Panoramic Vision

Daily Reading:  Job 38-39

Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? (Job 38.4)

Devotional Thought: Have you ever had anyone come up to you when the work's done and offer suggestions?  "You know you could have..."  When that happens, I feel like saying, "Don't second guess me!  Where were you when I laid out the plans?"  Often, experts are only expert at one thing - failing to see the whole picture!

We have come to the point in the book of Job when God finally speaks out for himself.  Job had tried.  Job's friends each took a turn.  Even Elihu, the young newcomer, had thoughts about how God should run the planet.  To all of them (and us!), God asks, "Where were you when..." 

We ought to listen to what God has to say because he's seen the whole thing:

• In length of time, God has seen so much more than we have.  Recently, I read an obituary of someone who lived to be 104.  "How old that is!" I thought.  "He has seen so much!"  But, how long is that, really?  He basically had electricity all his life, and his years did not reach back to slavery and the Civil War. 

• In breadth of perspective, God sees more than we do.  We are limited to our particular culture.  God, however, sees things from the perspective of the entire human race.  Plus, he has the heavenly perspective, too!

• In depth of insight, God is able to make out the fine, interlocking details of life.  Life is more complicated than 3-D chess, yet God has no trouble keeping it all straight!

So when you think you have life all figured out and it isn't working like you think it should, remember God's question, "Where were you when..."  It will help you trust him more!

Prayer: Lord, I know that you are the Creator and Sustainer of the universe and the Author and Perfecter of our faith.  Help me to place my trust in you even when I can't figure out what's happening.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 125.1-5

1 Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever.

2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people, from this time forth and forevermore.

3 For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest on the land allotted to the righteous, lest the righteous stretch out their hands to do wrong.

4 Do good, O LORD, to those who are good, and to those who are upright in their hearts!

5 But those who turn aside to their crooked ways the LORD will lead away with evildoers! Peace be upon Israel!