UNDERSTANDING JOB

Having just completed reading the book of Job, I am once again deeply impressed with this ancient man’s testimony.           

There are only seven main characters in his report:

   o   Job [his wife plays a minor role]

o   God

o   Satan

Distant living friends of Job:

o  
Eliphaz from Teman  

o  
Bildad from Shuhah             

o   Zophar from Naamath

o   Elihu – Job’s angry younger friend

The key to understanding this narrative that probably took place around the time of Abram [in Genesis], is recognizing that Job was a righteous man who loved and served God so thoroughly that God bragged about Job when Satan showed up one day in Heaven’s court. 

This set in motion Satan’s abuse of this man and the terrible things that occurred in quick succession to thoroughly upset his life!

I suggest that understanding this book is dependent on realizing two key points:

FIRST, it is essential to observe that at the end of chapter two, it is clearly declared that “Not once through all of this did Job sin. He said nothing against God.” [2:10]  All quotes from ™ unless otherwise noted.

SECOND, Job was confused because he KNEW that he had not sinned. In his confusion and having faced phenomenal loss, he became depressed! But depression is NOT a sin!

For the next thirty-five chapters, Job’s four friends [named above] confront him essentially with the same argument: that Job had either willfully or negligently sinned and was therefore experiencing the corrective wrath of God! 

HOWEVER, we know this cannot be true! [See the box above!]

Finally, in chapters 38-41, God confronts Job gently but directly! God craftfully explains His sovereignty and rulership over all of creation!

In the midst of this God-monologue, He turns to Job and says:

“Now what do you have to say for yourself?

Are you going to haul me, the Mighty One, into court and press charges?”

To which Job immediately answered:

“I’m speechless, in awe – words fail me.

I should never have opened my mouth!

I’ve talked too much, way too much.

I’m ready to shut up and listen.”

God then continues to make it clear to Job that He – and He alone runs this universe! ^{[see 41:11]}  In doing so, God references the awesomeness of His creation!

The final chapter reveals Job’s response to God:

“I’m convinced: You can do anything and everything.

Nothing and no one can upset Your plans.” [42:1]

Surprisingly, God then turns to Job’s friends and scolds them for their random babblings. He instructs them to go to Job for reconciliation so that they can be spiritually restored!  They did so!

Then God restored Job’s fortune – and doubled it!

I personally feel that these final verses of Job’s restoration are frequently exaggerated!  I will admit that there it can be cited as an example of God restoring what Satan has taken away from us. But to make this the major truth of the book is a travesty!

There is a final footnote that intrigues and delights me.  The author – who is unnamed – seems to want us to know in the final verses that Job had ten more children to match those he had lost earlier: seven sons and three daughters. But more important, we learn that Job treated his daughters as equal heirs with their brothers – providing the same inheritance. [42:15]  This stands in stark contrast to the limits placed on women as equals in many of our churches today! 

GOD ALWAYS HAS A PLAN!

This is a good thing to remember – especially when things aren’t going so well.  All of us need to be reminded of this from time to time.

I just finished reading some of the chapters from Genesis that give Joseph’s story. Let’s review some facts to bring you up to speed:

·         Joseph [although the eleventh-born of four wives] is one of two sons born to Jacob from his true love – Rachel.

·         Genesis 37:3-4 [All quotes from TM unless otherwise noted]

Israel [Jacob] loved Joseph more than any of his other sons [twelve sons from four women] because he was the child of his old age. And he made him an elaborately embroidered coat. When his brothers realized that their father loved him more than them, they grew to hate him...

·         Israel used Joseph to check up on his brothers as they grazed their father’s flocks. According to 37:2,4, Joseph brought his father bad reports on them…they wouldn’t even speak to him.

·         On one of his visits to them in the fields, they threw him into a pit and then later sold him as a slave to a group of travelling Ishmaelites heading for Egypt. They stained his coat with blood and reported that he had been eaten by a wild animal. Of course this caused Israel to go into prolonged mourning over the loss of his precious son.

·         Upon arriving in Egypt, Joseph was purchased by Potifar – the captain of the Pharaoh’s bodyguards.  Because God was with him, Potiphar’s house prospered greatly!

Now this is a good point to remember a teaching that Jesus gave in Romans 8:28-29 

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God,

to those who are called according to His purpose.  [NASB}

·         Potiphar’s wife takes a liking to Joseph and invites him to respond to her sexually. He refuses to do so and ultimately runs from her – leaving his coat in her hands. She entrapped him and Potiphar believed her lie and sent Joseph into prison.

