Tag: Lucifer

The Internal War

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It was my observation; about 44+ years ago, as a baby Christian (only a few years old in Jesus), I was drawn into a very dark situation while involved in helping a church establish a building program. I believed I had been lied to by my district leaders, I felt betrayed and hurt. I was self-focused, heartbroken, but after a short while, that heartbreak turned to vindictive unforgiveness. At first, I convinced myself I had every right feeling this emotion. Then common sense set in, and I knew I was in trouble. For weeks I struggled. I wanted what was right but could not shake loose from the troubles. I prayed, thought I was free, then a few days later, a trigger would actuate my feelings, and I was back in the ditch.

The relentless feeling of righteous anger was a drug that would overpower the small voice pulling the desire of my heart towards forgiveness. Yet I held onto unforgiveness. I prayed openly for mercy and kindness towards the people I was struggling with, but I was way too young in the Lord to enter his rest.

The war inside me was exhausting. It affected my marriage, my children, and my work. There was no relief. One side in me wanted a cease fire the other side in me wanted total victory.

Then a friend of mine, seeing my struggle, talking with friends who also were aware of my struggle decided to enter the fray. He started talking to me about standing down, ending the struggle. I resisted. I wanted victory. Fortunately, he was on a mission. He knew what I did not.

He knew I needed to let go or I would digress into a disabled human, a trophy of Lucifer. He kept showing me passages on forgiveness, I was hopeless. He kept at it. My friend showed me Psalms 130 and helped me to really understand the message from David.

David said — Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord; Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy (Psalms 130:1-2).

I wanted to be free, even if it meant forgiving someone undeserving of my forgiveness and had not even asked for it. I wanted out of the prison I had created. Yet I could not find the door. How do I get out?

David said — If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you (Psalms 130:3-4).

I realized I had been living in a state of oppression from Lucifer, and it was affecting everything. It affected my choices each day. It affected my peace, joy, and happiness each day. In pursuit of a twisted form of justice, I lost sight of God’s goodness, his mercy.

David said — I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his Word, I put my hope. I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning (Psalms 130:5-6).

From a worldly perspective, I convinced myself I was justified to be angry and unforgiving, but from a godly perspective, I saw with fresh eyes that my anger and unforgiveness held me hostage to a lack of joy – my close communion with God and my family had been marred. I was wrong in God’s eyes. I was trying to do his job. I repented.

David said — Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins (Psalms 130:7-8).

I learned all over again about forgiveness, given to me as a gift by the actions of Jesus. His forgiveness had opened the door, then blew out the hinges so it could not close again. The prisoner was me. The Door was clinging to my anger and unforgiveness. My friend had pointed me to the cross and Jesus. My friend helped me put down the crushing burden. My peace returned. The war inside of me was over. My friend knew one thing I did not know. The way out of the problem. He was a blessing to me.

I choose Jesus.

How Long Did Job Suffer?

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It has been my observation that when the Bible speaks on a topic, the Bible speaks absolute truth. Furthermore, I find no path available (within the confines of absolute truth) to yield on this point and remain faithful to scripture (God’s message). But sometimes, we observe that scripture leaves gaps in the information presented.

What do we do? What should we do? The focus of this essay is one of those gaps. Let us explore the duration (timeline) for the troubles of Job. Scripture does not comment on the complete timeline, but I have attempted to form a reasonable estimate of the timeline drawing from available scripture and a close reading of a map. I chose this subject because it does not present the same struggles that other gaps in scripture do.

Let us start at the beginning. Job was a real person who experienced the real events described in the book of Job. I start with that truth. I believe his friends (Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar) were earnest but misguided – they were scolded by God at the end of the account (see Job 42:7-9). I believe that Elihu was on point – he was not scolded by God at the end of the account. But it remains, how much time did the story traverse?

The following dialogue is ‘one man’s opinion’ — a safe way to demonstrate how to deal with an unknown. I am not recommending that you build life theology on my findings, rather I traveled this path to try to wrap my mind around the message of Job and to form an understanding for the duration of his woes. 30 years, 3 years, 3 weeks, 3 days, 3 minutes – these various spans of time all affect the intensity of the account.

