To Live Again

Author: Woodrow Kroll
Source: Lessons on Living from Job
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:42-44 1 Corinthians 6:14 Luke 24:1-3 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17 Job 14:14

To Live Again

Job 14:14

"If a man dies, shall he live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait, till my change comes."

To Live Again

The Romanian weekly Tinerama reported that a woman fainted when she opened her front door and found her husband standing there. It all started when a man named Neagu choked on a fish bone, stopped breathing and collapsed. The family doctor, knowing Neagu’s heart condition, didn’t think twice about proclaiming the 71-year-old dead of a heart attack. But three days later, grave diggers at the cemetery heard a suspicious sound. They opened Neagu’s coffin to find him surrounded by wilted flowers but very much alive. It took Neagu three weeks to convince the authorities to cancel his death certificate from their register.

Job, however, had more in mind than mere resuscitation. As he looked ahead to that day when he would put aside his mortal body, he asked the age-old question, "Will I live again?" Implied in Job’s question is not the hopeless uncertainty of the pagan world but a quiet confidence that someday it would be so. As a result, he was willing to plod through his trials patiently, knowing that a greater and more glorious day lay ahead.

As believers in Christ, we have even more reason to be confident. We have not only the promise of resurrection (1 Cor. 6:14) but also the example of Christ (Luke 24:1–3). The apostle Paul assured us that what is sown perishable shall be raised imperishable (1 Cor. 15:42–44). That which is placed in the ground will someday be resurrected to rejoin the spirit from which it was separated and together spend eternity with the Lord (1 Thess. 4:14–17).

If you are troubled by pain and disappointment, be encouraged by what is to come. Wait patiently for that day when God will give you a new body in which to live a new life. The difficulties we experience now will one day vanish into eternity. Take heart—the best is yet to be.

Real life begins after this life.

Total Trust

Author: Woodrow Kroll
Source: Lessons on Living from Job
Scripture: Job 13:15

Total Trust

Job 13:15

"Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him."

Total Trust

Years ago a military officer and his wife were aboard a ship that was caught in a raging storm at sea. Seeing his wife’s fear, the man tried to comfort her. Suddenly she grasped his sleeve and cried, "How can you be so calm?" He stepped back and drew his sword. Pointing it at her, he asked, "Are you afraid of this?" "Of course not!" she answered. "Why not?" he inquired. "Because I know you love me too much to hurt me," she said. He replied, "I also know the One who holds the winds and the waters in the hollow of His hand, and He loves us too much to fail to care for us!"

Job had that same trust. He had lost his children, his wealth and his health. Even his wife had turned against him. He had only one more thing to lose—his own life. Yet Job declared that even if it were to come down to that final loss, he would continue to trust that God had a purpose in everything that happened to him. In Job’s eyes, the important issue was not what was happening but whose hand was behind it. If God did it, Job knew he could trust it.

Often our trust is based on the "what" rather than the "who." We focus on the event rather than the One who controls that event. Consequently, when trials and tribulations come crashing down upon us, our faith is shaken. We can’t understand why a loving Heavenly Father would allow such grief to enter our lives. Yet if we truly believe that He is loving, we can say with Job that even though He slay us, we will believe He intends it for our good. In His infinite wisdom and goodness, He will take the most difficult circumstances and use them for our good.

When you are facing life’s most severe trials, focus on the character of God. Build your trust on who God is, not on what is taking place. When you know who He is, you never have to worry about what He will allow to happen.

Trust is based on character, not circumstances.

A Big God

Author: Woodrow Kroll
Source: Lessons on Living from Job
Scripture: Isaiah 55:9 Job 11:7

A Big God

Job 11:7

"Can you search out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limits of the Almighty?"?

A Big God

As the people of Job’s day walked the earth, they likely didn’t know that our world is 8,000 miles in diameter, with approximately 198,980,000 square miles on its surface. It is unlikely that they realized that this globe we call home is composed of 264 billion cubic miles. Most surely it was beyond their knowledge to compute that even though Earth is big, Saturn is 995 times bigger and Jupiter is 1,281 times bigger still. Furthermore, they had no inkling that beyond the few stars they could see there were at least 300 billion more.