·         39:21,22 reports:

But there in jail GOD was still with Joseph…The head jailer put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners – he ended up managing the whole operation. 

·         Two prisoners have dreams that only Joseph can interpret. Joseph tells the Pharoah’s cupbearer that the meaning of his dream means that he will return to his former position. However, he interprets the head baker’s dream to mean that he will be beheaded. Within a few days both dreams are fulfilled just as Joseph had predicted. But the cupbearer never mentioned Joseph’s role to the Pharaoh.

·         Two years later the Pharaoh had a dream and his advisors couldn’t interpret it for him. The cupbearer remembered and mentioned Joseph! He was immediately brought before Pharaoh to hear and interpret his dreams. The meaning was clear to Joseph: Egypt would enjoy seven years of great prosperity followed by seven very lean years. He counseled Pharaoh to:

Look for a wise and experienced man and put him in charge of the country. Then Pharaoh needs to appoint managers throughout the country of Egypt to organize it during the years of plenty.  [41:33-34]

·         Pharaoh gives Joseph his signet ring and makes him a ruler in Egypt – second only to Pharaoh himself! Joseph organizes the country to prepare for the seven bountiful years – followed by the seven years of famine!

·         Eight years later, the famine begins to be felt in neighboring lands as well as Egypt! Jacob [Israel] sends ten of his sons to Egypt to purchase grain [he keeps his beloved, youngest – Benjamin – at home with him.]

·         When the ten sons of Israel [Jacob] arrive in Egypt, they are greeted by Joseph – who immediately recognizes them. Joseph puts Simeon in prison and sends the brothers home with instructions to come back bringing their youngest brother with them next time. Meanwhile, Joseph fills their sacks with grain and secretly puts the money back into the sacks with the grain.

·         The brothers are shocked when they find the money in the sacks of feed. They report to their father – Israel [Jacob] – all the details of their journey; including the fact that Simeon is in an Egyptian prison. Israel is crushed to think of sending Benjamin to Egypt; he fears that he will lose another son by doing so.

·         Eventually, the brothers are forced to return to Egypt to purchase more grain. Judah argues persuasively and convinces Israel to allow them to take Benjamin with them. Israel sends a double payment, balm and honey, spices and perfumes, pistachios and almonds with them as a gift from their area to this ruler in Egypt [not knowing that this ruler is Joseph – who Isaac thinks is dead]! He also prays over them before they head for Egypt!

·         When they arrive and Joseph sees that they have indeed brought Benjamin, he orders his servants to prepare a feast for all of them.  The brothers were terrified to be ushered into Joseph’s home; they are confident that they’re going to be turned into slaves. Simeon was brought from jail to join them! Joseph welcomed them and inquired as to the health of their father. As Joseph greeted Benjamin he was overwhelmed and ran from the room weeping! They feasted with Joseph facing all of them.

·         The next day they were sent on their way. Joseph instructed his servants to put their money back into their bags again. He also had them place his personal chalice in Benjamin’s bag. After they had left, Joseph had them pursued and accused them of stealing his chalice. It was found in Benjamin’s bag! They were forced to go back to the city. Arriving, they bowed down before Joseph! Judah spoke of their innocence and pleaded for Benjamin to return to his father! He volunteered to stay in Benjamin’s place out of mercy for their father.

·         Finally, Joseph breaks down and reveals himself to his brothers!

They were speechless – they couldn’t believe what they were hearing and seeing. [45:3]

·         After explaining his story to his brothers, he sent them to get their father and bring him to Egypt where Joseph could care for the entire family!

If you’ve read this far then you have shown patience and endurance. It is a long story with many twists and turns. 

Joseph has endured:

o   mistreatment by his older brothers

o   being the subject of envy

o   being misunderstood as a dreamer

o   being betrayed by ten of his brothers and sold into slavery

o   being carried far away to a foreign country

o   being falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife

o   being abruptly and unjustly thrown into jail

o   being forgotten by the cupbearer who could have helped him

o   being cut off from his beloved father and brother – Benjamin – for many hopeless years

But he had personally come to learn that GOD ALWAYS HAS A PLAN! And no human action can thwart God’s plan. It may take years to unfold, but if you remain faithful to God, He will work out His plan and restore your peace!

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How about you?

Do you believe that God always has a plan?

Are you staying faithful to God even though things are going poorly?

- even though you’ve been betrayed by family or friends?

