“Lo this, we have searched it, so it is; hear it, and know thou it for thy good.”– Job 5:27
Adding to the horrible suffering of Job was the fact that he was misunderstood by those who thought they understood — his so-called friends. Our text comes from the closing words of a statement made by Eliphaz. He tells Job that they had observed his situation, investigated the matter, and arrived at a wise conclusion that Job needed to heed. Out of his ignorance, arrogance, or both he declared “so it is” — another way of saying “these are the facts, and we couldn’t be wrong”. He said “so it is” when in reality no it wasn’t. While some of the things he said were true his conclusion as to how they applied to Job were wrong. And he wasn’t the only one to make such a mistake. It happens all the time.

When things happen to others we don’t always know the cause, or the purpose, nor the effect it has on the person. And it’s better that we don’t pretend that we do. One of the most common phrases we hear is “I know how you feel”. The fact is, no you don’t. And it’s important that we understand that. You might go through a similar experience as another person, but we cannot know exactly how the other person feels. The same thing affects us differently.

Empathic people can feel some of the pain another person feels, but they cannot know if it is less or more. And assuming we know exactly can lead to problems. We might mean well, but sincerity doesn’t make everything right. When we say, “I know how you feel” it can be interpreted by the person as meaning that your problems are just as big or bigger than theirs. Making such a statement is not only usually useless it can be harmful. You are shifting the conversation from them to yourself. They might feel as though you are saying, “It’s not that big of a deal– get over it. I did”. Even when we try to put ourselves in the other person’s shoes, we still can’t know that we feel as they do. And not knowing should govern our thoughts and guard our tongue.

We are to be as understanding as we can, but we need to understand that we can’t fully understand. We never have all the facts, nor the same level of tolerance for pain. What seems trivial to you might be torture to another. What appears to be intentional wrong doing might be a mere mistake. What appears to be an excuse might be the truth. So, unless there is solid proof that it is otherwise we should give the other person the benefit of the doubt– go the extra mile, assume the best. It’s true that some people will intentionally deceive you, use you, and mistreat you, but they have to answer to God for that. We should do what we know is right and then leave the matter with the Lord.

This doesn’t mean that we are to be so gullible as to believe everything we’re told. It means that we are to be wise enough to know that it’s possible that they are telling the truth, patient enough to not jump to conclusions, kind enough to not express our opinion, loving enough to not speak evil, and smart enough to not say, “I know how you feel”. There are better ways to express your sorrow and concern. Simply saying, “I am so sorry. I can’t possibly know how you feel, but I love you and I will be praying for you” can do a world of good.–HDS

David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346

” Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth“.- Col. 3:2

It is often the case that amid the normal activities of life and the distraction all around us, that we fail to think about the most glorious things provided by our dear Savior. For whatever reason we often spend no time thinking about heaven until we or a loved one is at the point of death. While we certainly should be thinking of heaven at a time like that, it would do us good to think much about it all the time. As Spurgeon said, ” Whether it is for hope, for joy, for consolation, or for the inspiring of our love– the future must, after all, be the grand object of the eye of faith”. He was right. In that regards we have Abraham for an example–“For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God”. ( Heb. 11:10). We also have these words from the pen of Paul, ” Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth“. ( Col. 3:2). If our affection is there so will our attention be. We ought to do more than sing “I can only imagine”, we should actually remind ourselves that we are pilgrims – this world is not our home. Knowing our home is in heaven we can sing “It will be worth it all”.

This is not just a matter of spiritual entertainment. It can be a matter of survival. To get past the past and through the present it helps to ponder our prospects as a joint- heir with Christ. As we do that we can say with Paul, “to die is gain” ( Phil. 1:21). We can better bear our burdens if we count our blessings. To endure the grief of the grave it helps to think of the glory that awaits. Seeing the big picture gives us courage and comfort. And it is no vain promise that we cling to for this hope, but rather the promises of God who cannot lie. Feelings often betray us. They shout “You have lost all!”, but faith whispers in our ear, ” The best is yet to come”. Indeed it is! As the Psalmist said, “…in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning” ( Psa. 30:5). It’s just a matter of time. – HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346

“…he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?” ( Dan. 4:35)
Any serious discussion of God must include mention of His sovereignty and Divine providence. God is God and He is going to do what He pleases when He pleases. Everything that happens was either planned or permitted by Him. There is no such thing as chance, luck, or accidents. God either causes or allows everything that happens. There is never a second when He isn’t in control. And “He hath done all things well” Mark 7:37). For Christians this is a glorious subject to consider. But it is also a great mystery.

It’s easy to talk about Divine providence when things are as we desire, but many forget about it when things are not going their way. They can’t imagine how God could be involved in something so difficult and painful — especially when it involves someone so good and deserving as they consider themselves to be. The mystery causes them to murmur.

We quote Rom. 8:28 to others when they are going through tough times, but we find it hard to believe when we are plagued by problems. We think, surely we must be an exception, because we reason that nothing good could come out of it. However, some of the best things have come as a result of the worst things. And it’s not our place to judge how God takes care of His business. Protesting providence is dumb and dangerous. God doesn’t make any mistakes. He knows what He is doing and doesn’t need our advice.

So how can we find peace? How can we mourn without murmuring? Is it even possible? The path to peace is submission. Charles Spurgeon said it well–” The best remedy for affliction, is sweet submission to God’s providence. What can’t be cured must be endured… Divine Providence is a downy pillow for an aching head– and a blessed salve for the sharpest pain. He who can feel that his times are in the hand of God need not tremble at anything that is in the hand of man!”

We won’t find peace until we awaken to the fact that our wounds are meant to heal us, or help us in some other way known only to God. We complain because we think things could or should be different, but we don’t see the big picture– God’s eternal purpose. If we did we would rejoice. Were we as wise as God we would be in complete agreement with Him. Since we aren’t we must trust Him, and we have good reason to do so. Let us comfort ourselves with the words of the old song that says, ” Farther along we’ll know all about it. Farther along we’ll understand why” –HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”– Psa. 23:4

Benjamin Vaughan Abbott ( 1830-1860) wrote, “At my father’s house in the country there is a little closet in the chimney corner where are kept the canes and walking-sticks of several generations of our family. In my visits to the old house, when my father and I are going out for a walk, we often go to the cane closet, and pick out our sticks to suit the fancy of the occasion. In this I have frequently been reminded that the, Word of God is a staff.    During the war, when the season of discouragement and impending danger was upon us, the verse, “He shall not be afraid of evil tidings; his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord,” was a staff to walk with many dark days.

   When death took away our child and left us almost heartbroken, I found another staff in the promise that “weeping may endure for the night, but joy cometh in the morning.”

   When in impaired health, I was exiled for a year, not knowing whether I should be permitted to return to my home and work again, I took with me this staff which never failed, “He knoweth the thoughts that he thinketh toward me, thoughts of peace and not of evil.”

   In times of special danger or doubt, when human judgment has seemed to be set at naught, I have found it easy to go forward with this staff, “In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.” And in emergencies, when there has seemed to be no adequate time for deliberation or for action, I have never found that this staff has failed me, “He that believeth shall not make haste.”

Even when our eyes are so filled with tears that we can’t read the Bible and our mind is so clouded with sorrow that we can’t remember what it says, God’s grace is sufficient to sustain us in every situation. As God’s children we are never without the hope of help. His precious promises are sure! – HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346