As God questions Job, we see even this righteous man coming quickly to the end of himself and to the realization of the sovereignty of his God.

Job had lost everything he owned and all his children; he was covered with putrid sores from the top of his head to the sole of his feet; for an extended period of time he felt utterly forsaken by God. Yet, when God does finally speak to him, there is not a hint of apology on God’s part.

Rather, as God pounds Job with one question after another, Job is made to realize this startling truth: although his present pains have not come upon him because of any particular sin on his part (as his friends were suggesting), he did deserve everything that was happening to him and more! It is Job, and not God, who repents in the end.

What brought Job to the recognition of his utter dependence upon the grace of God? It was the reminder that God is the sovereign creator of all things and that everything and everyone receives their strength and life from Him.

No one can demand anything from God, because no one has ever given anything to God that they have not first received from Him. God is indebted to no one, for anything. If we enjoy good health, or prosperity, it is all because God has graciously granted it to us. Everything under the whole heaven is His.

Have you surrendered yourself, like Job, to the sovereignty and mercy of God?

God is good. He is not just partially good, or occasionally good, but He is goodness itself.

As John reminds us, “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5). God’s perfect character does not have even the slightest shade of imperfection or sinfulness about it. He is so good that His own character is the standard by which He will righteously judge the world.

His goodness is not merely an internal attribute, however. God is good and so He does good! When He created the world, he made it “very good” (Genesis 1:31). And even now the sin-cursed earth benefits daily from the sheer goodness of God to send the rain and sun and food that we need.

God is working all things together for good to those who love Him (Romans 8:28), and the sanctifying work He performs in us by His Spirit is “according to his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13).

So, what should our response be, as creatures of such a good God? The psalmist justifiably cries, “Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness!” (Psalm 107:8). Our worship and devotion are the only reasonable response to the purity and goodness of our God.

Not only that, but we should also pray to God, as the psalmist, “Thou art good, and does good; teach me thy statutes” (119:68). If you truly admire the goodness of God, you will wish to learn and emulate His ways in your own life.

We come to the fifth of Christ’s seven sayings from the cross, and the lesson we now learn from him, even in the midst of unspeakable suffering, is this: “submit yourself to the word of God.”

Perhaps the human who suffered most in the Bible, besides (and of course not even approaching) Jesus, was the man Job. Yet Job, after losing his wealth, family, and health, testifies: “My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined…I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food” (Job 23:11-12).

This, clearly, was supremely and perfectly the concern of Jesus, even as he prayed in the garden, “Not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22:42). Again, the gospel of John records this rhetorical question, which Jesus framed for his disciples, “The cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?” (John 18:11).

Is that your spirit? Are you willing to take the cup of God’s Word and drink it completely? Do you trust God’s will enough to utterly surrender yourself to it, or do you pass his commands through a mental cupbearer, testing its contents by the standard of your own reason or understanding?

Jesus, even on the cross, was concerned that the Scripture be fulfilled—perfectly and consciously—in his life. Is that the great concern of your heart?

“If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:1-4).

There are those who hold the idea that there is no real devil, just a spirit of evil.

But the Scriptures confirm there is a devil and here Jesus had a personal encounter with him.

He is referred to as the tempter and Jesus later said he is as liar and the father of it.

Temptation Faced

The devil’s approach on this occasion was very much like that to Eve in the garden of Eden. He sought to raise doubt about God’s Word by asking, “Hath God said?” In this case God had spoken from heaven saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” But when Satan says, “If thou be the Son of God,” he was hoping to entice him to prove he was the Son of God by turning stones into bread. He wanted Jesus to act on his own rather than in subjection to the will of the Father. But as Jesus later said, “My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.”

Jesus’ response to this temptation is to quote Scripture. He says, “It is written,” referring to Deuteronomy 8:3:

“And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live.”

In this reply Jesus reveals his complete confidence in his Father to supply all his needs.

Just as God fed his people in the wilderness by raining down manna from heaven, he was confident the Father would provide for him and so he refused to yield to Satan’s suggestion.

Lessons to Learn

There is a great lesson here for all of us. We sometimes worry about how our needs will be supplied and may be tempted to resort to a plan that does not honor God. But we have a wonderful promise: “My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

The promise does not excuse laziness or neglect of duty but it does mean that we must not be given to worry or some scheme which would compromise our commitment to honor the Lord in every detail of life. Our heavenly Father knows all your needs and Jesus declares that he feeds the fowls of the air and so you can have confidence he will feed you.