Yet even without the benefit of all these mind-boggling figures, the people of Job’s day knew that God, the Creator of all they saw, was bigger than anything they could comprehend. Zophar the Naamathite, one of Job’s friends, was right when he said that no one could plumb God’s depths or find God’s limits. His thoughts run deeper than any human wisdom; His power outstrips man’s best efforts.

Some people object to the concept of God because He is beyond their ability to understand. They argue that if they can’t comprehend Him, then certainly He must not exist. Others simply dismiss Him as irrelevant because He fails to act as they feel He should. Yet God says, "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts" (Isa. 55:9). Who is man to try to whittle God down to what he can understand?

Let God be God. Don’t try to shrink Him down to fit neatly within your scheme of things. If He were small enough for you to comprehend, He wouldn’t be big enough for you to worship. The fact that He is beyond your understanding is confirmation that no situation will ever exceed His ability to handle it. To live confidently, you don’t have to understand God—you just have to trust Him.

Only small people insist on a small God.

Righteous Before God

Author: Woodrow Kroll
Source: Lessons on Living from Job
Scripture: Job 9:2

Righteous Before God

Job 9:2

"Truly I know it is so, but how can a man be righteous before God?"

Righteous before God

According to Parade magazine, the zoo in Copenhagen, Denmark, has put a human couple on display. Henrik Leh-mann and Malene Botoft live in a see-through cage in the primate display next to the baboons and monkeys. Their habitat has a living room with furniture, a computer, a television and a stereo. The kitchen and bedroom are part of the display. Only the bathroom is excluded from public view. Unlike their neighbors, who aren’t allowed out, the two humans occasionally leave their fishbowl existence to shop and water the flowers on their porch back at home. But for the most part, their lives are on public display.

Job realized that every human being lives under similar conditions when it comes to God. Nothing that we say or even think is hidden from divine scrutiny. Therefore, it is no surprise that Job wondered, perhaps with a hint of hopelessness, how it might be possible to be righteous in God’s sight. With every sin and failure noted, who could possibly stand before God?

When we compare ourselves with other people, we might feel that we’re not all that bad. After all, we don’t get drunk, use drugs or cheat on our income taxes. And when it comes to volunteering for charity, helping at church or just spending time with our family, we may even be sterling examples. But take one look at God’s standards and you’ll see a different picture. As He looks into our hearts to see our motives and view our hidden thoughts, our self-imposed halo begins to slip. It becomes obvious that Job’s question needs to become our own: How can I be righteous before God?

If you are sensing your own need for a right relationship with God, be assured that He has provided a way. Through His Son, Jesus Christ, all your sins have been paid for and you can be forgiven. When you receive Him as your Savior, you stand in His righteousness before the Father. Trust Jesus today and live right before God in the righteousness of His Son.

Christ’s righteousness makes us right with God.

Fast, Faster, Fastest

Author: Woodrow Kroll
Source: Lessons on Living from Job
Scripture: Job 7:6

Fast, Faster, Fastest

Job 7:6

"My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle."

Fast, Faster, Fastest

Men have always had a love affair with speed. The faster they can go—first with horses, then with cars and now with space shuttles—the happier they are. Speed has increased to the point where we have moved from measuring events by the calendar (years, months, weeks) to often measuring them in nanoseconds (one billionth of a second) to reflect how fast things are moving. And what’s more, each increase in speed is usually greeted with enthusiasm.

But that was not the case with Job. He bemoaned a speed that most of us are not too thrilled about—the speed with which the days of our lives go by. The fastest object Job had to compare his life to was the shuttle used by a weaver to create a piece of cloth. A skilled weaver could sling the shuttle back and forth at eye-blurring speed. Job’s lament was that his days seemed to be going by as quickly as the weaver’s shuttle.

The longer we live, the faster our days do seem to go by. Even though 24 hours is still the same, the events of our lives begin to stack up quickly on the history side. At the same time, the future side gets shorter and shorter, and the events of life seem to come more rapidly. This should motivate us to make sure that we diligently invest our time more wisely. As the days speed by like a weaver’s shuttle, make sure you accomplish each day what the Lord wants you to do.

If you are putting things off until "someday," stop procrastinating. Do them now. Someday will be here and gone before you know it. The days of your life are being played out as rapidly as the fast-moving weaver’s shuttle. Someday the shuttle will be stilled. Don’t be caught with work for the Lord left undone.

Make sure when the cloth of your life is finished that no threads are missing.

