Job lived by a strategy that every man should follow. Make a covenant with your eyes. As Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount, looking with lust is adultery of the heart (Matt. 5:28). What is this lustful look? The first look may be accidental, but it is the second extended look that leads to sin. Keep your eyes to yourself.
Paul found an open door for the gospel in Troas (In modern Turkey, near the ancient ruins of Troy). What is this “door of opportunity?” It is when the Lord causes a certain people in a certain place at a certain time to be receptive to the gospel. We cannot open this door. But we can knock. If no one answers, we go to the next. Our calling is to let the gospel knock on as many doors as we can reach. And when the Lord opens a door, we enter and stay for as long as we’re welcome. Are you looking for open doors where the Lord is already at work causing gospel-receptivity?
ascends to God for his glory” (2 Corinthians 1:20 NLT).
Christ is God’s “Yes!” God’s immutable promises, no matter how varied and how long unkept were fulfilled in Christ. Christ is the absolute fulfillment of God’s promises. Yet, we must say “Yes” in response. God has already shouted “Yes!” in Christ to us. So that through Christ we are able to say “Amen!” (which means “Yes, may it be so”) to Him. When we say “Yes” to Jesus, we receive the Promised One and our “Amen” rises to the ears of the Father and to His glory.
We are often called to minister to others out of the very place that we ourselves have once suffered. The fatherless find comfort in the Father and grow up to care for the widow and orphan. The cancer survivor visits the chemo patient. The addict whom Christ has set free declares the good news to those still in bondage. This ministry would not be possible were it offered from our brokenness. It is possible because it comes from the overflow of comfort that we ourselves have received from God. Have you received this excess of comfort that flows first to you and then through you to others?
As Paul closed his letter to the Corinthians, he reminded them of many people who had served them in the church. As he listed several of these Christian workers by name, he encouraged the believers at Corinth to willingly submit to their leadership and to show them appropriate appreciation for their hard work. One of the marks of the body of Christ is that we are not to look down on those who serve among us. Instead, we are to applaud their service. Who is someone that serves in your life that deserves your appreciation today?
Be strong, immovable, always work with enthusiasm for the Lord. Why? Because of the resurrection and because whatever you plant in faith will grow and produce a harvest. The promise of eternal life should make us fearless in our focus. It should make us immovable (persistently firm and unswerving) in our commitment. Do you ever feel that your work for God is insignificant? That your faith is useless? Remember what Christ gave for you and that when He returns, you will rise to His trumpet’s call. Nothing you do for Him is useless, even the giving of your very life. No good thing is forgotten or wasted that we do in His Name.
Job cried out for a mediator between him and God. He knew that the span between them was too great. He desired one who might shield him from punishment and make it possible for him to speak to the Lord without fear. Job’s prayer has been heard. Jesus is our Mediator. The Bible declares, “There is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5).
Job doesn’t accuse God of being absent, but of being too present. He doesn’t blame his suffering on being forsaken by the Lord as most would do. No. He questions why God would be so interested in such weak, temporal things as man. Out of all of creation, why would God care so much for us? Job had lost nearly everything that he loved, yet he did not lose his faith in God. Like Jacob, he wrestled with God for answers, but did not doubt the One who made him walk with a limp.
Job worshiped the Lord both in happiness and in the midst of suffering. He recognized that all good comes from the Lord. When he lost all that he had, he did not lose his faith. In this, his faith was tested and found genuine. How we face good and bad times reveals the true nature of our faith. How is this season of life affecting your faith?
Commit what? Everything. Trust God with what? Everything. And what will God do? He will help you in everything. What does it mean to “commit” something to the Lord? It means to put it in His hands, to put His Name on it. Have you committed everything to Jesus? Have you trusted your all-in-all to Him? Your possessions? Your hopes and dreams? Your kids? Your spouse? Your schooling or job? What are you doing or owning or desiring that you haven’t turned over to God? Stop holding back and trying to control things yourself. Commit all to Jesus, all to Him, surrender. You can trust Him. He will help.