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Job 23:16
16 For God ['el] maketh my heart [leb] soft [rakak], and the Almighty [Shadday] troubleth [bahal] me: KJV-Interlinear
16 'It is God who has made my heart faint, And the Almighty who has dismayed me, NASB
The contrast, in our study of these verses is the power of God verses the power of the world. 'El' is a reference to fearful, terrifying, awesome, beyond comprehension. This is one characteristic of God.
God has many descriptive terms attributed to Him. Terms which describe His attributes and character. 'Shadday' stands for power, omnipotent power. Take up all of the power of the entire universe and pack it into one person and that tremendous power still won't even begin to scratch the surface of the infinite power of God.
When we honestly consider the power of God, and the smallness of our own nature, then we have only one legitimate response, and that is one of weakness, smallness, faint, pale, soft, which all refer to true humility.
When people disregard God, then they tend to become bold, brass, arrogant. They overestimate their own importance and presume that others see just how important they are, too.
Indifference, apathy, antagonism, self-pity and such attitudes, are all characteristics of arrogance. They are the presumption that one does not need God, or perhaps that God is incapable of dealing with our problems.
Even self-righteousness is a function of arrogance in that we presume that God needs our help in solving the world's problems or in straightening other people out. After all, God doesn't seem to be doing anything right away, so shouldn't we get the job done for Him?
However, in contrast, God expects an attitude of humility. That does not means hanging your head down and saying, 'Awe shucks!' Humility is an attitude of respect for the authority and power of God.
Spiritual growth leads to confidence and through confidence you can be vocal and aggressive while still being respectful and non-threatening. If you are a soldier, you do your job and do it well. You kill or capture the enemy. If you are a ball player, you drive and score. If you are in the service industry, you help those whom you serve. Whatever it is that you do in life, you practice, you educate yourself, and you do your job well. You do not have to back away from bullies, or hide in the corner staring at the floor.
David was humble when he faced Goliath. Gideon was humble when he led 300 against many tens of thousands. Jesus was humble when He was falsely accused and beaten.
God created this universe. God set human history into motion. God controls history in its every respect. God created man from the dust, and that is what we are, dust.
It is God who created the distance between Him and us, who knows the details of all of the tomorrows, whereas we do not.
Life is filled with uncertainties as far as we are concerned. Look back at your records from three or four years ago. How much did you pay back then for insurance, for groceries, for electricity, for gas, and how much do you pay now. I'll bet your increase has been much more than the publicized one or two percent.
Government measurements are created by people who have flaws, therefore their statistics are flawed. We are all faced with the growing uncertainties of all of the tomorrows and the bad information of all of the yesterdays.
But, believers who are advancing toward spiritual maturity, have God, and Gods information is flawless and perfect.
We may wonder how we are going to make it next month or next year, but God does not worry about that.
Moses will refer to Jesus Christ, who was in the burning bush, as 'I Am'. The technical term means He who has endless resources, or the infinitely self-sufficient one.
Gods resources are endless. There is nothing that He cannot provide. You, the mature believer, are the apple of His eye, and there is nothing that He will not do for you.
Psa. 17:7-8
7 Wondrously show Thy lovingkindness, O Savior of those who take refuge at Thy right hand From those who rise up against them. 8 Keep me as the apple of the eye; Hide me in the shadow of Thy wings, NASB
Isa. 41:10
10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. KJV