The Power of Words

Author: Woodrow Kroll
Source: Lessons on Living from Job
Scripture: Job 4:1-5:27 Psalm 141:3 Job 6:24-27

The Power of Words

Job 6:24–27

"Teach me, and I will hold my tongue; cause me to understand wherein I have erred. How forceful are right words! But what does your arguing prove? Do you intend to reprove my words, and the speeches of a desperate one, which are as wind? Yes, you overwhelm the fatherless, and you undermine your friend."

The Power of Words

In regions of South America there is a snake called the "two-step." If it bites you, you take two steps and die. Its venom swiftly paralyzes your nervous system, which stops your heart. But even if you don’t visit South America, you’re in peril of something else that is just as deadly. Words have the potential to kill relationships, paralyze love, poison minds, destroy faith, stain purity and deface reputations.

Job recognized the capability of words to destroy when he exclaimed to his friends, "How forceful are right words!" After bearing up under the onslaught of Eliphaz the Temanite (Job 4:1–5:27), he was brought to the point of frustration. Instead of helping, his well-meaning companion only served to undermine his friend with his words (v. 27).

It is no small matter when we open our mouths. When our words are right, they can be a powerful force for good. But when they are wrong, they work like a deadly venom. Instead of being helpful, they are destructive. Rather than building up our friends, our words can tear them down. Those who are weak and helpless (Job’s reference to the "fatherless" refers to these kinds of people) can be blown away by what we say.

Be careful today how you speak to others. Consider your words before you say them. Especially in times of crisis, the right word can bring healing and encouragement, while the wrong word can destroy your relationship with another person. Be sensitive to God’s Spirit. Seek His guidance before you express yourself. And ask God to set a guard over your mouth to keep you from saying the wrong thing (Ps. 141:3).

Words are like dynamite; don’t let them blow up in your face.

God's Chastening

Author: Woodrow Kroll
Source: Lessons on Living from Job
Scripture: Hebrews 12:11 Job 5:17

God's Chastening

Job 5:17

"Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects; therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty."

God’s Chastening

Lou Holtz, former head football coach of the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame, is legendary in his adherence to discipline. In an interview with The Saturday Evening Post in 1989, he was quoted as saying, "When it comes to discipline here, we ask three questions: Will it make him a better man? A better student? A better athlete? If the answer is yes, we make him do it. The next step is up to him. An individual has a choice when you discipline him: either to become bitter or better." Judging by his squad’s record, both on and off the field, Lou Holtz’s charges for the most part became better men.

Job’s friends failed to understand God in many ways, but Eliphaz the Temanite was right in this respect. God’s discipline is never meant to destroy but ultimately to bring joy. The word in this verse for "happy" (also translated "blessed") literally means "to walk straight." God’s correction is given to keep His people from wandering away from the straight path and getting into situations that bring pain and heartache. Those who submit to His guidance will avoid many of the experiences that bring unhappiness to others.

God’s discipline doesn’t always feel good, especially if we fight against it. The writer of Hebrews confesses, "Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but grievous" (12:11). Yet the writer continues, "Nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." A right relationship with God ultimately leads to a happiness that makes everything else seem insignificant.

Are you undergoing the chastening of God right now? If so, look ahead to the fruit He will bring out of this difficulty. Remember that God is seeking to correct your course so you can avoid future pitfalls that will bring you even greater pain. Let Him have His way in your life even if, at the moment, it’s hard to bear. You’ll be glad you did!

Pain now means gain later.

Snafu

Author: Woodrow Kroll
Source: Lessons on Living from Job
Scripture: John 16:33 Job 5:6-7 1 Peter 4:12

Snafu

Job 5:6–7

For affliction does not come from the dust, nor does trouble spring from the ground; yet man is born to trouble, as the sparks fly upward.

Snafu

Perhaps you have heard someone talk about a snafu. You probably realized that this meant something had gone wrong, but you may not know how the word became a part of our English language. In reality, snafu is the first letter of each word in the phrase, "Situation normal, all fouled up." In other words, when something goes wrong, why be surprised? It’s only normal for things to get fouled up. A snafu is something that can be expected. It’s just a part of life.

