-March 14, 2023-
Good morning, happy Tuesday,
“Man who is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble” (Job 14:1).
“And Jacob said to Pharaoh, ‘The days of my pilgrimage are one hundred and thirty years; few and evil have been the days of the years of my life, and they have not attained to the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage’” (Genesis 47:9).
Both Job and Jacob came to a very similar conclusion in life: life is short and difficult. The reason is simple: sin abounds everywhere and it’s results wreak havoc in the lives of God’s people. We look forward to leaving this earthly scene and being transported to our new home in heaven. Though we have good days and bad days, the Lord is with us, helping us, encouraging us, and guiding us. Our attitude toward what happens to us is what is the key. When we are thankful and content, joyful and obedient, we will be truly blessed.
• Days Are Short – Both Job and Jacob agreed that no matter how long we live, life is short, especially compared to eternity. Jacob made the mistake of comparing his days and years to his forefathers. Once we start looking around at what others have experienced and compare ourselves to them, we get into trouble. There will always be people that are richer, fitter, healthier, or better off we are. God wants us to be thankful for what He has given us. Life in Scripture is rightly described as a vapor. James wrote, “Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that’” (James 4:14-15).
• Days are evil, filled with trouble – In Job’s life the trials and bad things that happened to him were out of his control; whereas in the case of Jacob, much of the trouble he had was of his own making through wrong decisions. He was known as a sub planter and schemer. The Angel of Lord wrested with him, and Jacob would not let loose of the Lord until God blessed him. The Lord touched the socket of his hip and put it out of joint. God changed his life as well as his name from Jacob to Israel. For us to be truly happy, must allow God to break our will and give us His will.
Life will always be short and full of trouble. Life for the Israelites in the wilderness was difficult but God provided for them all along the way to the Promised Land. An eleven journey turned to a forty year trudging through the desert. Let us trust the Lord and obey Him. He will guide, chide, and provide. May we thank the Lord for both the quality as well as the quantity of our lives on this earth as our preparation for heaven. Earl Radmacher used to say, “This life is training time for reigning time.“
Have a blessed and thankful day no matter the troubles that come our way as long as we are following the Lord’s way. Stay safe and healthy.
Living the most fulfilling life when filling it full of Christ’s fulness in life,
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 