We know that Job’s suffering began with the death of his servants and the loss of his livestock. Then his troubles became progressively worse with the deaths of his 10 children and his physical afflictions. We are told that four messengers came, one after the other while the previous one “was yet speaking…” (Job 1:13-19). Scripture says this encounter with the four messengers happened in a single day (Job 1:13).

I think Lucifer would strive to create the maximum amount of chaos in Job’s life (within the limits place upon Lucifer by God) to create the maximum impact on Job. This seems intense but we know God does not permit trouble we cannot endure as long as we lean on God (implied in Psalms 37:24, 1 Corinthians 10:13).

In Job chapter 1:13-19 we read — One day when Job’s sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, and the Sabeans attacked and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!” While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The fire of God fell from the heavens and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!” While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”  While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, “Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!” (NIV)

What a mess. Then a conversation happens between God and Lucifer. This happens while Job is recovering from the troubles. His wife comments on the troubles. (see Job 2). Again, these conversations take about a day. We are prudent to allow time between each key day.

Next, we are told that three of Job’s friends (Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar) decided to visit him when they heard of his suffering (implied in Job 2:11). We know the name of the places they come from; but we are unsure where the places are located on a map. What do we know about this situation? Numbers 1:2 suggests it takes about 11 days to travel from Egypt to the promised land. I choose to assume Job’s friends lived closer than Egypt. Friends tend to live near each other. I suspect they arrive at Job’s place within 10 days of the initial event (three days to get the notification, four days to prepare, and three days to travel). This assumption suggests a maximum of about 2 weeks from notification to arrival (why? Because they lived close to him).

We know Job’s three friends sat with Job in silence for 7 days. Then his friends conducted a debate with Job containing 9 discourses (see Job 3-27). After Job’s three friends ceased debating, Job speaks on a deeper level (Job 28-31). Finally, Elihu, a young man, arrived and spoke up (see Job 32-37). When Elihu ceased speaking, then God spoke. God first asked questions of Job (Job 38-41), and then He rebuked Job’s three friends. Overall, I estimate about 3-4 weeks for the debate (1 week of silence, 2-3 weeks of debate).

Given the first few days of notifications from the four messengers, the conversation with his wife, the notification and travel time for Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, and the debate, we find ourselves with about 6-8 weeks of time.

Let us pause to notice how Job responded to the Lord (Job 42:2-6) “I know that You can do everything, … You asked, ‘Who … hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore, I have uttered what I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. … I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You. Therefore, I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes. “

After the three friends left (implied in Job 42:9), God restored Job (implied in Job 42:10). Based on this analysis I suggest the timeline for the troubles of Job and the assorted conversations traversed a couple of months. I prefer to think the restoration (see Job 42) happened over a few years. The Bible simply does not say. But it helps me to understand the flow of events if I place the occurrences for most of the Book of Job into a window of a few months. You may hold a different opinion — I’m good with that. I do not think it would be fruitful to debate this topic much. I formed this opinion as a tool, a framework, to help me visualize the events unfolding as described in the book of Job.

The deeper truth from Job — When God allows us to suffer in any way, or for any length of time, we must remember that He has a purpose (implied in Romans 5:3-5). The absence of a timeline in the Book of Job helps us to avoid comparing the duration of our suffering to Job’s suffering. We are promised God will work all things for our ultimate good and His glory (implied in 1 Corinthians 10:13). Therefore, what matters most is not the length of suffering, or even the severity of our suffering, it is how we choose to embrace the suffering (implied in Ecclesiastes 5:1-7). Where do we turn for comfort and hope? When we turn to God in faith, our hearts change, and troubles eventually evaporate (implied in James 1:2-4). Then the desired effect of the unknown timeline may produce the outcome God intended (see Psalms 46:10).

I choose Jesus.

