TODAY IN THE WORD

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Daniel 11:2-35
Yet he will come to his end, and no one will help him. - Daniel 11:45
TODAY IN THE WORD
In 2003, reporter Geraldo Rivera was removed from his embedded position with troops in Iraq for disclosing too much information in one of his telecasts. Rivera drew a map in the sand to depict details of an upcoming military operation, and military officials and the American public believed that the loose and rough data he let slip could have affected the outcome of future operations.

It wasn't a worldwide newscast, but Daniel's vision forecast the military future of the world in much greater detail than any news agency could ever hope to do—and over the course of several centuries, those predictions came true. Comparing Daniel 11 to a book of ancient history, we can see that Daniel gave the world advance notice of the progression from the Persians (v. 2), to Alexander the Great's Greek empire (vv. 3-4), to the Ptolemies and Seleucids (vv. 5-20), and into the terrible reign of Antiochus Epiphanes (vv. 21-35).

Scholars debate who is being described at the end of the chapter, whether it's Antiochus Epiphanes or Antichrist—or both. But it seems most likely that at least some of these events have yet to be fulfilled, especially in light of Chapter 12, which describes the resurrection of the dead to their eternal destinations (12:2). What can't be questioned is the precise accuracy of Daniel's message, so we know that we can trust the end-times predictions in this book with complete confidence.

Many scholars have used this passage, along with the details of Revelation, to map out thorough timelines of the Tribulation, and for a devotional study like this, the specifics of this eschatology can overshadow the impact of the point of verse 45. In the end, the bad guy is defeated. No one who glorifies himself over God can expect anything but ultimate defeat at the hands of the Lord, and no wicked leader will escape the righteous judgment of God.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Once again we invite you to expand your study of this complex and often controversial topic beyond the pages of Today in the Word. Many believers dismiss this topic as “above their heads,” but God delivered the message through Daniel and other prophets for a reason.

Even if we never fully grasp all the details in these passages, we can still understand that these truths should motivate us to live lives that please God.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Daniel 11:36-12:13
Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens. - Daniel 12:3
TODAY IN THE WORD
Corporal Kevin Clarke wanted to do one last thing before his Marine platoon embarked on a mission while deployed in Iraq. He asked a fellow Marine to print out the testimony he had recently typed. Corporal Clarke was killed on that mission, and his personal statement of faith was his parting message to his friends, his family, and the world. The testimony was circulated among the Marines, sent to his parents, and even printed at his funeral, preserving the story of his faith and promoting the glory of his God.

A life lived in honor and obedience to God leaves an indelible mark on the world and inscribes a message that can never be erased. The angel speaking to Daniel referred to the destiny for the resurrected in the final days, and he calls special attention to people who lead by example, imparting wisdom and directing others to righteousness (v. 3). Their destiny is everlasting life, and their reward is eternal glory. And when the angel tells Daniel to close up and seal the words of the scroll, it isn't a command to hide the truth. It is a call to preserve the message and officially acknowledge its truth as God's Word.

Daniel then saw an exchange from two beings on opposite sides of the river that forecasts more details of the last half of the Tribulation. The expression “time, times, and half a time” is interpreted as a year, two years, and half a year—three and a half years. Maybe the most important concept for us to grasp is in verse 8, when Daniel himself admits that he doesn't understand. Only with God's revelation and illumination can we ever hope to comprehend these prophecies—with that humility, there is hope for understanding (v. 10).

The prediction Daniel could cling to is found in the final words of this book. God promised that Daniel would rise from death to receive his inheritance, and for an Israelite displaced from his homeland and serving foreign kings, the hope of his eternal residence with his glorious Lord was the perfect way to end an amazing life of faith.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
You can cling to that same promise offered to Daniel, if you have faith in Christ. With an eye toward eternal reward, never lose sight of the guiding principles of verse 3. Lead a life filled with wisdom and help lead others to righteousness. Studying God's Word is an excellent start. Follow it up with praise and prayer for God, then imitate Daniel's example of faithfulness wherever God has placed you. Daniel didn't possess anything you lack—trust God to use you in the same way!

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Genesis 3:1-7
For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. - Psalm 33:4
TODAY IN THE WORD
At this point in our examination this year of a Life of Purpose, we looked at several books and characters in Scripture. This month, we are turning our attention to some questions that we find in the Bible. Not every question reveals a lack of faith—some are honest expressions of concern, righteous indignation, or perhaps frustration. But some questioning can be destructive, as we'll see today. Throughout the month, we will learn how we can ask God questions in faith, and we'll see how His answers provide us with purpose.