Job’s circumstances, of course, predate the word snafu but not the idea behind it. Job’s friend Eliphaz recognized that "trouble" and "man" have a natural affinity for one another. As sparks from a fire are drawn upward by the rising heat, so trouble seems naturally drawn to man. It reflects another adage of our time: "If something can go wrong, it will." No matter when or where you live, snafus are going to find you.

Christians are sometimes dismayed when things go wrong in their lives. After all, when we trusted Jesus as our Savior, our troubles were supposed to be over, right? Yet the truth is much different. Jesus said, "In the world you will have tribulation" (John 16:33). That’s just a normal part of living. The apostle Peter even said, "Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you" (1 Pet. 4:12). Snafus are not strange or out of the ordinary, even for Christians.

Perhaps you are experiencing a snafu today. Something you planned is fouled up. Don’t be surprised. Instead, turn to God. When your life goes contrary to your expectations, He is able to give you either the wisdom to deal with it or the grace to live with it. Trust Him.

When trouble draws close, draw close to God.

In the Depths of Discouragement

Author: Woodrow Kroll
Source: Lessons on Living from Job
Scripture: Job 3:9-12 John 14:1

In the Depths of Discouragement

Job 3:9–12

"May the stars of its morning be dark; may it look for light, but have none, and not see the dawning of the day; because it did not shut up the doors of my mother’s womb, nor hide sorrow from my eyes. Why did I not die at birth? Why did I not perish when I came from the womb? Why did the knees receive me? Or why the breasts, that I should nurse?"

In the Depths of Discouragement

Some time ago the Hayden Planetarium in New York City issued an invitation to all those interested in applying to join the crew on the first journey to another planet. Eighteen thousand people applied. They gave the applications to a panel of psychologists, who examined them thoroughly and came to this conclusion—in the vast majority of cases, those who applied did so because they were discouraged with their lives here and hoped they could find a new life somewhere else.

Job was mired even deeper in discouragement. He wasn’t simply seeking a new life; he wished he had never been born. After losing his wealth, his health and his family, Job felt it would have been better had he never seen the light of his first day. Before we move too quickly to criticize Job, most of us have to admit we’ve never experienced in a matter of minutes the kind of devastating blows that this man did. Job went from the highest heights to the lowest depths with hardly time to take a breath.

Christians are not immune to disasters and the discouragement that sometimes accompanies them. But as Job was to discover later, we do have an answer—God. The Lord Jesus told His disciples, "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me" (John 14:1). When your heart is filled with discouragement, Jesus can fill it with His peace.

If you are discouraged today, running away and starting a new life is not the answer. Instead, completely place your situation in Christ’s hands. Turn over every troubling thought to His care. And let the peace of God, which surpasses understanding, give you new hope.

Let the God of peace fill you with the peace of God.

The Power of Silence

Author: Woodrow Kroll
Source: Lessons on Living from Job
Scripture: Job 2:11-13

The Power of Silence

Job 2:11, 13

Now when Job’s three friends heard of all this adversity that had come upon him, each one came from his own place—Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. For they had made an appointment together to come and mourn with him, and to comfort him.

So they sat down with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his grief was very great.

The Power of Silence

We are a chatty society. If we’re not on the phone, we’re sending e-mails. Should e-mail not be available, then we dispatch a fax. In fact, we’re so addicted to verbal communication that many people can’t leave home without a cell phone or pager in their pocket. Yet in times of sorrow, often silence says the most.

When Job’s three friends arrived, they could tell that he was in deep grief. But rather than immediately offer their condolences, they sat with him on the ground for a whole week without saying a word. They restrained what must have been a strong urge to offer advice and suggestions and chose instead to express their sympathy by silently bearing his suffering with him.

In the presence of grief, words sometimes are a hindrance. Often we resort to speaking because we’re uncomfortable with the silence rather than because we have something to say. Consequently, when trying to console a friend we often engage in empty clichés. People who have borne deep anguish, however, testify that it is the silent presence of those who care that brings the deepest comfort. It is not their words but their quietly sharing the load of sorrow that helps the bereaved bear up under suffering.

Don’t be in a hurry to speak to those who are grieving. A hug or a squeeze on the arm may bring more comfort than a hundred words. Ask God’s Spirit to make it clear to you when He has prepared your friend’s heart to hear your words. Until then, let your comfort be expressed in silence and in prayer rather than words.

Less talk often means more comfort.