- even though you’ve lost your job?

- even though you’ve been separated from your family?

- even though you’ve been completely isolated and cut off?

- even though you've lost everything/everyone who meant anything to you? 

Could it be that God has a bigger purpose for your life that simply takes time for Him to orchestrate?

Do you believe that God always has a plan?

Are you willing to endure hardship and delays in order to see His glorious ending?

We ALL pass through deep waters and desperate, hopeless times!

Are you determined to stay faithful to God through your tough times?

Joseph persisted  -  and God honored him immeasurably!

God doesn’t love Joseph any more than He loves you!

WHY DIDN'T YOU STOP THIS, GOD?

Like many this morning, I'm in utter shock at the assassination of Charlie Kirk yesterday. Such a brilliant mind, capable leader, confident Christian and competent apologist!  Clearly he was already a major influencer through his Turning Point USA organization! This husband and father of two's voice was going to be heard and his impact was sure to make a difference - until yesterday afternoon.

Interestingly, yesterday I wrote a Facebook post titled: "Can Good Come Out of Bad?" And yet this morning I find myself asking God: "Why didn't You stop this?" 

I doubt that I'm alone in the query.

As a pastor, I've spent an adult lifetime answering questions about God and His action or inaction.  I've studied the Bible for answers and been trained by my counseling degree how to guide people in the throes of pain and loss. But this morning, I feel the pain of the loss of a good, good man in the prime of his life who was clearly destined for a great role in our country. His senseless death leaves me sad, angry, and feeling hopeless. The condition of our country feels irreparable!

Over the years, I have prayed regularly that the Lord would help me to never be responsible for taking the life of another person. I have also prayed this prayer over my wife and children!  

Obviously, I've known people who have faced this peril. I've prayed with them and ministered to them. Some were veterans who carried horrible burdens in their memory-banks. Early in my  ministry I made a friend of a younger man who had an accident with a friend in his car who was killed on impact. This young man's life was indelibly affected! I'm thankful that there is grace for situations like this, and I have always been comforted to be able to extend that grace on God's behalf!

However, we now have people filled with anger and mental instability who are eager to act out their violence by taking the life of another because of disagreements or differing opinions! How did our world become so evil and hateful? It certainly didn't happen overnight!

I feel paralyzed by Charlie's death! I can't get motivated to move on with my day. Discouragement and disillusionment hover over me! I need to think. I need to pray. I need God's gracious restoration. I desire to hope again.

American culture is disintegrating. Riding metros and light rails is no longer a safe activity. Remarkably, cities resist the help of the federal government's resources to restore peace in their streets - all because of political alliances. The recent murder of a young woman on a light rail was witnessed by many others who failed to assist her against her attacker and then walked around her lifeless body to exit the train!  

And in the midst of these horrific reports the church continues to divide itself and shrink its influence on our culture. The population has lost confidence in the church as an arbitrator for justice and equity!  Although vibrant and effective churches remain, the church is shrinking in size as well as influence! The denomination I've served in my entire life has shrunk by 34% over the last twenty years!

The facts are real and we all know them! But what about the question raised above: "Why didn't God stop this senseless death?

____________________________________________

There are just a few things that I'm certain of.

ONE is that God is also mourning with us today!

I refuse to believe that Charlie's death was God's plan or desire! God gives life! Life is sacred to God! 

SECOND is the assurance we can have that God will - in some way - bring good out of this horrible act of violence! It may take time for us to see it. Now is a time for shock, grieving and sorrow; but in time, we may be able to see evidence of God using it for good!

THIRD is the reminder that this world is just the warm-up or testing ground for an ultimate world where justice, peace, and a common love for God and one another will reign for all eternity - unhindered by violence or fear!

[I have a strong expectation that Charlie Kirk is there.]

FOURTH, God's interventions in this world are rare and beyond our understanding. We pray regularly for Him to intervene. When He does, we express our gratitude with thanksgiving. However, His sovereignty is beyond our scope of understanding and His purposes beyond our knowledge or expectations. Our walk is a walk of trust in Him!

DEEP, DEEPLY DOWN

The bulk of the book of Job is the ongoing dialogue between Job and his friends.

Eliphaz – from Teman – is the first to speak.  He seems to think that Job’s suffering is due to unintended sins.  He encourages Job to accept God’s correction.

When Job responds to him, we find that Eliphaz’s words have not comforted Job – but upset him. 

As Job speaks, we can hear his pain! 

