Scripture

Ecclesiastes 7:13; 8:16-17 (NLT)

Accept the way God does things, for who can straighten what he has made crooked?

In my search for wisdom and in my observation of people’s burdens here on earth, I discovered that there is ceaseless activity, day and night. I realized that no one can discover everything God is doing under the sun. Not even the wisest people discover everything, no matter what they claim.

Consider

The above passage uncovers two important attributes of God:

• God is omnipotent—all-powerful, almighty, inexhaustible, unshakable, impervious to threats or attacks from the enemy.
• God is omniscient—all-seeing and all-knowing, equipped with complete awareness of past, present, and future events, with deep and perfect understanding of all things visible and hidden.

An obvious application of these truths is that while God is God, we are not. We do not have complete power or complete knowledge, although we sometimes like to think we do.

For example, when I judge someone’s behavior, I act as though I have complete understanding of this person and the situation. But the truth is, I cannot see all the factors that have contributed to this one particular event. Neither can I look into this other person’s mind and heart and know what prompted the behavior. I cannot even fathom my own heart enough to explain why I feel provoked into anger or hurt or disappointment.

My best course in a disagreeable circumstance, therefore, is to trust in God, who can see and know all, and who does have the power to work in someone’s troubled heart, to bring good from a hurtful situation, and to protect me from self-inflicted harm.

Trusting God means following God’s ways when my desires may point me toward a different course. Instead of responding in kind to rude or hurtful behavior, I can choose to be kind and patient because the God I trust has determined such behavior to be wise and fruitful. I can forgive when I would rather punish because I know the cleansing freedom of God’s forgiveness. Instead of appointing myself as judge over another person, I can trust that God will use his omnipotence and omniscience to correct and heal and bring blessing in ways my limited vision cannot yet see.

Pray

FATHER, you are almighty God above all, in all, and through all. I am ashamed to admit how often I have tried to take your place and rule over others as if I were a worthy judge. Forgive my arrogance and teach me how to be a worthy child of yours instead. Lay low my pride and fill me with the wisdom of your Spirit.

Reflect

Matthew 7:1; James 4:12

Ponder

Why are we so quick to judge others? How does it feel to be judged unfairly?