The first question recorded in Scripture was uttered by Satan as part of his strategy of deceit in the Garden of Eden, and this question has been repeated by skeptics down through the ages. According to Genesis 3:1, Satan spoke to Eve through the serpent and asked, “Did God really say, ”˜You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?” This question was misleading and its tone incredulous. It ascribed to God an unreasonable demand. God had, in fact, not told Adam and Eve that they could not eat from any of the trees in the garden. The opposite was true. He had freely given the entire garden to Adam and Eve as a source of food and had withheld only the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil (Gen. 2:16-17).

Satan's question was designed to raise doubts about an essential part of God's character—His goodness. It suggested that the prohibition against eating from the Tree of Knowledge was unreasonable and that God was withholding something good from Eve. Satan's goal was to weaken Eve's confidence in God's Word. This is still his aim. He continues to challenge those who follow Christ by questioning the authenticity and reasonableness of God's Word. Ultimately, Satan would have us doubt God's good purpose for our lives.

Compare this with the psalmist's conviction in Psalm 33:4, our verse for today. “Right” describes the moral quality of God's Word, while “true” speaks of its reliability. Anything that God has said is righteous and entirely dependable.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
As we begin this study of questions and answers in the Bible, make a list of some of the hard questions for which you would like to find answers. They may not be addressed in passages we study this month, but perhaps you can ask your pastor or a mature believer for help in finding the answers. Ask for a list of Scripture passages and study resources that you can consult. One helpful resource is the book Hard Sayings of the Bible, published by InterVarsity Press and available through your local Christian bookstore.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Genesis 15:1-6
Consider Abraham: “He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” - Galatians 3:6
TODAY IN THE WORD
Faith and questioning can coexist peacefully, as long as we allow God to have the last word. The Old Testament patriarch Abraham learned this from personal experience. When a coalition of rulers attacked Sodom and captured Lot, Abraham took a small band of armed men and rode to his nephew's rescue. Although he was outnumbered, Abraham successfully freed Lot and recovered the rest of the goods and captives that had been plundered by the enemy (see Gen. 14).

Following this victory, the king of Sodom told Abraham to keep the goods for himself. The patriarch refused, saying that he had sworn an oath not to accept anything from the battle. Abraham did not want anyone other than God to get credit for his prosperity. The Lord responded to Abraham's gesture by promising to be his “very great reward” (v. 1). This promise seems apt in view of Abraham's refusal to accept a reward from the king of Sodom.

You might think such a promise would have pleased Abraham. Instead, he was provoked by it, disturbed by the fact that he and his wife had been unable to have children. Without a child of his own, all he possessed would go to a servant in his household. This prompted Abraham to ask the difficult question of Genesis 15:2: “What can you give me since I remain childless?”

This question captures the pain of all those who feel that their most cherished dream has not come true. His anguish was intensified because the dream of having offspring had been sanctioned by God. The Lord had promised to provide him with an inheritance that Abraham could pass down to his children (Gen. 12:7). Outwardly, it appeared as though God had failed to keep His word.

Instead of being angry with Abraham for asking such question, the Lord graciously reaffirmed His earlier promise. Abraham, in return, believed. This was a pivotal moment in his life, because it was at this point the Lord declared him to be righteous by faith (Gen. 15:6).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Faith will not make all our dreams come true, but it will provide an anchor for the soul (Heb. 6:19). According to the New Testament, Abraham's example of faith serves as pattern for us. He lived a life of purpose guided by God's promises. All those who rely on Christ's promise of salvation are following in the steps of “faithful Abraham” (Gal. 3:9 kjv). You can learn more about Abraham's life of faith by reading the New Testament passages that refer to him (Rom. 4:1-25; Gal. 3:1-9; Heb. 11:8-19; James 2:21-23).

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Genesis 18:16-33
I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. - Exodus 33:19
TODAY IN THE WORD
According to a survey two years ago, although a surprising number of Americans believe that hell exists, few expect to reside there after death. An update published on the Barna organization's Web site reports that 71 percent of Americans believe in hell, yet two-thirds do not expect to go there. Most Americans are convinced that they will go to heaven.

