Life, including pain and heartache, happens to us all, but if we don’t know the essential character of God, we will be tempted to blame Him and run away, instead of running to God when we need Him the most. See why it’s so important to run to God.

Also, read about “the rod of correction” in parenting and one of the most freeing verses in the Bible.

Welcome to “God’s Word Day by Day,” where I blog through the Bible in a Year. I hope you’ll join me every day. If you’re not already signed up, you can do it here or subscribe and watch on YouTube.

Today’s Readings:

Job 3 & 4
Psalm 91.14-16
Proverbs 22.15
Romans 8.1-21

Why Run to God When You Want to Run Away?

Job 3 & 4:

The Essential Character of God

In chapter 3 Job poured out his grief in very descriptive terms. He had just lost all 10 of his children. His grief was real and powerful. He wished he had never been born.

While today we might not tear our clothes and put dust on our heads, those who are grieving may express their deep sorrow through tears, wringing of the hands, crying out to God, etc. Strong emotions and outward manifestations of grief are not wrong but must be kept in their proper place, amount, and duration. They cannot be allowed to overtake our lives.

Remember what Job’s first response was after the initial shock and physical reaction in Job 1:

21 And he said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.”22 In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.

“Blessed be the name of the Lord.”

“In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.”

Though he didn’t understand the “why,” Job knew the essential character of God. If you’re struggling to understand or accept God’s circumstances in your life, don’t run from God; run to Him. Get to know Him better. Learn about His attributes—beginning with His goodness, His mercy, and His holiness. Knowing Him will enable you to trust Him even when life doesn’t make sense.

[Tweet “When trouble comes, don’t run from God; run to Him. #God #soulsurvival”]

Today’s Other Readings:

Psalm 91.14-16:

Those Who Abide Under the Shadow of the Almighty

Verse 14 begins with God saying, “Because he has set his love upon Me …” MacArthur defines that word love as “‘a deep longing’ for God or a ‘clinging’ to God.”

Is that you? Do you long for God, long to know Him? Do you cling to Him in times of trouble, doubt, and fear? God isn’t looking for strong, independent people, He’s looking for those who will be dependent upon Him—who will “abide under the shadow of the Almighty” (Ps. 91.1).

For more on the subject of trusting in and depending on God, you might want to read yesterday’s post.

[Tweet “Do you long for God, long to know Him? Do you cling to Him in times of trouble, doubt, and fear? #God #trials #tests #soulsurvival”] [Tweet “God isn’t looking for strong, independent people, He’s looking for those who will be dependent upon Him—who will “abide under the shadow of the Almighty” (Ps. 91.1). #God #faith #soulsurvival”]

Proverbs 22.15:

The Rod of Correction

Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of correction will drive it far from him.

This is an area where Satan has twisted a great deal of God’s truth to keep us from faithfully trusting in this principle. We have all heard the secular wisdom which says, “If you spank a child he’ll just become more angry and violent.” That sounds perfectly reasonable. I’ve had people say, “If I spank him for hitting his sister, isn’t he just going to think, it’s OK to hit?”

It is true if a child is beaten or abused in some way, there is a good chance he will become angry and bitter and take it out on others. God is not condoning child abuse or even spanking a child in anger. But discipline, including spanking, done in a spirit of gentleness and humility, along with proper instruction in God’s Word and prayer is a biblical command. Our responsibility is to obey God with the proper heart attitude and trust Him to bring about the results.

Hebrews 12.9 says that we respect earthy parents who properly discipline us. Children understand that loving discipline means their parents care about them, though they may not like it at the time.

For more on this subject, Ginger Hubbard’s book, Don’t Make Me Count to Three is a great resource for those with young children. I recently reread her book and shared its principles with a group of young moms. I was reminded of what a good job Ginger does of helping us understand the heart issues involved in parenting, the right way to discipline, and when the rod is appropriate and when not. She also talks about pointing your children to Christ and how to prepare their hearts for the gospel. If your children are a little older, Shepherding a Child’s Heart by Tedd Tripp is a classic. A newer book that I have not read but have heard lots of good things about is Parenting by Paul Tripp.

[Tweet “Has Satan twisted the truth about spanking and loving discipline? #parenting #soulsurvival”]

Romans 8.1-21:

No Condemnation

Chapter 8 starts with this powerful, encouraging, freeing verse:

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

No condemnation! What did Jesus say to the woman taken in adultery, “… neither do I condemn you” (Jn. 8.11). To those of us who have received Christ as our Savior, we have been released from both the guilt and the punishment due us because of our sin! And that is good news!

[Tweet “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. #salvation #condemnation #soulsurvival”]

Coming Up:

In the coming days, we’ll talk about the basis for biblical hope, eternal security, the connection between suffering and sin, look at contagious sins, and talk about how to respond when life is hard and confusing, among other things.

I hope you’ll sign up so you don’t miss any of them. You might also like to check out the latest videos on our YouTube channel.

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Blessings as you grow in Christ,
Donna ♥