Written by Chuck Swindoll, these encouraging devotional thoughts are published seven days per week.
Read Psalm 115:3; Isaiah 45:9; Romans 8:28–30
“Our God is in the heavens, and he does as he wishes.” (Psalm 115:3)
Nothing is a surprise to God, not even our slightest trials. His plan may seem unfair, but that’s because we dwell in the here and now. We lack the vertical view. In fact, we sometimes quarrel with God, as the prophet Isaiah testifies:
Read Isaiah 45:5–7, 12
“I am the one who made the earth and created people to live on it. With my hands I stretched out the heavens. All the stars are at my command.” (Isaiah 45:12)
It may seem to many that the One who made us is too far removed to concern Himself with such tiny details of life on this old globe. But that is not the case. His mysterious plan is running its course right on schedule, exactly as He decreed it.
Read Romans 11:33–34; Job 2:10; Isaiah 55:8–9
Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways! For who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to give him advice? (Romans 11:33–34)
Despite all of our searching and study of the Scriptures, we’ll never be able to see everything clearly, to fully grasp and understand and answer all the questions. They are beyond our comprehension—a puzzle, a mystery.
Read Psalm 139:4–6
You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand.(Psalm 139:4–6)
Read Hebrews 12:15; Isaiah 55:8–9; Proverbs 16:7
Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many. (Hebrews 12:15)
If God has called you to be a Job—a rare calling—remember that the Lord is not only full of compassion, He is also in full control. He will not leave you without hope. He offers us His promises:
Read 1 Peter 3:12
The eyes of the LORD watch over those who do right,And his ears are open to their prayers.But the LORD turns his face against those who do evil. (1 Peter 3:12)
Our response to unfairness, as with all other issues, is based on our perspective—the particular vantage point from which we look at life. Basically, in this case, we have two perspectives to choose from: the human perspective or the divine.
The Human Perspective
Read Hebrews 5:12–14
You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right. Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong. (Hebrews 5:12–14)
Read 2 Corinthians 13:11; 1 Peter 3:8–12
Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you. (2 Corinthians 13:11)
Look at 1 Peter 3:8–12, and you’ll find a checklist for spiritual maturity. It helps us evaluate how we’re doing on this pilgrimage from earth to heaven.
Read 1 Peter 3:8–9
All of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing. (1 Peter 3:8–9)
Read 1 Peter 2:24–25
He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed.Once you were like sheep who wandered away.But now you have turned to your Shepherd,The Guardian of your souls.(1 Peter 2:24–25)
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