Modern discomfort with the biblical teaching about final judgment and eternal punishment is also reflected in the growing number of evangelicals who question whether God will condemn those who have not yet heard the gospel. This has led some to adopt the view known as inclusivism—the belief that God will give those who have not heard the gospel an opportunity to trust in Jesus, if they respond in faith to the revelation of God that has been given them. This teaching is not consistent with the Bible's assertion that only those who hear and respond to the gospel of Jesus Christ will be saved.

The question at the heart of this debate was echoed by Abraham in today's reading. When he was warned in Genesis 18:23 that God was about to destroy the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham asked, “Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked?” He followed up his initial question with another that revealed his own view on the matter. In verse 25 he declared: “Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?” Abraham was so confident about God's grace that he pressed Him until the Lord agreed to spare the city of Sodom, if ten righteous people could be found there (v. 32).

Sodom was destroyed, for ten righteous people could not be found in the city. Yet Lot and his family were spared. Lot, like Abraham, had put his trust in the God who makes us righteous by grace and through faith (cf. 2 Peter 2:7-8). The events of today's passage underscore two vital and complementary truths of Scripture. First, God will judge sin. Second, He has graciously provided a way of escape.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
At the final judgment God will not sweep away the righteous with the wicked. The Bible teaches that none are truly righteous. All have sinned and fall short of God's standard (Rom. 3:23). This means that the only hope for escaping final judgment is the way out provided by Christ's death. If you have never placed your faith in Christ's sacrifice for your sin, accept God's offer of forgiveness today. If you have, follow Abraham's example of intercession. Think of someone for whom you can pray and ask God to show that person mercy through Christ.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Genesis 50:15-21
In all things God works for the good of those who love him. - Romans 8:28
TODAY IN THE WORD
Corrie ten Boom's conviction that God casts our sins into the ocean of forgetfulness was severely tested when she was confronted by a former guard at the Ravensbruck death camp where she was once a prisoner. She saw the man making his way through the crowd that had come to hear her speak and immediately recognized him. “You mentioned Ravensbruck in your talk,” he said. “I was a guard there. I have become a Christian. I know that God has forgiven me for the cruel things I did there, but I would like to hear it from your lips as well.”

Corrie hesitated as he held out his hand and waited for her to grasp it, remembering the humiliation she and her sister had suffered while imprisoned there. Her sister had died at Ravesnbruck, and now her former enemy was asking for her forgiveness. In her book Tramp for the Lord, ten Boom writes that she had no other choice but to forgive.Years earlier she had been liberated from physical captivity. Now, as she grasped his outstretched hand, she experienced a different kind of liberation. The Lord gave her the freedom to forgive.

Joseph shared a similar experience in today's passage. Even though he had suffered cruelly at the hands of his brothers, Joseph refused to take revenge upon them. Years of slavery might have left him embittered. Instead, he was willing to forgive them for their actions. Joseph's secret is revealed in the question of verse 19: “Am I in the place of God?”

Joseph did not ignore the evil his brothers had done, nor did he sugarcoat it. According to verse 20 he noted, “You intended to harm me.” Joseph was able to see God's unseen hand working behind the scenes to accomplish His own good purpose through the wicked actions of his brothers. He left it to God to settle his accounts.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
We often cannot see how God might be using our misfortunes to accomplish His good purpose. Nevertheless, those who know Jesus Christ as Savior have His promise that, in every circumstance, He is working for our good.

On this Independence Day, do you need to experience the freedom to forgive? Ask for the liberty to let God settle your accounts. Trust Him to judge righteously and to work out His good purpose in your life.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Exodus 3:1-12
By the grace of God I am what I am. - 1 Corinthians 15:10
TODAY IN THE WORD
Oswald Chambers observed, “Confidence in the natural world is self-reliance, in the spiritual world it is God-reliance.” Between the two, God-reliance is the strongest. A self-confident person may be able to do all that he believes he is capable of doing. One whose confidence is in God can do the unexpected.

Moses struggled with a lack of confidence when the Lord commissioned him to rescue the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. Having failed forty years earlier when he tried to help his own people, Moses asked the obvious question in Exodus 3:11: “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” This was the first of several objections, each focusing on a fear or weakness that posed an obstacle to his mission. Despite his remarkable background, Moses had no confidence in his own ability to do the thing that God had called him to do.

