God Knows

Job‬ ‭23:10, 14 - But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold. For He performs what is appointed for me, and many such things are with Him.

God knows! In Sunday school we’re going verse by verse through the Book of Job. 

FYI, in case you don’t know Job’s story: He was a godly man, first and foremost. He had a wife and family, wealth, I’d guess wisdom and humility. He lost everything but his wife in a matter of days, perhaps hours. 

He also had three friends who tried to comfort him in his time of grief and questions. The book shares their conversations. While the three men spoke truths, their comfort was lacking. Job knew he was a righteous man before God and this was not an arrogant thing. But his friends questioned what he might have done to receive this trial. The statement above gives us the answer. God knows...

God knows about all of us in the same way. It’s hard to fathom One being able to do this. He knows what each of us has need of. He just knows! 

Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His...” (2Timothy‬ ‭2:19‬a) ‭

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you. (Jeremiah‬ ‭1:5‬)

How difficult it is to convey the message that this is good. We have a God whose desire is that none would perish but would come to Him in repentance to receive forgiveness for their sins. His heart is toward us...but too many reject His generous offer. They live as though He does not exist. He is not a distant God ready to pummel and harm. Yes, He is just...with anyone who does wrong or rejects Him and His Word. 

In church Pastor made this comment: we need to believe Jesus, not believe in Him. I’ve been saying it’s not about just knowing who He is but knowing Him. Very similar. Knowing Him and believing Him are not knowing about Him. Those who know Him know Him intimately. We read His Word and the eyes of our understanding, that He has given us, bring life to it. Sadly,  many don’t understand this. 

A song we’ve sung several times is called Great Are You Lord. It speaks to this. 

You give life, You are love
You bring light to the darkness.
You give hope, You restore
Every heart that is broken.
Great are You, Lord

He does bring light to the darkness. He opens our eyes and ears to understanding. (I once was lost, but now I’m found, once was blind but now I see. Amazing grace. It’s sad when people sing this but don’t truly understand the meaning.) 

God knows. He knows the beginning from the end. He knows everything about you, even those things you don’t speak. Nothing is hidden from Him and this should scare anyone. There will be justice some day. He has warned us. If we choose not to listen or take Him seriously or even outright reject Him, there will be consequences. No one gets a pass. Then you are either counted righteous or unrighteous before Him. And there are two places (only two, nothing in between) where we will go. The last blog mentioned this, I believe. 

We are not to be fearful  of God  but to reverently fear Him. He only wants good for us. If we choose not to receive, we’ve made our decision. There will be consequences. I will praise Him no matter what! He is worthy. I’m thankful He laid His hand upon me. 

Psalm‬ ‭139:1-5‬ - You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, O LORD, You know it altogether. You have hedged me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me.

‭‭

‭‭

Fall

Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 - To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted...

I’ve been getting out to walk several times a week this summer. After a rough last winter of just not feeling well and carotid artery surgery in May, I’m well-recovered. 

The seasons are changing and Fall is fast approaching, which is noticeable on my walks. 

This morning I was contemplating the seasons, especially Fall. I figured Fall was named after the death and fall of leaves. Here was a suggestion: The word fall comes from the Old English word feallan which means “to fall or to die.” 

I wondered whether there was a season of Fall in the Garden before Adam and Eve fell. Too many varying answers. While one might think everything always lived, I’m not so sure things did. Life may have been longer but still ended. The fall of Adam and Eve was of a spiritual nature. 

While man will die physically, one does not need to die spiritually. There is a spiritual death for those who do not believe in God, or do not have a relationship with Jesus Christ. The fall of man gave us an example of what happens when we are disobedient to God. They were taken out of the garden and not allowed back in. The communion they want hand with God the father ended thus we have a separation from God right from the very beginning of our lives. The only way we can remove that separation is to receive Christ and follow Him. It’s why God the Father sent His Son, to die for our sins, which sins occurred with the fall of man in the garden.

To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven... (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

I’m so grateful for God’s plan if salvation for all mankind. Thankful He desires restoration and reconnection with Him. It is our decision to make, this eternal spiritual life. Some believe that when we die, we just don’t exist anymore. This is not true. Just as there is eternal like there is eternal death...Jesus spoke these words. Remember, He is also God and God cannot lie:

But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 8:12) 

So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 13:49-50)

The wicked are those who have not received Jesus, not just know of Him, but have taken Him seriously into their hearts and desire to know Him through His Word. We all fall into the wicked category if we don’t do this. Thankfully, He never stops receiving and forgiving if one finally submits to Him. Only He ends that separation between us and the Father. He is the Door, the Way. Don’t “fall” for the lies that there is no eternal death. 

I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture....I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. (John 10:9,14:6)

Know The Truth

All I want is to know the truth. The world can lie, but there is One whose words are always true and just. Jesus or the world? It’s a choice we have to make. 

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

Then Jesus said to them, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things.”

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John‬ ‭8:12,28,31-32‬)

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. (‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:8‬)

*******************

As I was walking this same morning I continued thinking about what I posted on Facebook above. While all the stuff that upsets, angers, frustrates will continue to happen in the world, some will keep eyes focused on things above. 

...while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. ‭‭(2Corinthians‬ ‭4:18‬)

If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. (Colossians‬ ‭3:1-3‬)

This is what is called faith...in what we cannot see. It’s trusting God. It’s knowing that He knows all things and His ways, no matter in whatever situation, personal, political, world situations, wars, will always be greater than yours or mine. That’s real power. God does not nor cannot lie. We will never in our lifetime understand His ways. But He works all things out for good, for those who love Him? He might be putting you in a situation for that very reason...that you might look to HIM. He has a master plan for this world. Will you trust Him or trust yourself, or someone else, or a faulty government? Those who love Him can trust in His goodness. He is all-powerful.

If things are unsettled (or will be someday), perhaps He’s got His eyes set on you. If you’re in a 
situation, if it is for no other reason but for Him to see one soul saved out of this world and out of their sin, it will have been worth it. Perhaps He’s got His eye set on you....