May 6

Step 5: We admitted to God, to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.

May 6
Recommended Reading: Job 41, 42

I wonder if you thought yesterday’s devotional about admitting that we question the wisdom of God seemed…out of place in this series? I brought the topic up for two reasons:

1. To remind us that God is the kind of God who doesn’t get insecure or defensive when we approach him in a messy way – he can handle our “stuff” without it becoming all about “Him”. (God’s character empowers Him to meet us where we are without demanding that we conform to who He wants us to become. In God’s ideal plan, we should see this same attitude modeled for us in other humans. If we haven’t, then we are startled by God’s response to Job.) I think this is important to remember so that we focus on being honest with God, not just trying to sound good to Him in a misguided attempt to win His approval. God deeply loves us, we’re not in some sort of contest trying to win His affection. If honesty in relationships has not served you well in the past, I want you to realize how hard step five is going to be for you to complete. It’s not impossible, but it is a challenge. Even now I pray that the Holy Spirit is at work – making you both willing and able!

I want us to get the point that a lot of our wrong doing is related to questioning the wisdom of God. Actually, it’s not so much the fact that we question God’s wisdom as it is that we don’t realize that we are questioning his wisdom. Confusing? Hang with me…how about an example? Job questioned God straight up – and God answered. I suspect that God appreciated the fact that Job didn’t pretend with Him. It could have gone down very differently. Remember back at the beginning of Job’s trials when his wife suggested that Job just get the misery over with and kill himself( Job 2:9)? Job responded by trusting God. He answered his wife by saying that God was in charge, and not Job. Therefore, by implication, the number of Job’s days were God’s business – not his decision. Job could have made a different choice. He could have impaled himself on the nearest steeple or fallen on his sword or thrown himself off the nearest cliff. One who doubts the wisdom of God and isn’t honest about his/her questions often makes choices independent of his beliefs about who God is and how one lives because of that belief (and these choices usually show up in an inventory). A doubting Job, in great physical, emotional and spiritual pain could have committed suicide as a way to avoid his messy life. So it is true that Job eventually questions God, but in his daily life experiences, he doesn’t let his doubt determine his behavior. He deliberately chooses to step in the way that He understands God would have him step – whether he agrees, understands or appreciates the stepping experience or not. Thus, suicide is not an option. So my friends, that’s why I am suggesting that it is far better to acknowledge our questioning of God’s wisdom than ignore our fits of unbelief.

Thought for today: So here’s what I’m thinking. Step five is a lot like Job’s experience. Job tries to make sense of his life, his suffering, and God’s plan for him. After taking a fearless moral inventory (and finding himself blameless – something we won’t probably share with Job – but we know is true because that is how God described Job) Job sits down for a chat with God and others. In his particular case, his “others” aren’t the epitome of great sponsors, but God never disappoints. God brings clarity to Job’s questioning without feeling burdened to explain the reasons behind all Job’s life experiences. Job learns something about himself, God and others. God gives Job further instructions and Job steps as God speaks. And he is restored. Sounds good to me!

Thought for tomorrow: When Job prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes. In fact, the Lord gave him twice as much as before! Then all his brothers, sisters, and former friends came and feasted with him in his home. And they consoled him and comforted him because of all the trials the Lord had brought against him. So the Lord blessed Job in the second half of his life even more than in the beginning. Job lived 140 years after that, living to see four generations o f his children and grandchildren. Then he died, an old man who had lived a long, full life. Job 42, selected verses NLT

Nice outcome for a man willing to do both a fourth and fifth step. What are you waiting for?

May 6
Teresa McBean