The five objections of Moses are echoed by many believers today. We are afraid that others will not believe us when we share the gospel, or we fear that we will be inarticulate. We may be afraid that our past will cause others to question the validity of what we have to say. Or we may simply feel that we are inadequate for such a task. We find it hard to believe that God could use us.

The solution to such fears is the same one that the Lord offered to Moses. Like him, we too can rely upon the promise of God's presence. The Lord assured Moses, “I will be with you” (Ex. 3:12). In the same way, Jesus promised us that He would be with us “to the very end of the age” (Matt. 28:20). God will use our natural abilities, but is not limited to them. Our real strength lies in the power of the Holy Spirit. His presence and power enable us to say as the apostle Paul did in today's verse, “by the grace of God I am what I am” (1 Cor. 15:10).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The story of Moses is a valuable reminder that we are not always the best judges of what God can do through us. Make a list of the things God has enabled you to do that you once thought you could never do. Perhaps He has helped you to share your faith with someone or change a long-standing habit. As you look over your list, can you think of other areas in your life where you would like to see God demonstrate His power? Choose one and ask God to manifest the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in that area.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Exodus 5:1-4
Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? - Psalm 2:1
TODAY IN THE WORD
Every November 5 the people of Britain observe an unusual celebration. They make an effigy, called a “guy,” and set it on fire as they celebrate with fireworks. This strange custom commemorates the foiled attempt on the life of King James I in 1605, when Guy Fawkes tried to blow up the English Parliament with thirty-six barrels of gunpowder. The assassination plot was thwarted and the conspiracy that surrounded it uncovered when one of the conspirators wrote a letter to a friend warning him not to attend Parliament that day.

In Psalm 2 the psalmist writes of a larger conspiracy against a greater sovereign using language that echoes the rebellion of Pharaoh, described in today's Scripture passage. Like those in the psalm, Pharaoh took a stand against Israel's God. His spirit of rebellion was epitomized by the question of Exodus 5:2: “Who is the Lord, that I should obey him and let Israel go?”

This same question is repeated by all who refuse to acknowledge the authority of God's Word. According to Psalm 2:4, the Lord is not impressed with such bravado, nor does He tolerate it for long. Pharaoh learned from tragic experience that the Lord has ultimate authority over all mankind, even those who do not recognize His sovereignty. The fact that Pharaoh did not acknowledge the authority of God did not mean that he was free from the obligation of obedience. As creator, the God of Moses was Lord of the nations long before He was the Lord of Israel. His word is binding upon all mankind.

This truth is the foundation of all missionary effort. The church seeks to reach every tribe, tongue, and nation with the message of salvation because God's Word “commands all people everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30). The church's urgency in carrying this command to the nations is fueled by the knowledge that God has also “set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed” (Acts 17:31). Obedience to the truth is not optional, and God has consistently demonstrated that He will punish rebellion.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Spend some time today praying for the rulers of those nations that have not yet acknowledged the authority of Christ. A good resource for guiding your prayer is the book Operation World compiled by Patrick Johnstone and published by Gabriel Resources. This valuable tool will give you insight into the political and spiritual climate of the world's nations and can be a strategic guide when praying for unreached peoples. You may also visit the Operation World Web site at www.gmi.org/ow/ for a list of countries that need your prayer today.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Exodus 5:5-23
Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh. - Exodus 6:1
TODAY IN THE WORD
Yesterday we saw how Pharaoh questioned God's authority. But God's enemies are not the only ones who question Him. Sometimes His friends have questions as well. That is especially true when God's purpose seems to be hidden from us. It is easy to feel cheated when troubles come as a result of faithfulness to God's call. At such times we are tempted to echo the sentiment of the old saint who complained to God saying, “If this is the way you treat your friends, no wonder you have so few of them!”

Moses questioned God's purpose for his life when his efforts to liberate the Israelites seemed to backfire. Moses asked Pharaoh for permission to take the children of Israel into the wilderness to sacrifice to the Lord, but the Egyptian ruler refused and accused him of turning the Israelites into slackers (v. 4).