“Would that my anguish were weighed, laid on a scale together with the disaster I’ve suffered!  For there is not enough sand in the seas to outweigh it!  It’s no wonder my untamed words are but incoherent stammering.” [6:2-3  all quotes from The Voice Bible]

In 6:8-10 Job seems to wish that God would bring his life to an end.  It is not a suicidal wish; he knows that only God has the right to begin and end life! 

In vs.11-13, he wonders how he will be able to “persist in this life”?

In his despair he seems agitated with the lack of understanding exhibited by his friends.  However, he continues to value their friendship – they are, after all, with him in his pain!  He cries out to them: “In all seriousness, teach me, and I will be silent.  Where have I erred? Help me understand.” [v.24]

In chapter 7 Job describes his despair:

“When I lie down at the end of the day, I wonder, ‘How soon till morning so I can arise?’ But the night stretches on, and I toss and turn until sunrise.” [v.4]

In the depths of his pain he cries out to God:

“I hate my life.  I have no desire to keep on living.  Leave me alone, God, for I have only a short time left.” [v.16]

Questioning himself and his integrity, he cries out:

“I have sinned.  What have I done to You,…Why have You targeted me…?...So I’ve sinned inadvertently, can’t You pardon me? Are my crimes such You can’t forgive my sins?”  [v.20-21]

Job is deep in the pit.  He is questioning everything.  He is full of self doubt.  He needs answers and cries out to his friends!

_______________________________

Some of us have been here with Job!  We’ve felt the deep pain and the isolation that grief and sorrow brings.  We wonder where God is.  We don’t understand why the bottom seems to have fallen out.  We feel alone.  We can’t endure the long days of suffering. We wish we could just die and end it all.  We query about why things have gone so badly. 

But, like Job, we must respect God’s sole right to begin and end life!  We must turn to friends – even if their attempts to comfort and advise seem weak and ineffective.  We must continue to trust God and believe that – in His time – He will bring us out! 

The Psalmist’s words must be tattooed on our mind:

“The deepest pains may linger through the night, but joy greets the soul with the smile of morning.” [Psalm 30:5].

If you’re in this season of despair and desire the companionship of one who has travelled this road – private message me to gain a prayer partner.  I promise to maintain your confidence and privacy! 

KING SAUL'S SAD STORY

This morning I'm captivated with Saul's story of becoming the first king of Israel as recorded in I Samuel 10.  

If you're familiar with this episode, Saul comes off as a bumbling fool who can't find his father's missing donkeys but who seemingly stumbles his way into being anointed king of Israel.  

One reads through these chapters wondering if God made a colossal misjudgment in choosing the wrong man for this monumental job.  

First, Saul can't fulfil the fairly simple assignment of finding his father's donkeys.  Then, he wanders into the town where the prophet Samuel lives - hoping to find an answer to his search.  Next, he winds up being the guest of honor at a feast.  Then, Samuel announces to him privately that he is to be the king of Israel.  On his way home, as predicted by Samuel, he falls into prophesying with a group of prophets.  

Meanwhile, Samuel calls all of Israel together to reveal their first king.  The tribe of Benjamin is chosen.  Saul's family is then chosen.  Kish's family is chosen with Saul being declared to be the new king.  But, where is he?  No one can find him!  After consulting God about Saul's whereabouts, he is found hiding in a pile of baggage and proclaimed king.  

Who's writing this story?  This is craziness.  What kind of leader is this guy going to be - even if he is taller than any other man in Israel?  Plus, immediately there are naysayers who believe this choice is a terrible one.  The only redeeming grace is that God aligned a few brave men behind Saul to support and aid him!  

Did Saul fail to step up to the responsibility God has placed before him?  Did low self-esteem trip him up and limit his capability?  Did his stubbornness and impatience sidetrack him?  It would seem so.  Yet God allowed him to continue as king for a long time – even after ordering Samuel to anoint David as king. Scholars and students alike have debated these issues for centuries.  

If nothing else, it shows us the purity of God's Word.  The faux paus and unrealized potential stories are not purged.  Even a dismal failure like Saul is recorded in lengthy chapters of this book of history.  The Bible doesn't hide the warts - it includes them for all to read and consider.    

To his credit, Saul did have a few victories.  His son, Jonathan, became David's best friend.  His daughter became David's first wife.  He proved himself to be a great fighter.  But he failed to follow and please God.  The most important thing!

COWS CAN BE DIRECTED BY GOD

This story comes from I Samuel 6.

