Pure as Fresh Snow

22“Have you entered the storehouses of the snow,
         Or have you seen the storehouses of the hail,

23Which I have reserved for the time of distress,
         For the day of war and battle?"  Job 38:22-23

Yahweh rightfully asked these questions of Job who for a moment lost perspective of his relationship to the Almighty.
It is easy to do in the midst of adversity and trial.  We may even begin to think that God owes us answers for why things are not going as we'd like.  Guess what?  Sometimes that's they way things turn out!  Our Heavenly Father is not a puppet master, controlling every move and decision we or our fellow humans make.  We were given free will and the choice to either obey or not.  More times than not, our own poor choices cause problems and other times the careless decisions of someone else is to blame.  This is why true religion is based on how we treat others in relationship to ourselves.

"Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world."  James 1:27

I like to think of how clean and fresh, un-driven snow is!  It is so pure and without any spots or contamination.  This is how we should keep ourselves in this world.  All the same look what is listed first: "to visit orphans and widows in their distress."  A lot of  religious emphasis today is on looking good rather than actually doing good!  We can't afford to let that be the case especially if we call ourselves servants of the Most High God and His Son Yahshua.  We may not understand why things turn out the way they do but faith in a God who is able to save to uttermost will keep us grounded in an active faith:

²⁸ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who^[a] have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Job didn't have all the facts before trying to justify his righteousness before God which is why he was given some pertinent things to think about.  No we haven't seen nor do we know of all of God's wonders but we certainly can trust Him to work towards the achievement of His perfect will in our lives.

Follow Me

Luke 9:23, Yahshua says to those who would truly belong to him: "²³ Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me."

What does that mean? Well, first it tells us that we have a personal responsibility to be faithful in our walk with the Savior. He will help us but notice he is saying that we have to take up OUR cross and follow him daily. Sometimes we are erroneously told that becoming a Christian means all of our problems will be solved. Yes, at one time we all enemies of Yah. "Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior." Colossians 1:21

Turning from our former evil deeds and thoughts is part of denying ourselves. Now while leaving things like smoking, drinking and illicit sexual practices can often make life better, it will not absolve all of one's problems. However, no matter what the issue, we can make our Heavenly Father rejoice each day by obeying His Son especially when under trial and temptation. The cross is just that, a torture stake that we gladly bear each day because we are on our way to a sublime destination. The place? God's Kingdom here on earth as co-heirs with Yahshua!