Keeping Your Balance

Author: Woodrow Kroll
Source: Lessons on Living from Job
Scripture: Job 2:10

Keeping Your Balance

Job 2:10

But he said to her, "You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?" In all this Job did not sin with his lips.

Keeping Your Balance

An old Arab proverb says, "All sun and no rain makes a desert." Even nature demonstrates the importance of dark clouds and wet days. Without them, life not only fails to grow but totally dries up and blows away. Nothing but sunshine would make for a barren and uninhabitable landscape.

Job realized this truth applied not only to nature but to human life as well. It would be foolish to think that God should send only those things that appear to be good without balancing them with those experiences that appear to be bad. To accept the one and refuse the other is to question God’s wisdom. As painful as it was to go through the loss of his possessions, his health and, most of all, his children, Job was unwilling to fault God. He knew it was part of God’s balance in life.

If given the option, most of us would probably choose sunshine over rain, ice cream over liver and joy over sadness. Fortunately, God doesn’t always give us a choice when it comes to things that challenge our lives. Both sorrow and gladness often come from sources over which we have no control. We can resist the trials and plead for only the "good" things, but this would be foolish. Without the balance between positives and negatives, our spiritual lives would be like the desert. The alternative is to submit to God and accept what He sends our way as part of His ultimate plan for our good.

You may not find it natural, but give thanks for the painful events that have happened in your life. Recognize them for what they are—a gift from the hand of the God who loves you. Acknowledge the truth that you need the rain as well as the sun to make your life complete. God gives you what is best for you. Trust Him and rejoice.

Without the rain, it’s hard to fully appreciate the sunshine.

Don't Give Up and Don't Give In

Author: Woodrow Kroll
Source: Lessons on Living from Job
Scripture: Job 2:9

Don't Give Up and Don't Give In

Job 2:9

Then his wife said to him, "Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!"

Don’t Give Up and Don’t Give In

Some of Andrew Jackson’s boyhood friends just couldn’t understand how he became a famous general and then the president of the United States. They knew of other men who had greater talent but who never made it as far as Andrew did. One of Jackson’s friends said, "Why, Jim Brown, who lived right down the road from Jackson, was not only smarter but he could throw Andy three times out of four in a wrestling match." Another friend responded, "How did there happen to be a fourth time? Didn’t they usually say three times and out?" "Sure, they were supposed to," the man replied, "but not Andy. He would never admit he was beat. Jim finally would get tired, and on the fourth try, Andy would throw him and be the winner. He just wouldn’t quit."

No one could argue that Job’s life wasn’t filled with severe trials. He not only suffered the physical affliction of painful boils from head to foot but also lost his wealth and children. Then, to add insult to injury, his wife urged him to give up. In her estimation, life wasn’t worth living. It was time to curse God and die. Though Job didn’t understand why he was being afflicted, however, he did know he wasn’t willing to quit.

People are always ready to encourage you to give up. "Life is too difficult," they say. "Life is not fair. It hurts too much." But such advice fails to take into account the omnipotent hand of God. Even though we may not understand why painful and discouraging events happen in our lives, we have the assurance that God has His reasons—good reasons.

Don’t allow anyone to talk you into quitting. Even though your trials may throw you for a loss time after time, you can have the confidence that God is still in control. Don’t quit. Trust Him and keep on going. A day is coming when you’ll be glad you did.

When you give up on yourself, you give up on God.

You Can't Take It with You

Author: Woodrow Kroll
Source: Lessons on Living from Job
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:10 Job 1:21

You Can't Take It with You

Job 1:21

And he said: "Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord."

You Can’t Take It with You

A few years ago, advice columnist Ann Landers printed a supposedly true story of a tightfisted husband who was married to a gracious woman. The wife put up with his tightwad behavior for more than 40 years. At age 60, "Ollie" was stricken with cancer. Toward the end, he made his wife promise, in front of witnesses, that she would place in his coffin all the money he had stashed away so he could buy his way into heaven. She agreed and assured him, as a woman of her word, she would do as he asked. The morning after his death she took the money (about $26,000) and deposited it in the bank. She then wrote a check and put it in the casket four days later. She knew he couldn’t take it with him.

Job, however, never entertained the foolish ideas of the tightfisted husband. He realized that he would leave this world as naked as he entered. He was wise enough to know that he would take nothing away from this world but himself.