We also see here the importance of not just believing God’s Word but using it in our daily life. If Jesus believed using Scripture was the effective way to resist temptation then surely we should follow his example. David wrote, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Psalm 119:11). And Paul writes, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom…” (Colossians 3:16). If we are reading God’s Word, mediating on God’s Word, hiding God’s Word in our heart; it will be of great benefit when temptations come.

Tempted Like Us

It is somewhat difficult for us to grasp the idea of Jesus Christ being tempted. We know that he was God in the flesh. We know that he was a sinless perfect man. So it is hard to comprehend what it meant for him to be tempted. Yet this account, as all of Scripture, is included by divine inspiration and is there for our benefit.

One of the reasons for the inclusion of this event in Jesus’ life is revealed in the book of Hebrews.

“Seeing then that we have great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (4:14-15).

The writer had already given the admonition, “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you and evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God” (3:12). Now once more the admonition is given, “let us hold fast our profession.”

Then follows the encouragement needed to continue on course: we have a great high priest.

He is passed into the heavens and he ever lives to make intercession for us.

Because of our sin and our continual failings we need someone to intercede for us. Jesus Christ is that one-and-only mediator between God and man. He is at the right hand of God and so occupies a position where he can effectively do the work of interceding.

But the word of encouragement doesn’t end there. Although this great high priest is in a high and exalted place, he can be touched with the feeling of our infirmities. In fact he came to earth and was tempted like we are tempted so he is touched with the feelings of our infirmities. This in no way intimates that he thinks lightly of sin or excuses it, but it does say he understands our struggles and will both hear us and help us.

So since we have a great high priest, Jesus the Son of God, who can be touched with the feeling of our infirmity, the writer then says: “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” We are encouraged to come with confidence to the throne of grace — not the bar of justice.

We come to obtain mercy and furthermore to find grace to help in time of need. Grace is needed for every step of the journey. Grace is needed to overcome temptation, and God is ready to provide it.

The writer of the Hebrew epistle puts great emphasis on the temptation of Christ as a means of assuring us we can find the help in him that we so desperately need.

“Wherefore in all things it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted” (Hebrews 2:17-18).

We are reminded our Lord was made like unto his brethren. He became a man. After forty days of fasting in the wilderness he knew what it was to be hungry.

He knew what it was to be tempted. So he is able to help those who are tempted.

When Satan would tempt us to give up the battle and yield to his cunning devices we must remember there is help. We are not on our own, we have available to us the best help possible — Jesus Christ himself.

And when it is necessary to confess our sin, we are encouraged to hear that he is a merciful high priest. He is the one who makes reconciliation for the sins of the people and so he intercedes for us, he pleads our case on the basis of his perfect life and sacrificial death.

Paul gives us here one of the clearest descriptions in Scripture of the last day.

First, the Lord himself descends from heaven. Language could not be plainer. This is not a “spiritual” visitation, or symbolic return—the Lord Jesus Christ himself will return in bodily form, descending from heaven just as he went into heaven.

And not a single one of Jesus’ children will miss his spectacular and victorious descent. The dead in Christ will rise first, followed by every believer who is still living. Together they will fly! They will meet the Lord in the air.

But here is the greatest promise of all: then we will be forever with the Lord. No more separation. No more waiting. This is the consummation of all God has planned for this old sin-cursed world, and every future moment for the people of God will be spent in the presence of God.

This is the magnificent expectation of every believer, to be forever with their Lord. What comfort these words bring to the heart of each one who has long anticipated the personal presence of their Savior!

As Paul therefore exhorts, comfort each other with these words.

The problem with man’s thoughts is that they are corrupted by sin. In Genesis 8:21 God says, “for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth.” Consequently man’s thoughts about God are incorrect.

Some believe he will not punish sin; others believe he is unfair because he does mete out punishment on the ungodly. So whether the subject is sin or salvation, man in his natural condition does not think correctly. God’s thoughts, the truth he has revealed in his Word, can only be understood when the Holy Spirit provides enlightenment.

We also observe that in matters of everyday living God’s ways are higher than man’s ways. The carnal nature seeks revenge, but God says vengeance is mine. Man says, “I am entitled to be angry,” but God says put away anger. Man says, “I am not inclined to forgive,” but God says we are to forgive others even as God has forgiven us.

