Day 37: Thursday, March 22nd, 2018

Mar 22, 2018 | series: Lenten Devotionals 2018


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Whatever has happened — that’s what will happen again; whatever has occurred—that’s what will occur again. There’s nothing new under the sun. People may say about something: “Look at this! It’s new!” But it was already around ages before us. (Ecclesiastes 1:9-10)

A man in the land of Uz was named Job. That man was honest, a person of absolute   integrity; he feared God and avoided evil. 2 He had seven sons and three daughters, (Job 1:1-2)

21 “But look! My betrayer is with me; his hand is on this table. 22  The Human One goes just as it has been determined. But how terrible it is for that person who betrays him.” 23 They began to argue among themselves about which of them it could possibly be who would do this. 24 An   argument broke out among the disciples over which one of them should be regarded as the    greatest.25 But Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles rule over their subjects, and those in authority over them are called ‘friends of the people.’ 26 But that’s not the way it will be with you. Instead, the greatest among you must become like a person of lower status and the leader like a servant. 27 So which one is greater, the one who is seated at the table or the one who serves at the table? Isn’t it the one who is seated at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.28 “You are the ones who have continued with me in my trials. 29 And I confer royal    power on you just as my Father granted royal power to me.30 Thus you will eat and drink at    my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones overseeing the twelve tribes of Israel. 31 “Simon, Simon, look! Satan has asserted the right to sift you all like wheat. (Luke 22:21-31)
 

Why Do Bad Things Happen?

The question has been asked by humans for ages.  And when I ponder this question for my life or others, the only true answer I get in praying for knowledge is that which I get from seeking God’s word from the Bible.  In Ecclesiastes 1: 9-10 we are told that, “that which will be, there is nothing new under the sun.”  In Job 1: 1-12 we learn of a good man’s sufferings, but only with permission of God’s will when Satan asked to sift (tempt) him.  Also in the writings of Jesus telling Peter, Satan has a desire for him to sift and tempt him (Luke 22: 31-32).  Jesus himself said He was praying for him, making sure the power of God’s word concerning Job was also a covering for Peter.  Each man suffered the trials of Satan’s siftings.  But by God’s permission for a limit to the sufferings, they escaped the death that was meant to be their end. 

In my life, I know of trials and temptations I’ve come through and escaped, not by my might or doings, but by the mighty word of God who commanded, “Take not his life.”  Of this I can truly testify, for I know that the grace God has given to Job and Peter was passed on to me and others for a testimony of His love for us, and the power of his love and forgiveness for His children.

Prayer:

“God, keep me ever mindful that I am never alone in the snares of the enemy.” Amen.

 

Contributed by Roosevelt (Pops) Smith

 


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