Job 38:1-41
Saturday, 06 May 2023
Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said, “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? “Now gird up your loins like a man, and I will ask you, and you instruct Me!” -Job 38:1-3
The Book of Job gives an account of a ‘blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil’ (Job 1:8), who was put through a series of troubles and lost his everything— family, wealth and health. Humanly thinking, Job did not deserve to suffer and so during his great afflictions, Job questions God of acting unjustly towards him. However, God’s response to Job in Chapter 38 - 39 brings a revelation of the majesty and sovereignty of God.
This revelation of the Almighty God gives us a new perspective of our present struggles and enables us to persevere in faith.
· God the Creator: “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? … Who set its measurements?” (Vs 4-5) Genesis 1-2 gives us a stunning account of the creation of the world by the power of God. You alone are the LORD. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you. (Nehemiah 9:6) The One who created the heavens and the earth formed you and me in our mother’s womb- how precious we are to Him. ‘For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. (Psalm 139:13-16) When we realize how intricately and lovingly God created us, we know that no matter what trial or affliction we may face, we are secure in His hands and we will emerge victorious.
· God the Sustainer: It is He who sets the limits of the oceans and causes the day to dawn (Vs 8-12) He upholds all things by the power of His word (Hebrews 1:3) His works are far too marvellous for us to fully comprehend. He who sustains the whole world is also able to guard and guide you in your daily life, if you will open your heart and allow Him to meet you at your point of need. Have faith! This far the Lord has brought us by His grace, and He shall continue to lead us in strength.
· The Omnipotent God: Whole of nature reveals the omnipotence and omnipresence of God. His power is displayed in all creation. He sends rain, controls the flood and lightning and provides food to the animals. All of creation responds to the mighty Creator God. Even when we do not comprehend our present sufferings and pain, we can trust our Maker. When we experience God at a personal level, we like the Psalmist will proclaim, ‘When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? (Psalm 8:3-6)
This personal revelation of God brings into perceptive the sovereignty and greatness of God in light of our present insignificant troubles and enable us acknowledge our helplessness without Him. If in our struggles we have questioned the Lord, let us return to our loving Heavenly Father in repentance like Job, “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear; But now my eye sees You; Therefore I retract, And I repent in dust and ashes.” (Job 42:5–6) Let us place our trust and persist in faith, that in all our struggles, God may be glorified.
Think on: For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison. (2 Corinthians 4:17)