“And to man He said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding”
– Job 28:28
In today’s society, we praise people for their entrepreneurial spirit and commend those who take risks for success. We applaud those who make it and buy their books to see how it was accomplished. We even apply their wisdom to our lives, and it works many times. We see how it worked for them and are willing to do the same as they did, hoping for the same results. Although materially beneficial, trust in these processes sometimes detracts from faith and trust in God.
Job was a successful man, and in a portion of his discourse, he shares how, as human beings, we have a lot of knowledge and know how to apply it when it comes to the things that interest us. He even shares how creative we can be when searching for earthly treasures and how we are adventurous when seeking riches. He says we will take significant risks and go places with “darkness and shadow of death.” We go places that are “forgotten by feet” and paths that “no bird knows, nor has the falcon’s eye seen it. The proud lions have not trodden it, nor has the fierce lion passed over it” (Job 28:3-8). Yet, when it comes to the things of the Lord, we are rarely as adventurous.
The wisdom and knowledge of God are not difficult to find; it is just that many times, our heads are buried deep in the earth, looking for man’s treasures, wisdom, and knowledge. As a result, we miss what is right in front of us. Our faith becomes hindered because we look for others’ recipes for success. We look at the temporal and physical rather than the eternal and spiritual. What if God is doing something different with you? What if He wants to do something on your behalf, yet your trust is in an earthly process? It could be that God wants to do a new thing through you. Trust Him and see how truly successful you will be!
“Dependence upon God is the flowing fountain of success.”
– C. H. Spurgeon
surrendered devotions 