By way of punishment Pharaoh refused to provide the workmen with straw, a necessary ingredient used for reinforcement when making bricks (v. 7). This meant that in order to make their required quota, they first had to search for a substitute by rooting around in the stubble. This extra effort caused them to miss their quota, setting off a chain reaction. The Hebrew foremen were beaten and appealed to Pharaoh. He, in turn, accused them of being lazy, citing Moses' request that they be allowed to go into the desert to sacrifice as evidence (v. 17). This sparked sharp criticism of Moses' leadership. Disheartened, Moses questioned God's plan and asked, “O Lord, why have you brought trouble upon this people? Is this why you sent me?” (v. 22) He misread his circumstances because he was unable to see the big picture.

Scottish minister Robert Murray M'Cheyne observed, “Every wise workman takes his tools away from the work from time to time that they may be ground and sharpened, so does the only-wise Jehovah take his ministers often times away into darkness and loneliness and trouble, that he may sharpen and prepare them for hard work in his service.” God's plan for Moses and the people of Israel was greater than their immediate circumstances.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Does it seem as if your obedience to God's call has backfired? Have you been misunderstood or criticized as a result of your faithfulness?

If so, you are in good company. Moses was not the only one to face such trials. King David, the Old Testament prophets, the apostle Paul, and even Jesus Himself, all found the path of obedience to be strewn with thorns. Like them, you too will find that your suffering, though difficult to bear and hard to understand, is not wasted in God's eyes.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Joshua 5:13-6:16
If God is for us, who can be against us? - Romans 8:31
TODAY IN THE WORD
In his inaugural address, John F. Kennedy declared, “With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God's work must truly be our own.”

Such thinking has been echoed by many rulers down through the ages. Nations often assume that God's interests and theirs are the same, especially when they face a time of crisis. One of the great ironies of war is that, when enemies meet on the field of battle, each is often buoyed by the same conviction that God is on their side. Today's passage paints a very different picture.

As Joshua approached the city of Jericho, he found his way barred by a mysterious man with a drawn sword in his hand (v. 13). The Hebrew text seems to suggest that the warrior's appearance was both sudden and striking. Startled by this imposing figure, Joshua asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?” This must have seemed like a reasonable question given the circumstances. The walled city of Jericho was Israel's first military objective in its campaign to take possession of Canaan. God's people had suffered a forty-year delay when fear of Canaanite superiority initially kept them from entering the Land of Promise soon after the Exodus (see Num. 13-14). A defeat at this stage in the journey would have been disastrous, discouraging Israel from proceeding further ahead.

The mysterious stranger's title, “commander of the army of the Lord,” along with the fact that Joshua fell face down in reverence, suggests that this surprise visitor was more than a mere man (v. 14). In language reminiscent of the call of Moses, he commanded Joshua to remove his sandals and revealed an unusual battle plan for the defeat of Jericho. Many Bible scholars believe that this was a physical appearance of God prior to the incarnation of Jesus Christ. Although the commander of the Lord's army promised to grant Joshua's army victory over Jericho, He did not claim to be on Israel's side. He revealed His good purpose for Israel, rooted in God's promises to Abraham long before.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
In this age when political parties often present their platforms as if they were divinely inspired, it is important to remember that God's interests are broader than anyone's national interests.

We should not ask whether God is on our side, but whether we are on God's side. Although we may not be able to say that God is “on our side,” we who know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior can cay that God is “for us” (Rom. 8:31).

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Job 2:1-10
Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him. - Job 13:15
TODAY IN THE WORD
One of the most beloved characters in A. A. Milne's series of children's books is Eeyore, the old grey donkey. Eeyore's color is well-suited to his mood. According to Milne, he often stands by himself in a thistly corner of the forest thinking gloomy thoughts. Although some might call Eeyore a pessimist, he would probably characterize himself as a realist.

Job's wife was also saw herself as a “realist.” When she saw her husband's faith in the midst of indescribable suffering, she ridiculed him saying, “Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!” (v. 9). The Hebrew word that is translated “holding on” in this verse has the idea of “grasping” or “taking hold” of something. The main figure in a drama that was being scripted in the heavenlies, Job clung to his faith in God's justice and goodness the way a drowning man clings to a life preserver. One can only imagine what a blow his wife's question must have been under such trying circumstances.

Her cynicism is understandable, to some degree. Unlike the reader of Job's story, she had no idea that her husband had become the primary object lesson in a dialogue between God and Satan about the nature of faith. From a purely human perspective, Job's determination to hold on to his integrity was as inexplicable as the suffering the two of them were experiencing. It is also possible that Job's wife spoke rashly, without considering the destructive potential of her words. If he had taken her cynical advice, Job was not the only one who would have been harmed. Countless generations of believers after him would have missed out on the comfort his example has provided to those who are suffering.