Deprive the Oxygen

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It was my observation, when I was a young elder at a small church in Nebraska, to have a front row view of God healing a man from Bitterness (unforgiveness). I watched a skillful senior elder gradually help a person who had rejected his pastor because of a few stray comments made by the Pastor. Bitter-man (Bman) was not easy to visit with. This senior elder knew Bman was a contractor and went to the job sites to visit with Bman. It took several visits to contractor sites to bring Bman to the reconciliation table. It took months of meetings to help the two men reconcile. The trouble ran deep. After God resolved the problem, the elder mentioned to me – clinging to bitterness is much like drinking an extremely sweet poison while believing that the other person is going to die. He quietly said – The more we feed the foul stench of bitterness in our own heart, the more aggressively it pulls us towards darkness.

Bitterness is a mental poison. It is heavenly to bite into, is quite easy to swallow, and then gently brings darkness to us from the inside out. I think – when we cling to something that drags us into darkness, Lucifer has achieved his objective – his job is really easy at that point. How do we get out of the mess?

Deprive bitterness of oxygen. To strip bitterness of its oxygen, we must first know where the oxygen comes from. Proverbs says – Whoever would foster love covers an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends (Proverbs 17:9). We give bitterness oxygen by repeating the issue over and over in our mind. If we stop the pattern, we can break the power of bitterness over our heart.

Sometimes people love to bring up old issues when a new issue arises between them. If you are one of them, and you know what I am talking about, then the ‘replay’ never allows us to settle the matter. We are an expert at retaining infinite detail on the grievance and are very consistent in bringing it up. Sometimes we engage in constant repeating and reliving the issue with a third party, somebody that was not involved but we have deemed they have a ‘need to know.’  The bible calls this gossip (unless a crime or abuse has been committed). The tough part of gossip is that it hurts a lot of people. The transmitter of gossip is injured (see Proverbs 25:9–10); the listener of the gossip is harmed (see Proverbs 22:24–25); and the Spirit of God is grieved (see Ephesians 4:29-32). Just say no to gossip.

Whenever we do these things, we give the devil a foothold to sow more darkness and bitterness inside of us (implied in Hebrews 12:14–15). Paul says — Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, brawling, slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you (Ephesians 4:31–32). At some point, we must let go. Bitterness grows, or it diminishes, but it does not set still. Just hand it over to Jesus before you are consumed.

To starve our souls of one thing (to let go), we must feed our souls with something else. We let go of bitterness by refocusing our heart and mind on God’s love and forgiveness toward us. Paul says — Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things (Philippians 4:8).  J I Packer says — There is tremendous relief in knowing that His love towards me is utterly realistic, based at every point on prior knowledge of the worst about me, so that no discovery now can disillusion Him about me, in the way I am so often disillusioned about myself, and quench His determination to bless me.  We are free.

When we stray, Jesus is constantly in pursuit. He instantly celebrates when we repent and turn towards him (implied Luke 15:20–32). There is mercy waiting for every repentant sinner, including me, with our imperfect hearts seeking perfect forgiveness (implied in Proverbs 28:13; 1 John 1:9).

I choose Jesus.

Those who seek Him

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Written by Dan

It has been my observation that David paints an amazing picture of how to approach God. He is specific; we are to have clean hands, a pure heart, and we are to focus on Him alone with no other distractions or adulations. When we do this, then our capacity to trust Jesus and hear his guidance is magnified. How does he speak? I think the one true living God speaks through two pillars — nature and revelation.

The universe was not created to be unmitigated disorder. Rather, the earth was created into the most proper shape and size for us by God’s infinite wisdom. God’s revelation, his logos in action, his truth in activities; is his wisdom personified and exemplified in the creation of all that we know.

Psalms 24: 1-6 says — The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he established it on the waters. Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god. They will receive blessing [direction] from the Lord and vindication from God their Savior. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek [his] face, the God of Jacob (NIV).

When I think of this creation, built in the framework of God’s wisdom, I immediately become aware that he made nothing in vain. There is no waste, God intended everything I can see, feel, smell, touch or hear to achieve some endgame; it was designed to display his intention and grace for us. It should also be observed; we are created to reflect God’s goodness, we are not made in vain, we have purpose, we are created to serve his use and benefit, we are the perfect habitation for his Holy Spirit, and this is the cool part — all of this was planned for us before creation, long before anything was existent – he planned us.