Israel went to battle with the Philistines.  The Philistines won and captured the Chest of God!

It caused them lots of problems;  so much grief that they decided to give it back to the Israelites. 

 

To appease the God of Israel the Philistines created five golden tumors, five golden rats and placed them - along with the Chest of God - on a brand-new cart pulled by two cows that had never been harnessed.  

Meanwhile, they locked the cows' calves in a barn.

The Philistine leaders set the cows/cart loose thinking that if the cows went toward Israel, then the God of Israel was indeed leading them.  

This test of God was unlikely to succeed since the cows would surely turn toward the barn where their calves would be bellowing.

But, the cows apparently listened to God and headed straight for the town of Beth Shemish in Israel and stopped in the field - where harvesters were working - of a man named Joshua.!  The people quickly broke up the cart, made a fire of the wood and sacrificed the cows to God as a thank offering!  

God showed His sovereignty over nature by directing these cows where He wanted them to go!  The Philistine leaders learned a valuable lesson about GOD that day!  

Did God really direct these two cows?

Oh yes!  And if they listened to Him and obeyed Him - why don't you?

GOD GETS OUR ATTENTION!

 If you've been reading this blog, then you know we've been following the stories surrounding Esau and Jacob.  The dastardly deed is done, and now Jacob has essentially been sent far away (to protect him from Esau's wrath).  Isaac and Rebekah have sent him to Paddam Aram to take a wife from among Rebekah's brother's clan there.

We can only imagine the loneliness that Jacob experienced as he set on on this 500-mile journey.

Jacob must surely have had similar feelings.  Was he remorseful over his actions regarding Esau?  Did he have regrets?  Did he too, feel abandoned?  Did he already miss his parents?  

As the sun set, he took a stone and used it for a pillow and laid down to sleep.  

He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.  [28:12]

There above it stood the Lord, and he said: “I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring.  I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”

When Jacob awoke, he thought that he had stumbled onto the gateway to Heaven.  He marked the spot with his rock-pillow and anointed it with the name Bethel [Beth = house;  El = God].  

Then this ungodly young man did something he had never done before:  he made a vow.  It's words indicate that he was not thoroughly convinced.  But he WAS intrigued.  God had made a start in Jacob's life, mind and heart.  This start would take years of adversity to mature - but God had gained a foothold in Jacob's life.  Here's the vow:

“If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear so that I return safely to my father’s household, then the Lord will be my God and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God’s house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth.”

Jacob intends to test God out.  It's an "If...then" statement..  He's not convinced.  But he's curious.  That's the way many of us begin our walk with God.  Jacob's wrestling match with God has begun!  

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Sovereign God,

We may never know why You chose Jacob over Esau in Rebekah's womb.  Why You chose to be known as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob instead of Abraham, Isaac and Esau?  You are sovereign!  You do what You want to do and use whom You want to use.  

Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.  [Romans 9:18]

"Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?"   [Romans 11:34]

Our role is simply to trust You - no matter what happens.  Help us to do so.  Help us not to get caught up in controversies or squabbles or family entanglements;  but rather to walk ever forward with our hand in Yours!  

For the Kingdom's sake.  Amen.   

 

 

DO YOU CONSULT GOD?

In I Samuel 23, David and his men are hiding from King Saul.  David hears that the village of Keilah is under attack from the Philistines.  

He inquired of the LORD, saying, "Shall I go and attack these Philistines?"

The LORD answered him, "Go, attack the Philistines and save Keilah." [v.2]

But David's men were resistant to this action.

Once again David inquired of the LORD, and the LORD answered him, "Go down to Keilah, for I am going to give the Philistines into your hand."  [v.4]

David and his men went to Keilah and inflicted heavy losses on the Philistines and saved the people of Keilah. [v.5]

King Saul heard about David's appearance in Keilah and immediately sent his army to capture David and his men.  

When David learned that Saul was plotting against him,...David said, "O LORD, God of Israel,...Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me to [Saul]?  Will Saul come down, as your servant has heard?  O LORD, God of Israel, tell your servant."  And the LORD said, "He will."  Again David asked, "Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me and my men to Saul?"  And the LORD said, "They will."  So David and his men , about six hundred in number, left Keilah and kept moving from place to place.  [vs.9-13]

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Is it really possible to have this kind of relationship with God?

Do you have daily dialogue with God?

Do you consult Him over the decisions you are required to make regularly through your life?

Do you want His direction?