In this regard, Job's wife was more than another Eeyore. In a very real sense, she was an ally of Satan. Her discouragement was designed to prompt Job to do the very thing that Satan had claimed he would do when faced with affliction. The ancient church leader and preacher John Chrysostom called her “the devil's best scourge.” Her example is a solemn reminder that we become Satan's unwitting allies whenever we use our words to discourage others.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
God has a purpose for our speech. We are to use our words to build up rather than to tear down. Is there someone you know who needs a word of encouragement today? Perhaps it is someone who has experienced a series of setbacks, or maybe those who would benefit from knowing that you've seen their faithfulness to God in some area of life. Write a note of encouragement to someone today and use your words to build up rather than to tear down.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Job 3:1-26
“For I know the plans I have for you . . . plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” - Jeremiah 29:11
TODAY IN THE WORD
William Cowper, the eighteenth-century poet, hymn writer, and close friend of John Newton, struggled with depression much of his life. He lost his mother when he was only six and was prone to worry. Cowper's battle with despair became so great that he tried to commit suicide several times. On more than one occasion John Newton intervened and saved his friend's life. Despite his problems with depression, Cowper was a genuine believer. God used his struggles to encourage other Christians. One of Cowper's most famous hymns declares that God often moves in a mysterious way and urges: “Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, but trust Him for His grace; behind a frowning providence, He hides a smiling face.”

Job also struggled with despair. The Old Testament patriarch became so discouraged with his circumstances that he asked the hard question of Job 3:11, “Why did I not perish at birth, and die as I came from the womb?” Overwhelmed by his troubles, Job began to long for the grave, viewing it as a place of rest (vv. 17-19).

Job did not question God's sovereignty but wondered about God's purpose behind his suffering. Job knew that he was not immune from trouble. When his wife chided him for holding on to his integrity and urged him to curse God, Job accused her of being foolish and asked, “Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” (Job 2:10). Yet the seemingly random nature of his troubles prompted Job to wonder whether there was any real point to all that he was suffering.

Like Job, we too may be tempted to question the wisdom of God when unexpected difficulties enter our lives. In those moments we will want to remember that our Heavenly Father's disposition toward us does not shift with our changing circumstances. Circumstances are usually a poor barometer of the depths of divine love. As William Cowper put it, our circumstances may temporarily obscure God's smile of love, but they cannot remove it.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The poems and hymns of William Cowper offer insight to some of the lessons God can teach the believer through times of discouragement and even depression.

The Web site Fire and Ice (www.puritansermons.com/poetry/cowpindx.htm) includes several of Cowper's writings. Visit the site and read the hymn entitled “Peace After a Storm” to see how Cowper viewed his depression after receiving comfort from God.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Job 9:1-20
As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one.” - Romans 3:10
TODAY IN THE WORD
In his book Traveling Light Max Lucado describes how he tried to get out of cleaning his room when he was a boy. When his mother told him that his room wasn't clean, he would take her to his brother's room. “See,” he would say, “my room is clean; just look at his.” Lucado's argument fell apart when his mother responded by walking Max down the hall to her room.

“When it came to tidy rooms,” Lucado writes, “my mom was righteous. Her closet was just right. Her bed was just right. Her bathroom was just right. Compared to hers, my room was, well, just wrong. She would show me her room and say, ”˜This is what I mean by clean.' God does the same. He points to himself and says, ”˜This is what I mean by righteousness.'”

Job understood this truth but realized the dilemma that it creates. If God is the ultimate standard of righteousness, then no sinful person can ever hope to measure up. We may convince ourselves that we are righteous by comparing ourselves to others. But if God is the standard of goodness, we quickly realize that “No one is good-except God alone” (Mark 10:18).

This recognition prompted Job to ask the question of Job 9:2: “How can a mortal be righteous before God?” The key phrase in Job's question is the phrase “before God.” Job was righteous in the sense that he was a morally upright man. In fact, the Bible says that there was no one on earth like him (Job 1:. Yet as good as Job was, his best effort was not good enough when compared to God's righteousness. If he had been put on trial in the court of heaven and all his good deeds were brought forward as evidence, Job would still fall short of the mark (v. 20).