Psalms 104: 19-32 (paraphrased) says – You made the moon to mark the seasons, and mark when the sun goes down. You bring darkness, it becomes night, and all the beasts of the forest prowl. … People go out to their work in the daylight; they labor until the evening moon rises. How many are your works. In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. All creatures look to you for their food at the proper time. When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are satisfied with good things. When you hide your face, they are terrified; when you take away their breath, they die and return to the dust. May the glory of the Lord endure forever; may the Lord rejoice in his works—You look at the earth and it trembles; you touch the mountains and they smoke (NIV).

So, I wonder, how do we approach God? This is what I think – God reveals the path through the light of His creation and His revelation. The work of God’s creation overwhelmingly proves to me that He is the one true living God. This created beauty draws us into His presence.  There is more.  His revealed Word is absolute truth, the Word provides our guideposts, the Word draws us into his presence.  We should note – God’s oracles (prophets) stomp all over any dribble eked out by soothsayers. Just look at the beauty and accuracy of any prophet in scripture. His message is profound and full of wisdom. The soothsayers produce vague platitudes for living, God’s prophets deliver deep pools of wisdom and foresight; their message is pure, considerate, impartial, and full of guidance for our life. (implied in James 4:17)

The soothsayers deliver their platitudes from dens and caverns with a soothing voice and ambiguous serene expressions; their message originates from dark vagueness as if the message is relevant. God delivered his message from the sunlight of Mount Sinai to all of us in distinct and intelligible logic – No darkness. Just Light, Love, and Holy Ground. Who do you think we can trust? Who has your best interest at heart? Do you want vague platitudes or focused instruction?  Hmmm.  I prefer God’s specificity.

I choose Jesus.

How Long Did Job Suffer?

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Written By Dan

It has been my observation that when the Bible speaks on a topic, the Bible speaks absolute truth. Furthermore, I find no path available (within the confines of absolute truth) to yield on this point and remain faithful to scripture (God’s message). But sometimes, we observe that scripture leaves gaps in the information presented.

What do we do? What should we do? The focus of this essay is one of those gaps. Let us explore the duration (timeline) for the troubles of Job. Scripture does not comment on the complete timeline, but I have attempted to form a reasonable estimate of the timeline drawing from available scripture and a close reading of a map. I chose this subject because it does not present the same struggles that other gaps in scripture do.

Let us start at the beginning. Job was a real person who experienced the real events described in the book of Job. I start with that truth. I believe his friends (Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar) were earnest but misguided – they were scolded by God at the end of the account (see Job 42:7-9). I believe that Elihu was on point – he was not scolded by God at the end of the account. But it remains, how much time did the story traverse?

The following dialogue is ‘one man’s opinion’ — a safe way to demonstrate how to deal with an unknown. I am not recommending that you build life theology on my findings, rather I traveled this path to try to wrap my mind around the message of Job and to form an understanding for the duration of his woes. 30 years, 3 years, 3 weeks, 3 days, 3 minutes – these various spans of time all affect the intensity of the account.

We know that Job’s suffering began with the death of his servants and the loss of his livestock. Then his troubles became progressively worse with the deaths of his 10 children and his physical afflictions. We are told that four messengers came, one after the other while the previous one “was yet speaking…” (Job 1:13-19). Scripture says this encounter with the four messengers happened in a single day (Job 1:13).

I think Lucifer would strive to create the maximum amount of chaos in Job’s life (within the limits place upon Lucifer by God) to create the maximum impact on Job. This seems intense but we know God does not permit trouble we cannot endure as long as we lean on God (implied in Psalms 37:24, 1 Corinthians 10:13).

In Job chapter 1:13-19 we read — One day when Job’s sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, and the Sabeans attacked and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!” While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The fire of God fell from the heavens and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!” While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”  While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, “Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!” (NIV)

What a mess. Then a conversation happens between God and Lucifer. This happens while Job is recovering from the troubles. His wife comments on the troubles. (see Job 2). Again, these conversations take about a day. We are prudent to allow time between each key day.

