Skip to main content

Mysterious and Wonderful are Your Ways

who is this that questions my wisdom? Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me, where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?... (Job 38-40) 

Job had been afflicted, the scriptures say not because he was an unrighteous man nor because he lacked faith, but because God had tried him. Job had said to his wife, "shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?" (Job 2:10) God asked Job who was he to question him. Finally, Job's response is "behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth," and God says again "dress for action like a man..." (Job 40:3-14) Job came to this realization saying I had heard you with my ears now my eyes see you. (Job 42:5) "Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know." (Job 42:3) 

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect (mature) and whole, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2-4)

Dress for action like a man. The trial brings maturity, dresses us for action to be men of God. The child who does not become a warrior, will not fight but he will be passive and double-minded not receiving wisdom to mature. A child tossed to and fro is deceitful scheming of the devil. But the young person has become a warrior, overcoming the evil one, he has been tried and endured unto maturity. "Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction. For my own sake, my very own sake I will do it, for how can [my name] be defiled and my glory to another will not be given." (Isaiah 48:10) The prophet Malachi spoke of the coming of the Lord as a refiner's fire, he would refine us as a silversmith purifies gold by burning off the dross, the impurities. (Malachi 3:2-4) Yes, Jesus has adopted us, redeemed, forgiven our trespasses but we are tried in the furnace of affliction, sharing in his suffering so as to share in His glory. 

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the testing of the genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:6-7) 

I had COVID-19 this year, it took about a month to get rid of the upper respiratory infection, at one point I got terrible vertigo, so a friend took me to the ER, but for the most part, I pulled through ok. Also, I have been dealing with hypertension this year, so this year has been full of trials. James and Peter write trials are a testing of the genuineness of our faith or proving of our faith. I think to be near and look death in the eyes is the ultimate test of faith. Certainly, for me, the trials strengthen our faith so that we grow stronger in the Lord, so to strengthen others.

I heard today from a friend her daughter's young pastor is fighting for his life in the hospital due to COVID-19. Is it a matter of his faith being weak? not necessarily as the scriptures tell us. It could be a testing of his faith. Or possibly the testing of the genuineness of the faith of his family and church. Or possibly a call to warfare, to fight, to grow stronger in the Lord, in prayer and supplication that brings the family and body closer together in the unity of faith and spirit and the bond of love that builds up the Church into maturity. Possibly to awaken us. To the fragility of life, as the scriptures say, like a flower of the field, here today, gone tomorrow. 

Would God allow the death of a godly person for a greater purpose, like the young Steven who was stoned? It is painful, but think about it, he goes to heaven and the impact of his life ripples throughout eternity. God is not cruel, he does not do evil nor tempt us with evil, God is love. For God to take a loved one, these are things that are painful and difficult for us to comprehend, as we do not see the big picture. Is this not why God lovingly allowed evil done to His Son, whose death had a much greater purpose? God so loved the world that he gave... the ripple effect the world still sees today.

Rejoice always in the Lord again I say rejoice. (Philippians 4:4)

Paul, James, Peter write of maturity in the Lord, where they could rejoice during the trial. It is maturity, as Paul experienced many trials that taught him this. A trial by fire that is painful but purifies and such a heart is precious to God, more precious than silver or gold. Maybe, this was the only fault of Job, he should have rejoiced but instead, but instead he tore his clothes and sat in sackcloth and ashes and listened to the counsel of his friends who said he must have done evil for evil to come upon him. But then again often the joy comes after the trial. Paul and Silas are thrown into jail and they sing and rejoice in the Lord. (Acts 16:16-40) We pray for such a mindset, to receive wisdom from God unto maturity. But as I have experienced that often comes through enduring the trial. The scriptures speak of this, 

"But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. For,
“Yet a little while,
and the coming one will come and will not delay;
but my righteous one shall live by faith,
and if he shrinks back,
my soul has no pleasure in him.”
But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls." (Hebrews 10:32-39)

"Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it." (Psalm 139:6) "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9) "O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you; I will praise your name, for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure." (Isaiah 25:1) "I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well." (Psalm 139:14) "To them, God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." (Colossians 1:27) 

The purifier in the trial is the mysterious part, the glory received through enduring the trial is the wonderful part, thus mysterious and wonderful are his works and ways. "Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told." (Habakkuk 1:5)

Popular Posts

The Tripartite Nature of Humanity: Spirit, Soul, and Body

The Tripartite Nature of Humanity: Spirit, Soul, and Body in Biblical Understanding The human being, as depicted in the Bible, is a multifaceted creation, often understood through the distinct yet interconnected components of spirit, soul, and body. While some theological perspectives lean towards a bipartite view (soul and body), which we do see in the Old Testament, a careful examination of the New Testament scripture reveals a compelling case for a tripartite understanding, where each is divided into or composed of three parts. Let’s explore the biblical distinction between spirit, soul, and body. The Body: Our Earthly Vessel The body is the physical form that interacts with the material world. From the very beginning, Genesis 2:7 states, " Then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being ." This verse clearly establishes the body's origin from the earth, emphasizing its connec...
Read more

Lord, Stand By Me

"... present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness ." 1 This word for present means "I bring, present, come up to and stand by," it is parístēmi (from pará, "from close-beside" and hístēmi, "to stand") – properly, stand close beside, i.e. ready to present (exhibit). I pray Lord stand by me which expresses that I put my trust in Him, or I come up to and stand by Him. We use phrases like surrendering or bowing at the cross to explain such a moment, surely it is a coming to the end of ourselves and it is desirable that I find His will acceptable, but it is important to understand that it is about trust, not my will power, the key is that it is in Christ. The terminology the scriptures use is "present yourselves to God," or come up to and stand by and walk with Him. "... present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God--this...
Read more