It should be our desire that every thought be brought into captivity to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).

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Apollos was a preacher who is described by Luke as being “an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures,” as well as “instructed in the way of the Lord” and “fervent in the spirit.”

Doubtless, this was an intimidating man to talk to, much less to teach or correct. And, yet, Aquila and Priscilla were so spiritually mature, knowledgeable of God’s Word, concerned for the kingdom of Christ, and winning in their approach that they were able to take this gifted minister under their wing and into their home and mentor him.

It is worth noticing that it was not Aquila by himself, however, that took an active role in teaching Apollos. Priscilla is described as being just as vitally involved in the effort as her husband.

What an impressive woman this is! Ministering faithfully and effectively alongside her husband, for the glory of God and the benefit of his people. Discreetly counseling a gifted preacher, in the hospitality and privacy of her nurturing home.

Priscilla was not only a help meet for her husband, and a help to Apollos, but the apostle Paul even describes her and Aquila as being “my helpers in Christ Jesus” (Romans 16:3).

God’s kingdom is always in need of godly women, who can powerfully and effectively and graciously and humbly wield the Word of God. So put on the whole armor of God and take your place on the front line of spiritual conflict.

God seems to indicate that when he looks at the heart of David, he is reminded of his own heart.

What does this mean? What does it mean to have a heart after God’s own heart? Is it possible for you to have this kind of heart, or is this concept something only a king like David could understand?

Notice again what God says about David. He says that He has found a man “which shall fulfill all my will.” It doesn’t take a king to understand this message: you demonstrate that your heart is after God’s heart when you do God’s will.

What does it mean to do God’s will? Well, the Bible is full of instruction about how you can do God’s will. God gives you very clear commandments about how to live your life. God tells you what is pleasing to him. When you spend time in God’s Book you will learn how to do God’s will.

This is what David did. Yet, before God describes the actions of David, He refers to David’s heart. No doubt there is a reason for this. Consider what David writes in Psalm 139:23-24: “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

When you see the need for God’s work in your heart, don’t try to hide this from Him! Don’t try to fix it yourself! Take this need to him. He will lead you in the straight and narrow way, the “way everlasting.”

The first thing we see about the dead who are blessed is their position: they are in the Lord. They are in the Lord by choice because he elected them.  They are in the Lord by blood because he redeemed them.  They are in the Lord by calling because he drew them to himself.

Then we see their description: they are called saints and they are described as being obedient. They keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Only those who fit this description can lay hold of the comfort and assurance in the rest of the passage. Are you striving to obey God? Are you a faithful contender for the glory of Jesus?

Finally the text speaks of their rest—all trouble ended, all conflict over—eternal rest with the Lord. It is not a rest following a lifetime of laziness, but a rest after a life of labor in his kingdom. Such labors—do not miss this—follow them, even after they are gone.

Do you want to make a difference, to leave behind you something that matters? Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord, because their lives continue to touch and change and bless people, even long after they are gone.

First, of course, we need a definition for this rather archaic word. Perspicacity refers to one’s “keenness of mental perception” and “understanding, discernment, or penetration.” The biblical doctrine regarding the perspicacity of the reader contends that, although the Bible is a clear window, our own vision is blurred by our sinful nature (1 Corinthians 1:23-24; 2:14; 2 Corinthians 4:3).

Martin Luther helpfully articulated this truth when rebutting Erasmus’ contention that Scripture is unclear and mysterious, that average people could not understand it, and that they therefore should not read it but have a priest read and interpret for them. Luther replied:

God’s Word is perfect — not in need of any change, revision, or alteration at all.

But we are, by nature, wrong in the way we look at God, self, and the world around us.

This doctrine may, at first, sound harsh or accusatory, but is actually merciful and freeing: the solution to the problem is not hidden from us or unreachabley far from us, but can be found through genuine repentance, humility, and hard work (Deuteronomy 30:11-14).


Of course, we must have the Holy Spirit’s assistance, as in every aspect of spiritual life, but Jesus has already promised the Spirit to those who ask! (Luke 11:13).

Therefore, as you read the Bible the question to constantly keep in mind — in light of this doctrine — is this: do you trust God in precisely those places where your natural inclination is strongest against His leadership or direction or commandments? When the Bible clearly spells out His counsel, will you take it regardless of your personal preferences or preconceptions?