What we make of ourselves in terms of character rather than possessions should be our concern as Christians. A godly nature steeped in an understanding of God’s Word and God’s ways is far more valuable than earthly wealth or honors. When we stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ, what we are will be of greater importance than what we had (2 Cor. 5:10).

Begin now to cultivate those things that will not be left behind when your body is placed in the ground. Set aside some time each day to spend in the Bible and prayer. Develop an attitude of compassion and generosity. Allow God’s Spirit to create in you a clean heart and a steadfast spirit. These are riches you can take with you.

You have to leave the world naked, but not destitute.

Rubble Reaction

Author: Woodrow Kroll
Source: Lessons on Living from Job
Scripture: Job 1:14-19 Job 2:7-9 Job 1:20

Rubble Reaction

Job 1:20

Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and worshiped.

Rubble Reaction

A Sunday school teacher was giving an object lesson on reactions. She placed a glass on a small table and carefully filled it to the brim with water. Then she gave the table a slight shake and some of the water sloshed out. "Oh, my," she said, "I spilled some grape juice." A hand shot up. "But that’s water," said a little boy. "That’s right," she replied. "That’s like our reactions. We might want to react a certain way to the things that shake our lives, but only what we’ve put in can come out."

Job’s life was severely shaken. He first lost his wealth and his servants (Job 1:14–17). If that were not enough, he then lost his children (vv. 18–19). He later lost his health (2:7–8) and, finally, even his wife seemed to turn against him (v. 9). This series of blows caused two reactions to spill out of him. One was grief. He tore his robe and shaved his head. But the other was total submission to God. He fell to the ground and worshiped. It was obvious that what filled him most was love for and trust in the God of heaven.

Life is full of events that shake us. What spills out of us depends on what we’ve put in us. If you’ve been prone to harbor grudges and bitterness, you can guess what will gush out—anger and hatred. If you’ve sought to be filled with the Holy Spirit and the things of God, that also will be obvious by your reactions. No matter how you might wish otherwise, only those things that are in you can spill out.

If your life were reduced to a rubble heap and all that you hold dear were gone, how would you respond? Seek now to fill yourself with God’s peace and love so you won’t be ashamed at what comes spilling out of your life in hard times.

What we put in our lives will surely one day come out.

Lion on a Leash

Author: Woodrow
Kroll
Source: Lessons on Living from Job
Scripture: 1
Peter 5:8 Job
1:11-12

Lion on a
Leash

Job 1:11–12

"But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely
curse You to Your face!" So the Lord said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is
in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person." So Satan went out from the
presence of the Lord.

Lion on a Leash

Many cities and even small towns have leash laws. You can’t simply let your
pets run loose; they must be kept on a leash. The logic is obvious. With no
constraints, dogs and cats not only do unsightly things on people’s yards, but
they damage shrubs and flowers, dig holes in unwanted places or make a nuisance
of themselves in other ways.

God also has a leash law, and the primary target of that law is Satan. The
Devil is a powerful enemy and can cause you a great deal of damage. The apostle
Peter compared him to a lion (1 Pet. 5:8). Yet the life of Job demonstrates that
the Devil can only go as far as God’s leash allows him. With God’s permission,
Satan could afflict God’s servant only to a certain extent and no further. Even
though tragic events took place, God’s hand was always on the leash preventing
Satan from destroying Job.

Sometimes when we look at our difficult situations, we become fearful. Our
imagination provides fertile soil for us to grow all kinds of potential problems
and disasters. We fear the worst and are sure that we will be overwhelmed. Yet
God never removes His hand from our enemy’s leash. While we may experience
difficult people and hard times, Satan cannot attack us beyond the limit that
God allows.

Trust your Heavenly Father’s wisdom. Nobody knows better than He does how far
to play out the leash. While Satan may appear as a fearsome lion, he can do no
more in your life than what God allows him. On that you can rely.

You can’t trust the lion, but you can trust God’s leash.

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God's Hedge

Author: Woodrow
Kroll
Source: Lessons on Living from Job
Scripture: Deuteronomy
33:27 Psalm
139:5 1
Chronicles 1:9-10

God's
Hedge

Job 1:9–10

So Satan answered the Lord and said, "Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You
not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on
every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have
increased in the land."

