Lessons On Living

[nChrist]

Author: Woodrow Kroll
Source: Lessons on Living from Solomon
Scripture: 1 Kings 11:40-41

Your Reactions are Showing

1 Kings 11:40-41

Solomon therefore sought to kill Jeroboam. But Jeroboam arose and fled to Egypt, to Shishak king of Egypt, and was in Egypt until the death of Solomon. Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, all that he did, and his wisdom, are they not written in the book of the acts of Solomon?

Your Reactions Are Showing

In his book The Message in Your Emotions, Wayne McDill reflects, "Emotions cloud our normal thinking processes and often cause us to react in ways we shouldn’t. We say things in anger that hurt the ones we love most. We buy a new car in the excitement of its appeal. We cry and lose our composure, adding embarrassment to insecurity. We laugh when it really isn’t funny because we are uncomfortable." It’s little wonder that a long time ago Plato wrote, "The passionate are like men standing on their heads; they see all things the wrong way."

Solomon was a passionate man who allowed his emotions to cause him to react in the wrong way. When God raised up Jeroboam to chastise Solomon for his sins, instead of repenting, the king attempted to have the young man killed. Solomon allowed his emotions to obscure his wisdom, and the consequences were tragic. At Solomon’s death, Jeroboam returned from exile and seized control of the ten northern tribes. He became a thorn in the side to Rehoboam, who succeeded his father as king in Judah.

When God brings chastisement into our lives, we, like Solomon, often react emotionally rather than wisely. Instead of allowing God’s discipline to bring us to repentance, we seek for ways to avoid the consequences. We run the wrong direction. We become defensive of our behavior. We look for ways to excuse our actions. We grow bitter rather than better. We see everything the wrong way.

Let God’s discipline do its work in your life. Instead of allowing your emotions to rule your reactions, respond with a wisdom that allows you to benefit from this experience. Discover what God wants to do in your life, and let Him do it.

Right reaction is the father of righteous behavior.

_________________________

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[nChrist]

Author: Woodrow Kroll
Source: Lessons on Living from Solomon
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:19-20 Psalms 91:7 2 Chronicles 2:4-5

The Greatest of All

2 Chronicles 2:4–5

Behold, I am building a temple for the name of the Lord my God, to dedicate it to Him, to burn before Him sweet incense, for the continual showbread, for the burnt offerings morning and evening, on the Sabbaths, on the New Moons, and on the set feasts of the Lord our God. This is an ordinance forever to Israel. And the temple which I build will be great, for our God is greater than all gods.

The Greatest of All

In 1934 the Cunard ship-building company was getting ready to name its greatest ocean liner, a vessel more than 1,000 feet long and capable of crossing the Atlantic in just over four days. The consensus of opinion was that it should be named after Queen Elizabeth I. A high official reportedly went to King George V and announced, "We would like to name the ship after England’s greatest queen." "Well," said the king, "I shall have to ask her." Consequently the ship was promptly named after his wife, Queen Mary!

If we’re not specific when we speak, a lot of confusion can result. No such confusion, however, existed in Solomon’s mind when it came to honoring God. He was intent upon building a great temple because "our God is greater than all gods." A multitude of gods existed in the nations around Israel—Baal, Molech and Asherah, for example. These, however, were only demonic spirits (1 Cor. 10:19-20) or statues of stone. Solomon knew there was only One who was truly God.

Too often we forget that our God is greater than all other powers, human or supernatural. We needn’t fear any foe. The psalmist said, "A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you" (Ps. 91:7). God’s hand of protection is upon us until He chooses to call us home, and none can challenge His authority. No god is greater than our God.

Take courage. Rest completely in the God who is above all gods. He is your strength and protection. He will keep you when all others fail. He is the greatest of all.

Since God has no equal, He has no challenger.

_________________________

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[nChrist]

Author: Woodrow Kroll
Source: Lessons on Living from Solomon
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:9 Hebrews 13:5-8 Psalms 32:8 Philippians 4:19 2 Chronicles 6:10

The Promise Maker

2 Chronicles 6:10

"So the Lord has fulfilled His word which He spoke, and I have filled the position of my father David, and sit on the throne of Israel, as the Lord promised; and I have built the temple for the name of the Lord God of Israel."

