Bible Thoughts April 8, 2001
"Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?"(Psalm
38:4).
In the above passage, God is speaking to Job but referring to Elihu. Elihu had rebuked Job in anger and Elihu claimed to speak for God. Elihu did not understand why Job was suffering, to the point of even questioning the integrity of God. Hence, the Lord challenges Elihu by asking him where he was when the Lord "laid the foundation of the earth."
Man did not exist when the Lord created the heavens and the earth. Man had nothing to do with bringing our world into existence. All of the physical creation was the result of the power and might of God. Man cannot, in himself, create anything. He modifies what already exists. Man's intelligence gives him the power to invent(discover) many great and worthwhile projects, but he must depend on the wisdom of the past to do so. Man invents from what already exists; God creates by merely speaking the world and all things physical into existence.
Those who advocate there is no God and that mankind is the product of organic evolution are dead wrong. They were not present when the Lord spoke the physical earth into existence. Man was not present when God created the vegetable and animal kingdom. Mankind was the final physical creation. All exist and function by the power of God. Man discovers; God creates.
Do not be fooled by the wisdom of men. Their speculations often contradict the plain teachings of the Word of God. Even the physical earth, with all of its wonders, indicate that back of it all is a divine being, capable of creating, building, and maintaining everything physical. Also, the theories of men change frequently and often contradict previously held ideas. The revealed truths of Genesis one and two remain the same generation after generation because they contain the divine record of creation.
God would challenge those "friends" of Job by asking who measured
the earth when God created it or "who enclosed the sea?" No
man was present, for man did not exist at that point. Men are not
wise enough to explain, from their own human knowledge, how the world
came into existence. Christians know who made the earth and all
things therein. Jehovah did it!
“Righteous are you, oh Lord, when I plead with you; Yet let me
talk with you about your judgments. Why does the way of the wicked
prosper? Why are those so happy who deal treacherously?"(Jeremiah
12:1.)
We live in a world where it seems that the wicked are the ones who
prosper and God's children are the ones who suffer. And how often
does it happen that we wish it were the other way around, where God's
children get rewarded for doing good and the people of this world get
punished for doing evil. This is the way that our law system works
does it not? Have you ever wondered why that it is the way that it
is? When you are faced with hardships and you overcome it, does it
not strengthen you? When you have nothing, does it not make you rely
on God more, and if not why not? The people of this world prosper
here on this earth but it will only last as long as this earth. Is
this what you want, what you wish for, or do you want to prosper in
heaven with God, for ever? God knows what he is doing: don’t
complain for what you don’t have, rejoice for what you got.-Vaughn Botha
"Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to
you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their
faith"(Hebrews 13:7).
"Remember your leaders..." This command echoes throughout all of time. All throughout the ages man has had problems recognizing leadership. Do we know who our leaders are? Do we recognize authority when it presents itself? Do we submit to it as we should?
We live in a society which is prone to reject, rather than embrace, its leadership. It may be rebellion against hypocritical and abusive leadership which has scarred our communities into an almost complete lack of respect for authority across all boards. Or, more simply, it may be that man today is the same as he has been since the beginning of creation and he just simply refuses to obey all of the time.
"Consider the outcome of their way of life…" Good leaders practice what they preach. They are examples for us and through watching them put their faith to the test we can learn the effects of their efforts. We have a responsibility to look to our leaders and to learn from them in their word as well as in their deed.
Leaders also must consider their own actions. As a leader there is an added responsibility that you are being looked to for guidance and are having your actions watched. What type of example are you lending to others? Are you walking the same path that you are guiding others upon?
"Imitate their faith…" Following this leadership is the
next logical step and implication of this verse. The recognition of
authority is useless to oneself unless they put it into practice in
their own life. God tells his servants, let me help guide you through
your leaders. As they follow Me, He says, you must follow them.-Joe Cook
Jesus Christ is "to the astronomer...the bright and morning
star"(Revelation 22:16); to the professor, He is the "Alpha and
Omega'(Revelation 1:8); to the psychologist, the one who knows the
heart and mind of man; to the traveler, the way(John 14:6); to error,
the truth(John 14:6); to darkness, the light(John 8:12); to the
husbandman, the true vine(John 15:1); to the shepherd, the door of
the sheepfold and the good shepherd(John 10:9-10); to the sick, the
great physician; to the thirsty, the water of life; to the student,
the master teacher; to the criminal, the just judge; to the soldier,
the Captain(Hebrews 2:10); to the dead, the resurrection and the
life(John 11:25); and to the LOST, the SAVIOUR.-James P. Needham
Short Quotes
"You can easily determine the caliber of a man by ascertaining the amount of opposition it takes to discourage him."
"The one thing worse than a quitter is the man who is afraid to begin."
"Fashion has lifted a considerable burden off the clothesline."