Romans 11:33-36 ™

Have you ever come on anything quite like this extravagant generosity of God, this deep, deep wisdom?  It’s way over our heads.  We’ll never figure it out.

Is there anyone around who can explain God?

Anyone smart enough to tell him what to do?

Anyone who has done him such a huge favor that God has to ask his advice?

 Everything comes from him;

Everything happens through him;

Everything ends up in him.

Always glory!  Always praise!

     Yes.  Yes.  Yes.

Sovereign Lord,

'

We are so prone to go it alone.  Forgive us for our independent spirit.  You, and You alone, know the future.  We are foolish to spurn Your input!  We should be driven into Your Holy presence consistently - for You have the ultimate wisdom and counsel.  Yet, we stand aloof and think we are wise enough to navigate on our own.  How foolish!  You must stand in the Heavens and shake Your head at our obstinance.  Again, forgive us.

Help us to learn that turning to You is the wisest and most advantageous thing we can do.  You love us and yearn to guide us.  You can help us avoid pitfalls and mistakes.  You can save us pain and humiliation (as You did David).  You can prosper us and enrich our lives - IF WE WILL JUST CONSULT YOU!

For the Kingdom's sake, Amen.

GOD ALWAYS HAS A PEOPLE!

 I just read Genesis 20.  It includes the story of Abraham and Abimelech - the king of Gerar.  Genesis 20:11-13 is the only place in scripture where it is actually explained that Sarah was Abraham's sister [they shared the same father, but different mothers}.  When they began their wanderings, he said to her:  "This is how you can show your love to me:  everywhere we go, say of me, 'He is my brother.'"  

Abraham underestimated the power and influence of God!  

When they arrived in Gerar, Sarah did what her husband had asked and announced that he was her brother - which was partly true.  Being a beautiful woman, the king had her brought in to be part of his harem.  God immediately closed the wombs of all Abimelech's household.  Then, God came to Abimelech in a dream and said:  "You are as good as dead because of the woman you have taken;  she is a married woman."  [v.3].  

The king proclaimed his innocence before God and immediately agreed to make everything right.  He returned Sarah the next day!  He gave Abraham sheep and herds, male and female slaves, and a thousand shekels of silver.  He also said, "My land is before you;  live wherever you like."  [v.15].  

Obviously, King Abimelech honored God and knew and revered him!

We see this kind of thing happening repeatedly throughout scripture!

• After defeating a coalition of kings (and their armies) Abraham offers sacrifices to the King of Salem who is a priest of the Most High God [Genesis 14].  His name is Melchizedek.  Where did this guy come from?  Who told him about God and made him a priest?
• Later, Moses flees from Egypt and crosses the wilderness only to wind up being taken in by Jethro - a priest of Midian [Exodus 2].  This man gives Moses a wife, a job and a home.  He later advises Moses wisely in overseeing the massive group of Israelites under his leadership!  Where did this Jethro come from and who made him a priest?  
• Jonah is sent to preach to the population of a large city in Ninevah.  After his rebellion, he arrives and -rather unenthusiastically - preaches a simple salvation message.  The people respond in droves and a great revival overtakes the city [Jonah 3]!  What going on here?  Who prepared these people for this great revival?
• When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, magi from Persia were tipped off by the movement of the stars.  They made an arduous journey that must have taken many months before arriving at the house of Joseph to present gifts to the child, Jesus.  Who was coordinating this effort?  These were Gentiles - what were they doing playing such a major role in the birth of Christ?  
• We're told today of Muslims and even Muhllah's having dreams about Jesus!  Some are so seriously influenced that they're turning to Him with no other intervention!  Who's causing this?  [Definition of mullah : an educated Muslim trained in religious law and doctrine and usually holding an official post.  -  https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mullah]   

We tend to limit God to what we can see, but GOD ALWAYS HAS A PEOPLE AND IS ALWAYS AT WORK!  

We have no idea what He's up to....

Our attitude should be that espoused by Henry Blackaby in his excellent book:  EXPERIENCING GOD:  Knowing and Doing the Will of God:  Wait until we see God at work!  Then join Him in His work!  

Oh God!

Where are You working today?  What people group are You reaching out to?  Which of my neighbors are You wanting to touch today?  Where is Your Spirit lingering?  How can I join You in Your work?  What part can I play in being a part of Your loving outreach?  

Spirit of the Living God, fall fresh on me
Melt me, mold me
Fill me, use me

Spirit of the Living God, fall fresh on me

For the Kingdom's sake.  Amen.