The Promise Maker

Clarence McCartney, a pastor during the first half of the 20th century, used to tell the story of a man who appeared daily outside the Brooklyn city hall. He had been a man of some influence in the city. In a time of financial difficulty, however, a friend promised to meet him there at noon and loan him a large sum of money. But the friend did not keep his promise. Disappointment broke the man’s heart and skewed his mind. Every day after that, he would come and look wistfully at the clock, waiting for it to strike twelve, looking in vain for the friend who promised he would come but never did.

How different this situation is from the relationship that Solomon experienced with God. Jehovah is the God who "fulfilled His word" to Solomon’s father, David, and to Solomon himself. All that the Lord had promised He performed. He had kept David safe through years of warfare, brought his son Solomon to the throne and then helped Solomon build a magnificent temple to show His glory. Everything that the Lord said to David and Solomon came true just as He had promised.

God has not changed (Heb. 13:8). He is still keeping His promises; they are as dependable as ever. When God speaks through His Word, you can be sure that what He says will come to pass. When He declares, "I will never leave you" (Heb. 13:5), "I will guide you" (Ps. 32:8), "My grace is sufficient for you" (2 Cor. 12:9), and I "shall supply all your need" (Phil. 4:19), He means it. He will never fail us. He will never go back on His word.

Take your stand on God’s promises. You will never be on a more solid footing. Trust Him. If God has said it, He will do it.

The promises God makes He never breaks.

_________________________

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Author: Woodrow Kroll
Source: Lessons on Living from Solomon
Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:14

Prescription for Revival

2 Chronicles 7:14

"If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."

Prescription for Revival

Richard Owen Roberts observed, "There is a sense in which revival is like a prairie fire ignited by a bolt of lightning from the heavens. Without organization, advertising or even sometimes human leadership, revivals have altered the hearts of men, the social attitudes of millions and the destinies of nations." Revival is the heartfelt prayer of many of us, and God’s Word gives the only prescription for revival. We don’t just have to wait passively; we can actively be a part of the process.

When Solomon concluded the dedication of the temple, the Lord appeared to him. The king knew that his people would be pulled away from the Lord at various times, and he wanted some assurance that God would not give up on them. In answer to his prayers, God assured Solomon that even in times when He would bring hard judgment on Israel because of her sin, revival would still be possible, but it must begin with God’s people. Furthermore, His people must meet certain requirements. Only then would God forgive and restore.

The same is true today. Instead of the nation of Israel, however, it is now the church that needs revived. Yet the standards are still the same. First we need a spirit of humility. Pride will block any attempt at revival. Then we must commit to praying and seeking God’s face. Our priorities must change to put an emphasis on communicating with God in both confession and fellowship. But the prescription is not complete until we turn from our sins. When we’re willing to change our behavior as well as our attitude, God promises to cleanse and renew us.

If you know Christ as your Savior, apply the steps from this verse to your life. Humbly seek the Lord in prayer; put away your sins and experience a new beginning with God. You don’t have to wait for a national revival to experience personal revival.

Revival has to begin with someone; let it be you.

_________________________

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Author: Woodrow Kroll
Source: Lessons on Living from Solomon
Scripture: Proverbs 2:3-5

Searching God

Proverbs 2:3–5

Yes, if you cry out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding, if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.

Searching God

One of the better-known treasure hunts of modern times is the quest to find the rumored wealth known as the "Beale treasure." The hunt began when an eccentric man who left the East for the gold and silver mines of the West returned home, supposedly hid a vast amount of wealth and then disappeared forever. All he left behind were several messages written in a mysterious code. When deciphered, one of those messages told of the treasure and its approximate location. The other documents, which no one has been able to interpret, supposedly pinpoint the site. Since the Beale documents first came to light, thousands of man-hours and hundreds of thousands of dollars have been spent attempting to break the codes and find the legendary treasure.

Solomon noted, however, that if we put the same amount of time and effort into a relationship with God as we do into searching for earthly treasure, we will find a fortune that is far greater. The reward for our efforts will not be silver or gold but an intimacy with God that is far more meaningful. Speaking as one of the richest men who ever lived, Solomon knew that living in the presence of an awesome God is the greatest treasure that can be found.

