A Nugget from New Life Network
Scripture for the Day (July 1, 2015)
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)
You can not do enough works or be smart enough to avoid this truth. Faith is like gravity on earth. You can’t see it, but it’s there. God has secrets that no man or woman will ever be able to figure out intellectually. There are certain things we are going to have to accept by faith if we want to receive everything God has for us. He made it that way on purpose. He is God! We are not!
Do you remember the story of Job and all the wise counsel he was receiving from his supposed friends? God’s personal response to all that religious and intellectual rhetoric in Job 38-41 should be read by each one of us periodically just to remind us of who we are and who God is. The following are just a few excerpts from God in Job 38 (NLT):
Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words? Brace yourself like a man; because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them. Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you know so much. Who determined its dimensions and stretched out the surveying line? What supports its foundations, and who laid its cornerstone as the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy? Who kept the sea inside its boundaries as it burst from the womb, and as I clothed it with clouds and wrapped it in thick darkness? For I locked it behind barred gates, limiting its shores. I said, This far and no farther will you come. Here your proud waves must stop! Have you ever commanded the morning to appear and caused the dawn to rise in the east? Have you made daylight spread to the ends of the earth, to bring an end to the night’s wickedness? As the light approaches, the earth takes shape like clay pressed beneath a seal; it is robed in brilliant colors. The light disturbs the wicked and stops the arm that is raised in violence. Have you explored the springs from which the seas come? Have you explored their depths? Do you know where the gates of death are located? Have you seen the gates of utter gloom? Do you realize the extent of the earth? Tell me about it if you know!
This goes on and on for four Chapters. I can just envision Job and his friends sinking lower and lower in their self evaluation seats as God proceeds. It is amazing how quickly intellectual arrogance and religious pride can turn to face-on-the-ground humility when you get into the presence of God. Isaiah said he was undone! Job’s response to God was also very humbling and probably done from a prone position:
I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes. (Job 4:5-6)
The really smart man or woman does not think more highly of themselves than they ought but has learned to walk by faith and not by sight. They have learned that real wisdom comes from God and not from a college degree. They have learned to humble themselves in the presence of the Creator. It would be wise for all of us to learn these things and act accordingly.
Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. (Hebrews 11:3)
Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. (Hebrews 10:38)
Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts. (Isaiah 6:5)
