Tuesday April 1, 2014

Read Job 42:2, Acts 4:23-31.
Job was a righteous and God-loving man. His whole life was bent around loving and living out the will of God. Even so, satan came into the presence of God and asked that he be allowed to strike Job with various losses, death in the family and even in his health. Satan was allowed to strike Job and Job lost everything except his life and his wife who constantly urged him to curse God and to die. After some time and approximately 40 chapters Job is confronted by God. Out of the storm, Job is confronted by The Almighty:

"Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him? Let him who accuses God answer him!” (Job 40:2).

A few verses later God again confronts Job: 

“Would you discredit my justice?

Would you condemn me to justify yourself?"

The implication is clear. God, the Almighty God, will not tolerate being accused of sin or injustice. He will not endure accusation.

God is perfectly just, perfectly pure and totally void of any evil intent or motive. He simply cannot be accused of wrong doing.

The disciples came to this realization after the resurrection of Christ Jesus. They had been flogged and persecuted for preaching Christ risen from the dead. They gathered together and lifted up their praises to God Almighty. The Holy Spirit brought Psalm 2 to their hearts and minds and they adored God who planned and decided to send Jesus to the cross for the sins of the world. Yet it was Herod and Pilate and the Gentiles and the people of Israel who falsely tried Jesus and nailed Him to the cross. In the greatest miscarriage of justice and evil (the sentencing and crucifixion of the Holy One) God could not and would not be accused of evil, of sin or of sinful motives. His ways are pure and just, righteous and holy.

The disciples, along with Job came to a startling realization. We too need to come to that realization. Job spelt it out clearly for us when he declared, 

“I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted.” (Job 42:4).

Perhaps we too need to grow into that realization.

Worship Moment
No matter how tough life gets, remember that no plan of God's can be thwarted. He is and will always be in total control. That means you can praise God and worship Him even when life is dark and miserable. When the going gets tough, the tough still worship God.

Discussion Questions For Families and Groups

1. How do you think God’s sovereignty and providence should affect our prayers?
2. How can Job 42:2 be used to encourage someone going through a tough time?
3. A non believer says to you, ‘God killed his own son. I can’t worship that kind of God!’ How do you respond?

Prayer:
Having read today’s passages, jot down 2 points for each type of prayer.
Adoration:

Confess:

Thanks

Supplication:

• Pray that our cell nights would be a great blessing and edification for all who attend. Pray that we’d see more and more people joining cell groups and being active in the church.
• Pray that God would bless our children’s ministry and leaders. Pray that the children would grow strong in the Lord and closer to Him day by day. Pray that the leaders would be prayerful, diligent in preparation and able to see the eternal value of their work.