There is nothing wrong with material treasures. Abraham, Job, David and Solomon were all blessed with great wealth. But the focus of their lives was not on gaining possessions; it was on knowing God. Today, Christians face the same challenge. In a materialistic world that urges us to gather and hoard an abundance of things, what we really need is a closer relationship with God. That’s the real treasure.

Make sure that you aren’t cheated by earthly treasure. Put as much effort into drawing closer to God as you do in collecting possessions. Let your life be filled with His awesomeness, and you’ll never want for wealth.

Seeking God always yields treasure.

_________________________

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[nChrist]

Author: Woodrow Kroll
Source: Lessons on Living from Solomon
Scripture: John 11:43-44 Matthew 8:3 Psalms 139:4-6 Mark 4:39 Mark 1:30-34 Psalms 2:1-9 Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord

Proverbs 3:5–6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

Trust in the Lord

Everyone should know that human wisdom is very fallible. In spite of that, a woman in Haifa, Israel, is suing a television weatherman in small claims court for $1,000 after he predicted sunshine for a day that turned out to be stormy. The woman claims the forecast caused her to leave home lightly dressed. As a result, she caught the flu, missed four days’ work, spent $38 on medication and suffered stress. Whether the legal system agrees with her or not, however, it’s obvious that she reaped the consequences of trusting in human wisdom.

Solomon believed that no one should rely upon his own understanding. Instead, he declared, place your trust in God and seek His wisdom in every aspect of life. The promise God gave through this wise king is that, in return, He will direct your steps into the right path. God never makes a wrong prediction.

Most things, including the weather, are understood very imperfectly even by people who have spent many years studying them. At best, we can only make educated guesses. If those guesses prove true, it’s still usually beyond our control to change our circumstances. The Lord, on the other hand, possesses all knowledge (Ps. 139:4-6). Furthermore, He is in control of all things—not only the weather (Mark 4:39), but illnesses (Matt. 8:3; Mark 1:30-34) and death itself (John 11:43-44). Every nation of the earth is at His mercy (Ps. 2:1-9). What He declares will come to pass. You can count on it.

In the Bible you’ll find the wisdom of God. Trust Him to guide you when you read His Word. Be confident that He will direct your paths as you apply the Scriptures to your life. Take every opportunity, every difficulty, every issue that comes up in your life and let God show you His way through His Word.

When you read God’s Word you read God’s mind.

_________________________

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Author: Woodrow Kroll
Source: Lessons on Living from Solomon
Scripture: Revelation 22:3-5 1 John 5:12 Proverbs 8:35-36

Finding Life

Proverbs 8:35–36

"For whoever finds me finds life, and obtains favor from the Lord; but he who sins against me wrongs his own soul; all those who hate me love death."

Finding Life

Many people, especially in the field of astronomy, are eagerly seeking signs of life in outer space. A couple of years ago, NASA scientists shook the world by announcing that they had found evidence—embedded in a meteor that had fallen to earth—that primitive life once existed on the planet Mars. After all the hoopla died down, these findings were called into question. Others who have studied the data sent back by the Galileo space probe are suggesting the possibility of life on one of Jupiter’s moons. However flimsy the straw, scientists seem ready to grasp it as long as it points to the possibility of life on other planets.

While the possibility of finding life in outer space is intriguing, we don’t need to look there to find life. Real life is found in the Lord Jesus Christ, who came to earth so we could know Him. God promises that anyone who comes to know Jesus in a saving way finds real life—a life of quality as well as quantity, a life that will experience the joy of being in His presence forever (Rev. 22:3–5).

Many people today are looking for life. If they aren’t looking for it on other planets, they are searching for something special on this planet. They seek it in their pleasures and search for it in unfulfilling relationships. Quietly, but desperately, they hunt for something that will make their life worthwhile. Yet all the time God stands ready to provide the very thing they’re lacking—a life that has meaning for today as well as eternity. All they have to do is receive Christ as their Savior.

If you are looking for life, look to the Lord. The apostle John wrote, "He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life" (1 John 5:12). You don’t have to be a scientist to find life. You just have to know where to look.

Life is found through a relationship with Christ, not a telescope.

_________________________

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[nChrist]

Author: Woodrow Kroll
Source: Lessons on Living from Job
Scripture: Job 1:1

Address Unknown

Job 1:1

There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil.

Address Unknown

Someone once suggested that when many Christians flee from evil, they leave a forwarding address. They may not want to be immersed in sin, but they do want to stay in touch.

