When You Need Wisdom and Power, Turn to God
By Rick Warren
“True wisdom and real power belong to God; from him we learn how to live, and also what to live for” (Job 12:13 The Message).
The Bible tells the story of Job, a man who loved and served God. But he lost almost everything—his wealth, health, and children—in the span of one day.
Job’s story shows us how to worship even when we’re wounded. Even in the worst times, we can worship God by invoking his wisdom and strength.
Soon after Job had lost it all, he was on the ground in agony, grieving his losses and suffering physically from illness.
Three of Job’s friends showed up and eventually started giving advice. A lot of it wasn’t very helpful, but one friend, Eliphaz, told him, “If I were you, I would call on God and bring my problem before him” (Job 5:8 NCV).
Eliphaz is telling Job to invoke God’s help. What does it mean to “invoke”? It means to appeal to someone greater than yourself for a special act, power, or privilege.
That was good advice. When you’re confused, angry, doubting, and wounded, don’t turn away from God. Instead, turn toward him because he’s the only one who has the power to really comfort you.
Once when Jesus was talking to a crowd, he was telling the people what changes they would have to make in their lives in order to follow him. But they didn’t want any demands on their lives, so they started walking away.
John 6:67-68 says Jesus turned to his disciples and asked, “Do you also want to leave?” One of the men, Peter, said, “Lord, where would we go? You have the words of eternal life” (CEB).
If you turn away from God in pain, where will you go? No one else can help you like he can. So instead of turning away from him, invoke his strength and wisdom.
The Bible says, “True wisdom and real power belong to God; from him we learn how to live, and also what to live for” (Job 12:13 The Message).
Following Jesus doesn’t exempt you from life’s problems. But it does mean God’s wisdom and strength are available to you. Turn to him, and he’ll show you what to do and give you the power to do it.
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This devotional © 2018 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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