The Old Testament patriarch Abraham could have answered Job's question. A mortal can be righteous before God only if God pronounces him righteous by faith. Since no one is good except God alone, then only God can make us good. We must receive righteousness as a gift of grace through faith in Christ.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Imagine yourself in the court of heaven. If God were to ask you why He should allow you to enter His presence, what would your answer be? Only those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ and made Him their advocate will be acquitted when they are judged by God. If you have never received Christ as your Savior, do so today. We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, but we can be “justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus” (Rom. 3:24).

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Job 24:1-25
How long, O Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save? - Habakkuk 1:2
TODAY IN THE WORD
An old saying declares that “out of sight” is “out of mind”—people do not concern themselves with what they cannot see. In our case, however, it is the fact that we lose sight of God that sometimes causes us to think that He doesn't have us in mind. Our circumstances don't always immediately reveal God's purpose. This is especially true when these circumstances appear to favor the wicked. The prophet Habakkuk, who uttered the complaint in today's key verse, wrestled with this problem as he watched the ruthless Babylonians literally get away with murder.

The prophet's question was essentially the same as Job's query in today's reading. In essence, they both asked, “God, if you are as good and just as we know you are, why don't you do something?” Job wanted to know when God would finally set the time for judgment. In exasperation, he lists a variety of situations in which the “bad guys” appear to be winning. Job's question was not without ulterior motives. He wondered why such tragedies had befallen him, despite his righteous behavior, when others who blatantly ignored God's righteous standard seemed to go free. The prophet Habakkuk described the social and political climate of his day and wondered why God would tolerate such wrongs. The answer for both men was not a comfortable one.

In Job's case, the answer was silence. God does not respond to Job's questions until the end of the book. Even then, He does not explain Himself. For Habbakuk, God outlined His plan but warned: “Look at the nations and watch—and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told” (Hab. 1:5). Paul quoted this verse while preaching in the synagogue in Pisidian Antioch as a caution against the danger of unbelief (see Acts 13:13-52). Faith recognizes that God is working out His plan according to His own timetable. We know that a day is coming when both the righteous and the unjust will be held accountable for their actions.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Today's passage and key verse remind us of the need to look at our circumstances through the lens of faith. Not only will those who lack faith have trouble seeing God's hand in the midst of their circumstances, they would fail to grasp His plan, even if He told them. We have an advantage that both Job and Habakkuk did not. We possess the completed Scriptures. The Old and New Testament both warn of a coming day of judgment. Learn more about it by looking up the term judgment using a concordance or Bible software.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Job 31:1-8
And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. - Matthew 10:30
TODAY IN THE WORD
A group of children were lined up in the cafeteria of a religious school for lunch. As a reminder of the rules, one of the teachers had written a note and placed it near a large pile of apples. It read: “Take only one, God is watching.” At the other end of the table one of the students wrote a note and put it near a large pile of chocolate chip cookies that had been placed there for dessert. It said: “Take all you want—God is watching the apples.”

We are often on our best behavior when we know that someone is watching us. How much more will this be true if we know that the person who is watching is God? The theological term used to speak of God's knowledge is omniscience. When we say that God is omniscient, we are saying that He is not bound by any of the limitations we experience with knowledge. He knows all that has happened, is now taking place, and is yet to occur. God knows both the possible and the actual. Most important of all, God knows us.

For Job, the thought of divine omniscience was a deterrent from embracing sin. The way he frames the question in Job 31:4 shows that he already knows the answer. God sees his ways and counts his every step. Job's commitment to personal purity grew out of this understanding. The fact that God was aware of his thoughts and his actions prompted Job to guard them both. Job also drew a measure of comfort from the knowledge that God was intimately aware of his circumstances. He appealed to divine omniscience to vindicate him from the accusations of those who claimed his suffering was due to personal sin by calling on God to weigh his actions in “honest scales” (v. 6).

Can we draw comfort from the truth that God sees our ways and counts our every step? Even though we stumble and fall into the snares of sin, we have forgiveness through the saving work of Jesus Christ. Since Christ has died for our sins, there's no need for us to try to hide them.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The blood of Christ is sufficient to cover all sins. We can obtain peace from our troubled conscience by confessing sin and claiming the forgiveness that Jesus Christ has already purchased for us. If you are tempted to cover up your sin, why not come clean before God? Accept the cleansing and forgiveness He offers through Jesus Christ. All who have put their faith in Christ have this promise: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).