Next, we are told that three of Job’s friends (Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar) decided to visit him when they heard of his suffering (implied in Job 2:11). We know the name of the places they come from; but we are unsure where the places are located on a map. What do we know about this situation? Numbers 1:2 suggests it takes about 11 days to travel from Egypt to the promised land. I choose to assume Job’s friends lived closer than Egypt. Friends tend to live near each other. I suspect they arrive at Job’s place within 10 days of the initial event (three days to get the notification, four days to prepare, and three days to travel). This assumption suggests a maximum of about 2 weeks from notification to arrival (why? Because they lived close to him).

We know Job’s three friends sat with Job in silence for 7 days. Then his friends conducted a debate with Job containing 9 discourses (see Job 3-27). After Job’s three friends ceased debating, Job speaks on a deeper level (Job 28-31). Finally, Elihu, a young man, arrived and spoke up (see Job 32-37). When Elihu ceased speaking, then God spoke. God first asked questions of Job (Job 38-41), and then He rebuked Job’s three friends. Overall, I estimate about 3-4 weeks for the debate (1 week of silence, 2-3 weeks of debate).

Given the first few days of notifications from the four messengers, the conversation with his wife, the notification and travel time for Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, and the debate, we find ourselves with about 6-8 weeks of time.

Let us pause to notice how Job responded to the Lord (Job 42:2-6) “I know that You can do everything, … You asked, ‘Who … hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore, I have uttered what I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. … I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You. Therefore, I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes. “

After the three friends left (implied in Job 42:9), God restored Job (implied in Job 42:10). Based on this analysis I suggest the timeline for the troubles of Job and the assorted conversations traversed a couple of months. I prefer to think the restoration (see Job 42) happened over a few years. The Bible simply does not say. But it helps me to understand the flow of events if I place the occurrences for most of the Book of Job into a window of a few months. You may hold a different opinion — I’m good with that. I do not think it would be fruitful to debate this topic much. I formed this opinion as a tool, a framework, to help me visualize the events unfolding as described in the book of Job.

The deeper truth from Job — When God allows us to suffer in any way, or for any length of time, we must remember that He has a purpose (implied in Romans 5:3-5). The absence of a timeline in the Book of Job helps us to avoid comparing the duration of our suffering to Job’s suffering. We are promised God will work all things for our ultimate good and His glory (implied in 1 Corinthians 10:13). Therefore, what matters most is not the length of suffering, or even the severity of our suffering, it is how we choose to embrace the suffering (implied in Ecclesiastes 5:1-7). Where do we turn for comfort and hope? When we turn to God in faith, our hearts change, and troubles eventually evaporate (implied in James 1:2-4). Then the desired effect of the unknown timeline may produce the outcome God intended (see Psalms 46:10).

I choose Jesus.

Announcements from the Angelic Host

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Essay By Dan

It has been my observation that angels are remarkable creatures, God created a wonderful group of beings that quietly move with power and grace behind the spotlight. I read a while back in a Billy Graham book they could be called God’s Secret Agents, not seeking to draw attention to themselves, but to do God’s bidding. One of the reasons I think we may not be personally aware of angels in our life is because they are able to do their job without a revelation to us. The Bible cites a limited number of instances when God has given us a glimpse of these beings at work.

The Bible does not precisely say how many angels exist. It was a “multitude” of the heavenly host that told the shepherds of Jesus’ birth (Luke 2:13). Daniel 7:10 tells us — Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. (NIV). That would suggest there are at least one hundred million angels—I suspect the host of angels is a force too vast to imagine. Perhaps that is why Job 25:3 asks — Can His forces be numbered? (NIV).

I wonder sometimes why Scripture does not provide a precise description of how angels look. We do have some verbal imagery; therefore, we know they can appear in different forms. Occasionally angels appear as ordinary humans; we are told it is possible to interact with angels without knowing. Hebrews 13:2 tells us — Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it (NIV).

Even though angels can be overwhelming in appearance, we should not worship angels. John tells us in Revelations 19:9-10 — the angel said … ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’ And he added, ‘These are the true words of God.’ At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, ‘Do not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers and sisters who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! It is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus’ (NIV).

A second time in Revelation 22:8–9 John tells us — when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things. Then he said to me, ‘See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God’ (NIV). The angel would not accept John’s worship.