Job, on the other hand, was blameless and upright. How could he maintain such a spotless reputation? Because he did more than fear God; he also shunned evil. The word translated "shunned" can mean "to rebel" or "to revolt." You could say that Job found sin revolting. It was certainly not because he couldn’t afford all the pleasures that lead to sin; Job was one of the wealthiest men of his time (Job 1:3). Nor did he live in some backwater village. The land of Uz was highly populated and had several kings or "sheiks" (Jer. 25:20). But Job had an attitude toward sin that left it no chance to get a toehold in his life. This man didn’t simply avoid sin; he ran from it. And he gave no opportunity for it to contact him later.

It’s not enough for Christians to avoid the sins they find attractive but stay in the vicinity where they can be found. Under those circumstances, you can be sure that you and your sin ultimately will get back together again. The only wise solution for those who want to live blameless and upright lives is to separate themselves far enough from enticing sin that no contact can take place.

If you’ve put a sin behind you, put everything associated with that sin behind you as well. If it’s pornography, don’t simply store your magazines out in the garage. Destroy them. If it’s alcohol, don’t leave a bottle in the house. Pour it down the drain. If it’s gossip, cut your "grapevine." Don’t attend those functions that degenerate into gossip sessions. You can do more than just refuse to participate; you can put some space between you and your temptation.

Flee sin and burn the bridges behind you.

_________________________

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[nChrist]

Author: Woodrow Kroll
Source: Lessons on Living from Job
Scripture: Job 1:5

A Family Man

Job 1:5

So it was, when the days of feasting had run their course, that Job would send and sanctify them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, "It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts." Thus Job did regularly.

A Family Man

In her book Formations, Kay Shurden observes that a family is more than a collection of human beings related by blood. It is more than the sum of its parts. A family is a living, shaping, powerful unit that teaches us our most important lessons. It teaches us who we are, how to act, whom we relate to and what is important in life.

Job was a busy man. He was a man of great wealth and responsibility. But his first priority, after his personal relationship with God, was his family. He rose "early in the morning" and brought his children before the Lord. He demonstrated his love for his family not only by providing for their physical well-being but also by interceding for them at God’s throne of grace. Job modeled for his family the importance of a spiritual life and how to maintain that relationship with the Lord. And he did it on a regular basis.

Our lives are filled with stress and strain. The pressure to provide for the physical needs of our family is great. Yet to fulfill our complete responsibility to our loved ones, it is absolutely essential that we model an outstanding spiritual life as well. Without a role model to point the way, our children are at risk to falter in their personal walk with the Lord.

Are you providing more than a roof over your family’s head and clothes on their back? These are vital, of course, but if you take your family responsibilities seriously, your spiritual responsibilities also will be important to you. Daily pray for each member of your family. Pay specific attention to their spiritual needs. Be a spiritual giant in their life. Provide for their spirit as diligently as you provide for their body.

Filling the soul is no less important than filling the stomach.

_________________________

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[nChrist]

Author: Woodrow Kroll
Source: Lessons on Living from Job
Scripture: Deuteronomy 33:27 Psalms 139:5 1 Chronicles 1:9-10

God's Hedge

Job 1:9–10

So Satan answered the Lord and said, "Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land."

God’s Hedge

Some years ago a group of educators decided to remove the chain-link fence from around their school’s playground. They believed the fence promoted feelings of confinement and restraint. But then a curious thing happened. They noticed that as soon as the fence was removed, the children huddled in the center of the playground to play. Unknown to the "experts," the children had actually gained a sense of security from the presence of the fence.

It was this same kind of security that Satan recognized in the life of Job. Figuratively speaking, God had placed a hedge or fence around Job and all he possessed to protect him from evil. Job was hemmed in on all sides by this hedge, but it was not a matter of constraint; it was a matter of security. He could live confidently, knowing that nothing could reach him without first going through God’s hedge of protection.

Every believer today can have that same assurance. The Bible provides a first line of defense. The commandments and exhortations that some people view as divine restrictions are really God’s protection plans. Their purpose is to prevent us from engaging in behavior that will hurt us. In addition, even the omnipotent hands of God are encircling our lives. No disaster or calamity can touch us without the permissive will of our Heavenly Father. Only those things that God knows ultimately will prove to be for our good are allowed to penetrate this divine hedge.

