God’s Word Says….

Job 37:6-7 & 14 (NCV)

⁶ He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’

and to the shower, ‘Be a heavy rain.’

⁷ With it, he stops everyone from working

so everyone knows it is the work of God.

¹⁴ “Job, listen to this:

Stop and notice God’s miracles.

My Thoughts…..

Elihu continues in his efforts to encourage Job, and this chapter has armed me with so many ways that I too can recognize God at work, and in turn, try to encourage a Brother or Sister who is so inward focused that they have lost sight of all that God has done, and is continuing to do for them, and all around them. Because we are not affected by snow in this part of the world that I live in, I will focus on the rain mentioned in verse 6. We often consider the blessings of the rain because of all the good it does for our growing plants, especially citrus, vegetable and flower vegetation. However I don’t believe that we stop to consider, like Elihu did in verse 7, that we had to stop our outside work during the heavy rain and storm. Why? So that we can stop and recognize the handiwork of God! Wow, how awesome is that thought? Now as I mentioned already, this entire chapter is devoted to showing Job, and us, how awesome our God really is, and in verse 14 Job was asked to just stop his whining, complaining and looking inward at his own dilemma, and instead reflect on the miracles and handiwork of God. In this way, he might be encouraged to recognize that God is still very much alive, active and providing his needs in so many ways. A lesson for us all friends!

Challenge……

Our challenge in this chapter of Job, is to take our focus off self and all that we wish God would do for us, to instead look for, acknowledge and praise Him for all that He is already doing to bless us and provide for us in so many marvelous ways. I was once told that instead of complaining about our broken arm, we should instead concentrate on praising God for the blessings of the good, whole arm that was unaffected by the accident we were in! I truly believe that in all of life’s circumstances we can still see God very much alive and at work. In many situations we may feel like the worst possible thing has happened to us, yet as we look back on that scenario years later, we could see how some part of that was used to bring glory to God – perhaps through a loved one coming to know Him as Lord, or something similar. We must remember, God’s work is way more important than our particular, personal problems. Let’s look to Him to work all things out for His good and His glory. Praise God if He can use us in that process, but let’s not focus so much on ourselves and our circumstances that we lose sight of the blessings occurring all around us by our wonderful, all-powerful, awesome God! Let’s be still and know that He is God!

Prayer……

Father God, please forgive me for my littleness and selfishness. Thank You for reminding me in Your Word today that Your work is really what matters. Ministering to me, my community, my country and this world will encompass times where things may not go the way I want them to. I must always look to You as God, so that You may accomplish Your will for Your glory and Your honor in everything that happens. At times this will not involve me, but please help me to praise You anyway. After all, if You heal a sick person in hospital, not only can I praise You for that healing, but I can recognize that You have truly blessed me with great health, otherwise I might be that person in hospital needing the healing. I am blessed dear Lord, and I praise You for being so gracious and wonderful to me. Help me to always look beyond my circumstances and reflect on Your handiwork, so that I might always remember and recognize the God who loves me so much. Please help me to be a lighthouse to my friends who are hurting today, so that I may point them to You and Your handiwork. For I ask all this in the precious name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. AMEN!

Action…..

In response to God leading You through this devotional today, please get with a Bible teaching Pastor you may know and allow him to guide you. Otherwise feel free to reply to my post online, or you may email me directly at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. I will gladly add you to my prayer list, and/or respond to your request(s) ASAP.