It seems prudent to mention Lucifer. I am not interested in promoting his role, I shall not magnify his feral rebellion. But it is necessary to mention him because we may encounter an angel with a message at some point in our Walk with God. We know there are holy angels and unholy ones (fallen angels or demons). If an awe-inspiring angelic being were to appear to us right now, we would be inclined to believe just about anything he said—it is hard to not be awestruck by something so powerful.

What do we do? Scripture tells us to assess any so-called angel’s message (or a teaching from any source) with what we find in God’s Word. “But even if we, or an angel from Heaven, preach any other teaching to you than what we have preached to you, let him be cursed” (Galatians 1:8 paraphrased). Simple? Ya. But we need to guard our hearts. We need to keep our wits about us. Test first. Evaluate any message that appears to be from a heavenly source before you commit. Align the message you are hearing with scripture. If it does not align with scripture, then discard the message. The Word of God does not lie, it is absolute truth. Trust the Logos. Trust the Word of God over all other messages.

I choose Jesus.

Leverage the Available Tools

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Essay By Dan

Pepper read the previous essay on Wisdom and asked – how do we use wisdom while we play in the sandbox? You may recall this sandbox metaphor from my previous essay on Wisdom. How does it work in practice? The idea of God as an infinitely wise being is the root of all truth. You also may recall an essay I wrote a while back about truth. Absolute truth lives in God’s wisdom. We begin here…

Proverbs 11:14 tell us there’s wisdom in the council of many. It is this wisdom that draws us back to our Men’s Group on Saturday mornings, week after week after week, hoping to hear something that will help guide us through the sea of human drama we live within. There are more things of course that draw us to Saturday morning than just corporate wisdom; But wisdom is certainly one of them. We listen, offer our past experiences, and we learn from each other.

I do not want to simplify things too much, but once you are properly playing in the sandbox, the whole of history ultimately becomes a contest between the wisdom of God and the cunningness of Satan. In Isaiah 14:14 Lucifer dared to say – “I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most-High.”  Of course, the outcome of that contest is not in doubt. The lies and pseudo-wisdom spewed out by Satan will fail in the light of perfect wisdom of God. God has promised us He will control the effort of Satan to distract men from walking with God (see Isaiah 14:26-27).

Proverbs 3:18-26 tells us “As a tree produces fruit, wisdom gives life to those who use it, and everyone who uses it will be happy. The Lord made the earth, using his wisdom. He set the sky in place, using his understanding. With his knowledge, he made springs flow into rivers and the clouds drop rain on the earth. My child, hold on to wisdom and good sense. Don’t let them out of your sight. They will give your life beauty like a necklace around your neck. Then you will go your way in safety, and you will not get hurt. When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, you will sleep in peace. You will not be afraid of sudden trouble; you will not fear the ruin that comes to the wicked, because the Lord will keep you safe. He will keep you from being trapped.”  This is the sandbox…

God’s wisdom sees everything in focus, each element in its proper relationship to the whole, and all the required tasking necessary to achieve the endgame. Wisdom moves us towards God’s goal with flawless precision. What do we do? Engage in life with the still small voice of the one true living God.

God does everything with perfect wisdom – first for his own glory and then for the highest good of the greatest number of us for the longest period. There is nothing but pureness, goodness, and wisdom in his acts. Not only could his wise actions not be any better than they are; a better way to do them is not possible to imagine. Oh Lord how manifold are your works and your wisdom that has made them all. The earth is full of your riches (implied in Psalms 104:24-25}.

Most of us go through life praying a little bit for relief from problems, planning a little bit on how we are going to live our life, jockeying for position in our families and our jobs, never quite certain of anything, and secretly afraid that we are going to miss the path. In my humble view, the wisdom he makes available to us brings a calm to the storm as we careen through life like a steel ball in a pinball machine.

If we believe that God constantly injects circumstances that work for our good, He helps us to move towards a constant state of service, praise, and worship. Furthermore, those circumstances help us to find God’s peace and wisdom in the middle of a hurricane. Focus on the tools mentioned in Proverbs 3:18-26. Leverage the tools available in the sandbox.

I choose Jesus.