Then the LORD spoke to Job out of the storm (Job 40:6)
Some think that the whirlwind ceased while the Lord spoke the words in Job 40:2; which encouraged Job to give the answer he did; but others are of opinion that it continued, and now increased, and was more boisterous than before.
Our opening text shows, among other things how Job was greatly humbled for what God had already said, but not sufficiently. Job was brought low, but not low enough. God herein proceeded to reason with Job in the same manner and to the same purpose as before. (Job 40:6).
NOW, notice what God said to Job from out of the storm:
“Would you discredit my justice? Would you condemn me to justify yourself? Do you have an arm like God’s, and can your voice thunder like his? Then adorn yourself with glory and splendor and clothe yourself in honor and majesty. (Job 40:8-10)
Friend. Its time to believe it. Jesus is there. Right in the center of your storm.
Today. For you. Jesus still speaks peace be still. (Mark 4:39)
This passage from the book of Job teaches us how that the new life of a believer proceeds in the same way of conviction, humbling, and watchfulness against remaining sin, as did Job do here. And likewise, today when convinced of many shortcomings in our conduct, we still need convincing of many more.
Friend, have you received The Holy Spirit since you first believed? (Acts 19:2)
Your unexpected storm has not caught Jesus by surprise. Jesus will carry you. (Isa 46:4) He will never leave you nor forsake you. (Heb 13:5) Jesus is watching over you. Jesus will bring you through. The Garden. The jail. The hammer. The nail. The long night. And then the morning. Jesus is not here. He is risen. (Mat 1:21)
And you will rise again too as His adopted child. (2 Pet 3:18. John 1:12)
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. (1 Pet 3:18)
The true light that gives light to everyone has come into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right and the power to become children of God (John 1:9-12)
All who welcome Jesus Christ as both Savior and Lord of their lives are reborn spiritually. (John 3:3) Receiving new life from God. Through faith in Christ, this new birth changes us from the inside out rearranging our attitudes, desires, and motives. Being born makes you physically alive and places you in your parents’ family (John 1:13). Being born of God makes you spiritually alive and puts you in God’s family (John 1:12).
Jesus will take care of you. No matter how horrible you think you are. Jesus will take your case. Jesus knows that your broken heart just needs love. When you give your heart to Jesus, you are literally a new creation. (2 Cor 5:17).
The Holy Educating Spirit of God gives you in verity, a wonderful new life. You will never be the same again. (Eph 2:10) A true Christian is not just reformed, rehabilitated, or re-educated. They are re-created (new creations), living in vital union with Christ (Col 2:6-7).
You accepted Christ Jesus as Lord, so continue to live following him. You must depend on Christ only, drawing life and strength from him. Just as you were taught the truth, continue to grow stronger in your understanding of it. And never stop giving thanks to God. (Col 2:6-7)
At conversion we do not merely turn over a new leaf; we begin a new life under a new Master. Under a Higher Authority.
The old nature, born of blood and the will of the flesh, cannot inherit the kingdom of God. The old ways, the hereditary tendencies, the former habits, must be given up. Grace is not inherited. The new birth consists in having new motives, new tastes, new tendencies. Those who are begotten unto a new life by the Holy Spirit, have become partakers of the divine nature. In all their habits and practices, they will give evidence of their relationship to Christ.
When people who claim to be Christians retain all their natural defects of character and disposition, in what does their position differ from that of the non-believer? They do not appreciate the truth as a Sanctifier, a refiner.
They have not been born again.
now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. (Eph 2:13, NIV)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (2 Cor 5:17)
Receiving Christ as Lord of your life is the beginning of life with Christ. But you must continue to follow his leadership by being rooted, built up, and strengthened in the faith. Christ wants to guide you and help you with your daily problems. You can live for Christ by
(1) committing your life and submitting your will to him
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Rom 12:1-2).
(2) seeking to learn from him, his life, and his teachings
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. (Col 3:15-16).
(3) recognizing the Holy Spirit’s power in you
You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8.
the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Gal 5:22-23).
Have you asked Christ to make you a new person?
Maybe you are already a Christian and your walk with God has gone stale? You don’t feel connected to His heart of infinite love?
Have you received the Holy Spirit since you first believed? (Acts 19:2)
Let the prayer ascend from contrite hearts, “Behold, you desire truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide thy face from my sins and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.” [Psalm 51:6-13.] {CE 230.3}
What a prayer is this! How evident it is that sinners in the household are not to be treated with indifference, but that the Lord looks upon them as the purchase of his blood. (Eph 2:13)
John’s baptism was a sign of repentance from sin only, not really a sign of new life in Christ. Like Job, or Apollos (Job 40:1-9 Acts 18:24-26), many believers today still need further instruction about the message and ministry of Jesus Christ. They believe in Jesus as the Messiah, but so many of us do not understand the significance of the work of the God’s Holy Educating Spirit. For so many of us, our walk with God has grown cold.
God’s holy, educating Spirit is in His word. A light, a new and precious light, shines forth from every page. Truth is there revealed, and words and sentences are made bright and appropriate for the occasion, as the voice of God speaking to the soul. {COL 132.2}
In his last moments with his disciples, Jesus
(1) warned them about further persecution
(2) told them where, when, and why he was going
(3) assured them that they would not be left alone, but that the Spirit would come.
Jesus knew what lay ahead, Jesus did not want the disciples’ faith shaken or destroyed.
The Spirit produces these character traits that are found in Christ. They are the by-products of Christ’s control—we can’t obtain them by trying to get them without his help. If we want the fruit of the Spirit to grow in us, we must join our life to his Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (see John 15:4-5).
We must know him, love him, remember him, and imitate him. As a result, we will fulfill the intended purpose of the law—to love God and our neighbors.
Which of these qualities do you want the Spirit to produce in you?
Friends, God wants you to know you are not alone. You have the Holy Spirit to comfort you, teach you truth, and help you.
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. (John 16:13-14)
God’s holy, educating Spirit is in His word. A light, a new and precious light, shines forth from every page. Truth is there revealed, and words and sentences are made bright and appropriate for the occasion, as the voice of God speaking to the soul. {COL 132.2}
The greatest wisdom, and most essential, is the knowledge of God. (John 17:3) Self sinks into insignificance as it contemplates God and Jesus Christ whom He hath sent. The Bible must be made the foundation for all study. Individually we must learn from this lesson-book that which God has given us, the condition of the salvation of our souls; for it is the only book that tells us what we must do to be saved. Becoming a Christian involves turning from sin (repentance) and turning to Christ (faith).
This fresh start in life is available to all who believe in Christ. And it can come right out of whatever dark cloud you are in now.
As He spoke the words of promise, the dark cloud that seemed to enshroud the cross was pierced by a bright and living light. To the penitent thief came the perfect peace of acceptance with God. Christ in His humiliation was glorified. He who in all other eyes appeared to be conquered was a Conqueror. He was acknowledged as the Sin Bearer. Men may exercise power over His human body. They may pierce the holy temples with the crown of thorns. They may strip from Him His raiment, and quarrel over its division. But they cannot rob Him of His power to forgive sins. In dying He bears testimony to His own divinity and to the glory of the Father. His ear is not heavy that it cannot hear, neither His arm shortened that it cannot save. It is His royal right to save unto the uttermost all who come unto God by Him. {DA 751.2}