could ever offer of earthly satisfaction that I could ever gain !!!
Y'all have a great day and stay encouraged to keep trusting God and doing right!!!