So, do not chafe against the restrictions God puts into your life. They are hedges for your security. Rejoice that God has His arms underneath you (Deut. 33:27) and His hands behind, before and over you (Ps. 139:5). You are totally encompassed by His hedge of protection. Inside God’s hedge you are safe!

God’s hedges are built for protection, not imprisonment.

_________________________

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Author: Woodrow Kroll
Source: Lessons on Living from Job
Scripture: 1 Peter 5:8 Job 1:11-12

Lion on a Leash

Job 1:11–12

"But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!" So the Lord said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person." So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.

Lion on a Leash

Many cities and even small towns have leash laws. You can’t simply let your pets run loose; they must be kept on a leash. The logic is obvious. With no constraints, dogs and cats not only do unsightly things on people’s yards, but they damage shrubs and flowers, dig holes in unwanted places or make a nuisance of themselves in other ways.

God also has a leash law, and the primary target of that law is Satan. The Devil is a powerful enemy and can cause you a great deal of damage. The apostle Peter compared him to a lion (1 Pet. 5:8). Yet the life of Job demonstrates that the Devil can only go as far as God’s leash allows him. With God’s permission, Satan could afflict God’s servant only to a certain extent and no further. Even though tragic events took place, God’s hand was always on the leash preventing Satan from destroying Job.

Sometimes when we look at our difficult situations, we become fearful. Our imagination provides fertile soil for us to grow all kinds of potential problems and disasters. We fear the worst and are sure that we will be overwhelmed. Yet God never removes His hand from our enemy’s leash. While we may experience difficult people and hard times, Satan cannot attack us beyond the limit that God allows.

Trust your Heavenly Father’s wisdom. Nobody knows better than He does how far to play out the leash. While Satan may appear as a fearsome lion, he can do no more in your life than what God allows him. On that you can rely.

You can’t trust the lion, but you can trust God’s leash.

_________________________

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[nChrist]

Author: Woodrow Kroll
Source: Lessons on Living from Job
Scripture: Job 1:14-19 Job 2:7-9 Job 1:20

Rubble Reaction

Job 1:20

Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and worshiped.

Rubble Reaction

A Sunday school teacher was giving an object lesson on reactions. She placed a glass on a small table and carefully filled it to the brim with water. Then she gave the table a slight shake and some of the water sloshed out. "Oh, my," she said, "I spilled some grape juice." A hand shot up. "But that’s water," said a little boy. "That’s right," she replied. "That’s like our reactions. We might want to react a certain way to the things that shake our lives, but only what we’ve put in can come out."

Job’s life was severely shaken. He first lost his wealth and his servants (Job 1:14–17). If that were not enough, he then lost his children (vv. 18–19). He later lost his health (2:7–8) and, finally, even his wife seemed to turn against him (v. 9). This series of blows caused two reactions to spill out of him. One was grief. He tore his robe and shaved his head. But the other was total submission to God. He fell to the ground and worshiped. It was obvious that what filled him most was love for and trust in the God of heaven.

Life is full of events that shake us. What spills out of us depends on what we’ve put in us. If you’ve been prone to harbor grudges and bitterness, you can guess what will gush out—anger and hatred. If you’ve sought to be filled with the Holy Spirit and the things of God, that also will be obvious by your reactions. No matter how you might wish otherwise, only those things that are in you can spill out.

If your life were reduced to a rubble heap and all that you hold dear were gone, how would you respond? Seek now to fill yourself with God’s peace and love so you won’t be ashamed at what comes spilling out of your life in hard times.

What we put in our lives will surely one day come out.

_________________________

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[nChrist]

Author: Woodrow Kroll
Source: Lessons on Living from Job
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:10 Job 1:21

You Can't Take It with You

Job 1:21

And he said: "Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord."

You Can’t Take It with You

A few years ago, advice columnist Ann Landers printed a supposedly true story of a tightfisted husband who was married to a gracious woman. The wife put up with his tightwad behavior for more than 40 years. At age 60, "Ollie" was stricken with cancer. Toward the end, he made his wife promise, in front of witnesses, that she would place in his coffin all the money he had stashed away so he could buy his way into heaven. She agreed and assured him, as a woman of her word, she would do as he asked. The morning after his death she took the money (about $26,000) and deposited it in the bank. She then wrote a check and put it in the casket four days later. She knew he couldn’t take it with him.

