Insight for Today
A Daily Devotional by Pastor Chuck Swindoll

Gold in the Making

You and I could name things, specific things we’ve gone through in the last several years, that make no logical sense whatsoever . . . but that’s okay. We can’t figure them out. But let me assure you, God is at work doing His mysterious plan (mysterious to us) which defies human logic. So quit trying to make it humanly logical. Trust Him. When we do, we begin the vital process of thinking biblically . . . thinking theologically.

Do you realize what a peaceful life you can live if you decide to live like this? Do you realize how relaxed you can be, how free of stress? Honestly. It is so helpful for me to remind myself: He is the One who is unfathomable. He is unsearchable. I’m neither. So, how can we understand His ways? Face it, we cannot.

How absolutely arrogant of us to think we could possibly understand the ways of the Almighty! Job, in one of his many moments of struggle with the mysterious will of God, said,

When He acts on the left, I cannot see Him;
He turns on the right, but I cannot see Him. (Job 23:9 NASB)

Sounds to me like Job’s faith is getting a little thin. But then he says,

But He knows the way I take;
When He has put me to the test, I will come out as gold. (23:10 NASB)

Great, great insight! The overarching will of God is not about geography. (Where should I go?) It is not about occupation. (Where should I work?) It is not about exactly what car I should drive. (What color do you prefer?) The overarching, big-picture will of God is not centered in the petty details of everyday life that we worry over. The will of God is primarily and ultimately concerned about our becoming like Christ. And in that sense, the will of God is a test. When He’s tried us, and we have responded in obedience (even though we didn’t understand why), we will come forth as gold.

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