Billy Graham Daily Devotion: Don
We might as well face it, strife has even infiltrated our church life.
Friday, April 24, 2026
A Question of Why
“But he knows where I am going. And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold.”
—Job 23:10
... View MoreFriday, April 24, 2026
A Question of Why
“But he knows where I am going. And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold.”
—Job 23:10
“Why?” is a very popular question among God’s people. King David asked why his son rebelled against him and why the people of Israel stopped supporting him. Elijah asked why he was the only remaining prophet to stand for God. Jeremiah asked why he was suffering so much for doing what God had called him to do. Jesus Himself asked why God had forsaken Him.
But no one is more closely associated with the question “Why?” than Job. And for good reason. Job was a righteous man who savored God’s blessings in his life. Those blessings included a loving family and great wealth. Then, in quick succession, thieves plundered his livestock. Fire destroyed his servants and his possessions, leaving him with nothing. A house collapse killed his children. Boils broke out all over his body, leaving him in constant, excruciating pain.
His friends told him that he was to blame for his suffering, that he was facing divine retribution for sin. His wife told him to curse God and die.
Job sincerely believed that his suffering had nothing to do with divine retribution. He wasn’t being punished for anything. But that belief raised some serious questions. Questions that a lot of God’s people ask when they’re faced with trials and suffering. Questions that start with “Why?”
Job put it this way: “If only I knew where to find God, I would go to his court. I would lay out my case and present my arguments. Then I would listen to his reply and understand what he says to me” (Job 23:3–5 NLT).
The answer that Job received may or may not have satisfied him. And that brings us to a hard truth of the Christian faith: God doesn’t work His will for our ultimate comfort, security, or benefit. He works His will for His glory. He wants His people to recognize who He is and what He’s done—and then to worship and give thanks accordingly. That’s what we were created to do. That’s what puts us in perfect alignment with Him. That’s what gives us a soul-deep sense of fulfillment and joy.
To accomplish that, God occasionally puts us in situations from which only He can deliver us. He allows circumstances to test us so that we will draw closer to Him and rely on His resources alone to “survive and thrive.”
That way, we can’t “thank our lucky stars” or compliment ourselves on our own cleverness or resourcefulness. Rather, we must say, “Only God could have done this.” God clearly says in Scripture that He will not give His glory to another (see Isaiah 42:8).
Job honestly admitted his struggles and his need for answers. Then he added what would become a classic statement of faith: “But he knows where I am going. And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold” (Job 23:10 NLT). Job was saying, “I don’t know what’s going on. I don’t know why God has allowed these things to happen. But I know this: When I am tested, my faith will become purer and more precious.”
That was God’s objective for Job. And it’s His objective for us, too.
Our Daily Bread Ministries
April 24
Bible in a Year: 2 Samuel 19-20; Luke 18:1-23
Rivers to Cross
I am with you as I was with Moses. Joshua 3:7
... View MoreOur Daily Bread Ministries
April 24
Bible in a Year: 2 Samuel 19-20; Luke 18:1-23
Rivers to Cross
I am with you as I was with Moses. Joshua 3:7
READ Joshua 3:9-11, 13-17
When Chris McCandless wandered off the grid and into the Alaskan wilderness, he expected to return. But he crossed the Teklanika in April, well before summer ice-melt would swell that river into an impassable torrent. Months later, out of food, McCandless couldn’t get back. His tragic death is memorialized in book and film.
The people of ancient Israel faced a crucial river crossing in order to enter the promised land. However, “the Jordan [was] at flood stage” (Joshua 3:15), a challenge that would grow their faith. God told Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the eyes of all Israel, so they may know that I am with you as I was with Moses” (v. 7).
Joshua told the people, “The ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth will go into the Jordan ahead of you” (v. 11). Taking the ark, the priests stepped into the Jordan, and “the water from upstream stopped flowing” (vv. 15-16). The entire nation stepped across on a dry riverbed (v. 17).
From time to time we’ll face “river crossings”—impossible situations that can grow our faith if we’ll turn to the one who makes the way across. The greatest of these crossings is from this life into the next. No matter what it is, the God who was with Moses, Joshua, and the Israelites also makes a way for us.
By Tim Gustafson
REFLECT & PRAY
What “river crossing” do you face today? How have you seen God show His power on your behalf in the past?
Thank You, dear Jesus, that You make the way across any river I face, including the final one. Amen.
"Dear Loved by God" — Spiritual Warfare for 04/24/2026
One day Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan River. As Jesus came up out of the water, he saw the heavens sp... View More"Dear Loved by God" — Spiritual Warfare for 04/24/2026
One day Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan River. As Jesus came up out of the water, he saw the heavens splitting apart and the Holy Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice from heaven said, 'You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.' — Mark 1:9-11 NLT
Today's Prayer
Lord, I know that John witnessed Your Spirit descend onto Jesus when He was baptized, and he even heard Your voice from heaven acknowledging Jesus as Your Son. Yet when life got tough for John and he was imprisoned by King Herod, John sent his disciples to ask Jesus if He was the one. So John doubted Jesus when the circumstances of life didn't match what he expected to happen. I confess that I've done the same thing, doubting You when problems come my way. Forgive me, and help me to have more faithful trust in You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
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