Job, however, never entertained the foolish ideas of the tightfisted husband. He realized that he would leave this world as naked as he entered. He was wise enough to know that he would take nothing away from this world but himself.

What we make of ourselves in terms of character rather than possessions should be our concern as Christians. A godly nature steeped in an understanding of God’s Word and God’s ways is far more valuable than earthly wealth or honors. When we stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ, what we are will be of greater importance than what we had (2 Cor. 5:10).

Begin now to cultivate those things that will not be left behind when your body is placed in the ground. Set aside some time each day to spend in the Bible and prayer. Develop an attitude of compassion and generosity. Allow God’s Spirit to create in you a clean heart and a steadfast spirit. These are riches you can take with you.

You have to leave the world naked, but not destitute.

_________________________

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[nChrist]

Author: Woodrow Kroll
Source: Lessons on Living from Job
Scripture: Job 2:9

Don't Give Up and Don't Give In

Job 2:9

Then his wife said to him, "Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!"

Don’t Give Up and Don’t Give In

Some of Andrew Jackson’s boyhood friends just couldn’t understand how he became a famous general and then the president of the United States. They knew of other men who had greater talent but who never made it as far as Andrew did. One of Jackson’s friends said, "Why, Jim Brown, who lived right down the road from Jackson, was not only smarter but he could throw Andy three times out of four in a wrestling match." Another friend responded, "How did there happen to be a fourth time? Didn’t they usually say three times and out?" "Sure, they were supposed to," the man replied, "but not Andy. He would never admit he was beat. Jim finally would get tired, and on the fourth try, Andy would throw him and be the winner. He just wouldn’t quit."

No one could argue that Job’s life wasn’t filled with severe trials. He not only suffered the physical affliction of painful boils from head to foot but also lost his wealth and children. Then, to add insult to injury, his wife urged him to give up. In her estimation, life wasn’t worth living. It was time to curse God and die. Though Job didn’t understand why he was being afflicted, however, he did know he wasn’t willing to quit.

People are always ready to encourage you to give up. "Life is too difficult," they say. "Life is not fair. It hurts too much." But such advice fails to take into account the omnipotent hand of God. Even though we may not understand why painful and discouraging events happen in our lives, we have the assurance that God has His reasons—good reasons.

Don’t allow anyone to talk you into quitting. Even though your trials may throw you for a loss time after time, you can have the confidence that God is still in control. Don’t quit. Trust Him and keep on going. A day is coming when you’ll be glad you did.

When you give up on yourself, you give up on God.

_________________________

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[nChrist]

Author: Woodrow Kroll
Source: Lessons on Living from Job
Scripture: Job 2:10

Keeping Your Balance

Job 2:10

But he said to her, "You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?" In all this Job did not sin with his lips.

Keeping Your Balance

An old Arab proverb says, "All sun and no rain makes a desert." Even nature demonstrates the importance of dark clouds and wet days. Without them, life not only fails to grow but totally dries up and blows away. Nothing but sunshine would make for a barren and uninhabitable landscape.

Job realized this truth applied not only to nature but to human life as well. It would be foolish to think that God should send only those things that appear to be good without balancing them with those experiences that appear to be bad. To accept the one and refuse the other is to question God’s wisdom. As painful as it was to go through the loss of his possessions, his health and, most of all, his children, Job was unwilling to fault God. He knew it was part of God’s balance in life.

If given the option, most of us would probably choose sunshine over rain, ice cream over liver and joy over sadness. Fortunately, God doesn’t always give us a choice when it comes to things that challenge our lives. Both sorrow and gladness often come from sources over which we have no control. We can resist the trials and plead for only the "good" things, but this would be foolish. Without the balance between positives and negatives, our spiritual lives would be like the desert. The alternative is to submit to God and accept what He sends our way as part of His ultimate plan for our good.

You may not find it natural, but give thanks for the painful events that have happened in your life. Recognize them for what they are—a gift from the hand of the God who loves you. Acknowledge the truth that you need the rain as well as the sun to make your life complete. God gives you what is best for you. Trust Him and rejoice.

Without the rain, it’s hard to fully appreciate the sunshine.

_________________________

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