Blessed Are The Forgiven

Blessed! the one whose lawless deeds are forgiven and the one whose sins are covered over, blessed is the man whom sin, the Lord will not consider . * Paul writes David foresaw and spoke " blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered . *  Blessed, is the one whom sin is not considered, this word considered  means "to credit, count, reckon, to set down as a matter of account; regard, think, consider." This blessing comes through faith and according to grace, " also David speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God considers righteousness apart from works ." *  The word for  lawless deeds speaks of the violation of the Law and the word for sin  speaks of missing the mark of God's righteousness. Blessed are those who (by faith in Christ according to grace) have been forgiven. In Him receiving the redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of trespasses according to the riches of His grace . * This fundamental ...
Read more

The New Living Way

The New Living Way "... Now, at the present released from the Law, having died in that which held us captive, so that we serve in newness of Spirit and not the old written code " -- Romans 7:16 Paul states that we are now united to Christ in his death and also raised with him into newness of life. What held them captive was sin but also the Law, it was a guardian until the appointed time God would send a Messiah (see School Master ). Paul uses the metaphor of marriage to describe how we are released from the Law; like a wife whose husband dies, now she is released from the Law and can marry another, so also have we died with Christ and are released from the Law and bound to Christ in a new covenant. The purpose of this is that we live in a new living way of the Spirit and not fleshly through the old written code or Mosaic Law. " So then brothers, you also have died to the Law through the body of Christ to the extent you exist by creation of another, the one raising you f...
Read more

Spirit of Life

" Indeed, the law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus liberates from the law of sin and death ." 1 This word for liberates "I free, set free, liberate" is from a root word meaning free, exempt, not bound by an obligation. As partakers of God's divine nature, being born of Spirit, we are no longer obligated to the sinful nature but to righteousness which is God's nature. When we believe we receive the Spirit of promise, a guarantee of our inheritance, a great testimony that we are His children, it is a Spirit of Life. " Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life." 24 The Son came not to condemn the world but to save it. "One trespass   led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. " 6 " He was delivered over to death for our trespasses and wa...
Read more

New Testament Growth in Christ: From Foundation to Fullness

  New Testament Growth in Christ: From Foundation to Fullness The New Testament presents a vibrant and multifaceted picture of spiritual growth, not as a static event but as a dynamic, lifelong journey for the believer. This journey, with emphasis on a strong foundation, progresses through a transformative process of maturity forged by endurance, ultimately aiming for the profound goal of experiencing the "fullness of God in Christ." The Foundation: A New Creation The inception of growth in Christ is marked by a radical spiritual new birth, a foundational shift that defines the Christian experience. It is not merely a moral reformation, but a divine act of creation. The apostle Paul declares this truth in 2 Corinthians 5:17 : " Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come ." This new creation is initiated by faith in Jesus Christ, where believers are justified and reconciled to God through His sacrifice. ...
Read more

All Who Are Thirsty

“ Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters;  and he who has no money,  come, buy and eat!  Come, buy wine and milk  without money and without price.  Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,  and your labor for that which does not satisfy?  Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good,  and delight yourselves in rich food. .." (Isaiah 55). " Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price ." Buy is defined as to acquire the ownership of by giving an accepted price or consideration therefore; to accept or believe as true .[ 1 ] When we buy something we consider the price that we must pay, we accept this and purchase the thing we have considered worthy of the sacrifice we make in payment. W e can not buy, with money or price, redemption from t his tragic flaw we are born into. However Jesus paid the price for us, so we buy or accept through consideration, the Greek word is  logizomai.[ 2] ...
Read more

True Widows: A Biblical Perspective

True Widows: A Biblical Perspective Throughout Scripture, God's compassion for widows is evident. He is portrayed as their defender, provider, and source of justice. The Bible repeatedly calls believers to care for widows, reflecting God's own heart for the vulnerable. However, in his letter to Timothy, the Apostle Paul provides a specific definition of a "true" widow, emphasizing the church's responsibility in supporting those who are genuinely in need. God's Compassion for Widows The Old Testament is rich with passages that reveal God's concern for widows. In Exodus 22:22, God commands, "You shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child." This verse underscores His protective nature, ensuring that widows are not mistreated or neglected. Similarly, Deuteronomy 10:18 declares, "He administers justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the stranger, giving him food and clothing." Here, God is depicted as a just and loving prov...
Read more

Called According to His Purpose: A Biblical Examination

  Called According to His Purpose: A Biblical Examination 📖 Introduction The phrase “called according to His purpose” appears in Romans 8:28 (ESV), a foundational verse that reads: “And we know that for those loved of God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.” This statement gives comfort and more—it is a declaration about identity, destiny, and divine intent. To be “called according to His purpose” means participating in God’s sovereign, redemptive plan. God's plan is being manifested through the church through the "new covenant in his blood" as it was established by the death of Jesus. The calling is not arbitrary or based on human merit, but is rooted in God’s purpose, eternal will and love. 🔍 The Nature of the Calling In Scripture, God's calling is effectual—that is, it accomplishes what He intends. Paul writes: "...those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified,...
Read more

Putting On the New Self

Putting On the New Self Theme: Spiritual Growth & Identity in Christ Key Scripture: “And to put on the new man, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” — Ephesians 4:24 (ESV) 🕊️ Day’s Reflection The Christian journey is not about becoming a better version of our old selves. It is about walking in The New Living Way , putting on the new man created in the likeness of God. Scripture calls us to put on the new man , and this call is not symbolic or abstract. It is a command grounded in spiritual truth and lived out in daily walking as Christ walked. 📜 Scripture for Meditation 2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV) “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” Ephesians 4:22–24 (ESV) “To put off your old man, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new man, created after the likeness of...
Read more