God’s Hedge

Some years ago a group of educators decided to remove the chain-link fence
from around their school’s playground. They believed the fence promoted feelings
of confinement and restraint. But then a curious thing happened. They noticed
that as soon as the fence was removed, the children huddled in the center of the
playground to play. Unknown to the "experts," the children had actually gained a
sense of security from the presence of the fence.

It was this same kind of security that Satan recognized in the life of Job.
Figuratively speaking, God had placed a hedge or fence around Job and all he
possessed to protect him from evil. Job was hemmed in on all sides by this
hedge, but it was not a matter of constraint; it was a matter of security. He
could live confidently, knowing that nothing could reach him without first going
through God’s hedge of protection.

Every believer today can have that same assurance. The Bible provides a first
line of defense. The commandments and exhortations that some people view as
divine restrictions are really God’s protection plans. Their purpose is to
prevent us from engaging in behavior that will hurt us. In addition, even the
omnipotent hands of God are encircling our lives. No disaster or calamity can
touch us without the permissive will of our Heavenly Father. Only those things
that God knows ultimately will prove to be for our good are allowed to penetrate
this divine hedge.

So, do not chafe against the restrictions God puts into your life. They are
hedges for your security. Rejoice that God has His arms underneath you (Deut.
33:27) and His hands behind, before and over you (Ps. 139:5). You are totally
encompassed by His hedge of protection. Inside God’s hedge you are safe!

God’s hedges are built for protection, not imprisonment.

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A Family Man

Author: Woodrow
Kroll
Source: Lessons on Living from Job
Scripture: Job
1:5

A Family
Man

Job 1:5

So it was, when the days of feasting had run their course, that Job would
send and sanctify them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt
offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, "It may be that my
sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts." Thus Job did
regularly.

A Family Man

In her book Formations, Kay Shurden observes that a family is more than a
collection of human beings related by blood. It is more than the sum of its
parts. A family is a living, shaping, powerful unit that teaches us our most
important lessons. It teaches us who we are, how to act, whom we relate to and
what is important in life.

Job was a busy man. He was a man of great wealth and responsibility. But his
first priority, after his personal relationship with God, was his family. He
rose "early in the morning" and brought his children before the Lord. He
demonstrated his love for his family not only by providing for their physical
well-being but also by interceding for them at God’s throne of grace. Job
modeled for his family the importance of a spiritual life and how to maintain
that relationship with the Lord. And he did it on a regular basis.

Our lives are filled with stress and strain. The pressure to provide for the
physical needs of our family is great. Yet to fulfill our complete
responsibility to our loved ones, it is absolutely essential that we model an
outstanding spiritual life as well. Without a role model to point the way, our
children are at risk to falter in their personal walk with the Lord.

Are you providing more than a roof over your family’s head and clothes on
their back? These are vital, of course, but if you take your family
responsibilities seriously, your spiritual responsibilities also will be
important to you. Daily pray for each member of your family. Pay specific
attention to their spiritual needs. Be a spiritual giant in their life. Provide
for their spirit as diligently as you provide for their body.

Filling the soul is no less important than filling the stomach.

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Address Unknown

Author: Woodrow
Kroll
Source: Lessons on Living from Job
Scripture: Job
1:1

Address
Unknown

Job 1:1

There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was
blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil.

Address Unknown

Someone once suggested that when many Christians flee from evil, they leave a
forwarding address. They may not want to be immersed in sin, but they do want to
stay in touch.

Job, on the other hand, was blameless and upright. How could he maintain such
a spotless reputation? Because he did more than fear God; he also shunned evil.
The word translated "shunned" can mean "to rebel" or "to revolt." You could say
that Job found sin revolting. It was certainly not because he couldn’t afford
all the pleasures that lead to sin; Job was one of the wealthiest men of his
time (Job 1:3). Nor did he live in some backwater village. The land of Uz was
highly populated and had several kings or "sheiks" (Jer. 25:20). But Job had an
attitude toward sin that left it no chance to get a toehold in his life. This
man didn’t simply avoid sin; he ran from it. And he gave no opportunity for it
to contact him later.

It’s not enough for Christians to avoid the sins they find attractive but
stay in the vicinity where they can be found. Under those circumstances, you can
be sure that you and your sin ultimately will get back together again. The only
wise solution for those who want to live blameless and upright lives is to
separate themselves far enough from enticing sin that no contact can take
place.

