The Aspirin Tablet

October 13th, 2023

by Bro. Duane Marshall
10/13/2023

Isaiah 55:9 - "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Someone once said life can be divided up into three stages. The school tablet: Where we get our education. The aspirin tablet: Where we raise a family and pursue a career. Then finally, the stone tablet.

The stone tablet has a little dash in between our date of birth and date of death. If you’re still breathing you’re probably in the aspirin tablet of life with all its headaches, personality differences, deadlines that can’t be met, and marital issues.

I’d like you to discover with me one of the subjects necessary for weathering these storms. The main one is trust. I don’t know about you, but my first response when I’m encountering a difficult trial seems to be why?

When we ask why it means for what reason. It has the effect of calling one on the carpet. This question demands an answer. When asked we give God the feeling He owes us an explanation. Psalm 115:3 - “But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.”

Did you notice He doesn’t ask our permission or explain why? The Bible says, He does whatsoever He pleases. Because He is the Lord, maker of heaven and earth, the sovereign one. When we read Isaiah 55:9, “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”, does it cause us to reflect on our questioning? You and I probably need to quit trying to reduce Him to manageable terms. After all, He is in charge of the universe and the legions of angels are at His disposal.

Before Job’s ordeal, God never explained Himself. In fact, God asked Job seventy-eight questions at the end of his trials. Listen to how God responded to Job in 38:1-2, “Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?” He was showing Job His sovereignty.

The key to Job’s survival through all these trials was twofold. He worshiped God and due to his close relationship with God, Job fully trusted Him even though he didn’t understand why.

If you find yourself in a deep valley you may feel like Job when he said, “He hath fenced up my way that I cannot pass, and he hath set darkness in my paths.” (Job 19:8). Just remember you’re there by His power, His provision, for His purpose. That makes trusting a lot easier. He watches our every move, knows our every motive, and forgives our every misstep.

In those times lean heavily on the Holy Spirit. Psalm 23:3, “He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” He will lead you through the valley but not leave you behind.