If you’ve put a sin behind you, put everything associated with that sin
behind you as well. If it’s pornography, don’t simply store your magazines out
in the garage. Destroy them. If it’s alcohol, don’t leave a bottle in the house.
Pour it down the drain. If it’s gossip, cut your "grapevine." Don’t attend those
functions that degenerate into gossip sessions. You can do more than just refuse
to participate; you can put some space between you and your temptation.

Flee sin and burn the bridges behind you.

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Finding Life

Author: Woodrow
Kroll
Source: Lessons on Living from Solomon
Scripture: Revelation
22:3-5 1
John 5:12 Proverbs
8:35-36

Finding
Life

Proverbs 8:35–36

"For whoever finds me finds life, and obtains favor from the Lord; but he who
sins against me wrongs his own soul; all those who hate me love
death."

Finding Life

Many people, especially in the field of astronomy, are eagerly seeking signs
of life in outer space. A couple of years ago, NASA scientists shook the world
by announcing that they had found evidence—embedded in a meteor that had fallen
to earth—that primitive life once existed on the planet Mars. After all the
hoopla died down, these findings were called into question. Others who have
studied the data sent back by the Galileo space probe are suggesting the
possibility of life on one of Jupiter’s moons. However flimsy the straw,
scientists seem ready to grasp it as long as it points to the possibility of
life on other planets.

While the possibility of finding life in outer space is intriguing, we don’t
need to look there to find life. Real life is found in the Lord Jesus Christ,
who came to earth so we could know Him. God promises that anyone who comes to
know Jesus in a saving way finds real life—a life of quality as well as
quantity, a life that will experience the joy of being in His presence forever
(Rev. 22:3–5).

Many people today are looking for life. If they aren’t looking for it on
other planets, they are searching for something special on this planet. They
seek it in their pleasures and search for it in unfulfilling relationships.
Quietly, but desperately, they hunt for something that will make their life
worthwhile. Yet all the time God stands ready to provide the very thing they’re
lacking—a life that has meaning for today as well as eternity. All they have to
do is receive Christ as their Savior.

If you are looking for life, look to the Lord. The apostle John wrote, "He
who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have
life" (1 John 5:12). You don’t have to be a scientist to find life. You just
have to know where to look.

Life is found through a relationship with Christ, not a telescope.

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Trust in the Lord

Author: Woodrow
Kroll
Source: Lessons on Living from Solomon
Scripture: John
11:43-44 Matthew
8:3 Psalm
139:4-6 Mark
4:39 Mark
1:30-34 Psalm
2:1-9 Proverbs
3:5-6

Trust in the
Lord

Proverbs 3:5–6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own
understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your
paths.

Trust in the Lord

Everyone should know that human wisdom is very fallible. In spite of that, a
woman in Haifa, Israel, is suing a television weatherman in small claims court
for $1,000 after he predicted sunshine for a day that turned out to be stormy.
The woman claims the forecast caused her to leave home lightly dressed. As a
result, she caught the flu, missed four days’ work, spent $38 on medication and
suffered stress. Whether the legal system agrees with her or not, however, it’s
obvious that she reaped the consequences of trusting in human wisdom.

Solomon believed that no one should rely upon his own understanding. Instead,
he declared, place your trust in God and seek His wisdom in every aspect of
life. The promise God gave through this wise king is that, in return, He will
direct your steps into the right path. God never makes a wrong prediction.

Most things, including the weather, are understood very imperfectly even by
people who have spent many years studying them. At best, we can only make
educated guesses. If those guesses prove true, it’s still usually beyond our
control to change our circumstances. The Lord, on the other hand, possesses all
knowledge (Ps. 139:4-6). Furthermore, He is in control of all things—not only
the weather (Mark 4:39), but illnesses (Matt. 8:3; Mark 1:30-34) and death
itself (John 11:43-44). Every nation of the earth is at His mercy (Ps. 2:1-9).
What He declares will come to pass. You can count on it.

In the Bible you’ll find the wisdom of God. Trust Him to guide you when you
read His Word. Be confident that He will direct your paths as you apply the
Scriptures to your life. Take every opportunity, every difficulty, every issue
that comes up in your life and let God show you His way through His Word.

When you read God’s Word you read God’s mind

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