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SPEECHLESS!


Job 40: 1-24

Saturday, 11 February 2023



Then Job answered the LORD and said, “Behold, I am insignificant; what can I reply to You?

I lay my hand on my mouth.” -Job 40:3&4[NASB]


Job is an intriguing book for many yet in it we find the infiniteness of God and the finiteness of man explained. In all that man could ever substantiate his stand before God, there can never be a ground for his defence - this is precisely what our reading for today points to. God is sovereign and in His infinite wisdom He knows all!


While his friends were trying to reason out with Job why he was suffering, Job sought God to answer the very same question. Instead of a direct answer, God brings a spreadsheet of His magnificent creation (seen in chapters 38-40) before Job and asks him in return whether any of these were comprehensible to him. Job’s answer:


“Behold, I am insignificant; what can I reply to You?

I lay my hand on my mouth.

“Once I have spoken, and I will not answer;

Even twice, and I will add nothing more.”


In the following verses, we can get a glimpse of the Power/Majesty of God versus the powerlessness/fragility of man. God’s power is seen in the strength of His arm, the authority in His voice(V.9), the dignity in His splendor (V.10), His ability to humble the proud(Vs.11-13), His copyright in creation, seen in a creature like the behemoth(Vs.18-24). Can mere man like Job ever match the God of the Universe?!!


To sum up our meditation today, as believers in Christ Jesus, we can look into two assertions Job himself made in the book:


· “But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold” (Job 23:10)


This is a statement of trust in an All-Knowing God! Whether the ways that we encounter be “good” or “bad” (seen through human eyes)- God sees it! For a child of God walking in His way, as the Psalmist has said: The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.” (Ps.37:23NLT). The hard climbs, the rough paths, the cliff edges are all part in this journey of life until we get to be where He is. Through all the tests and struggles of life, we have His unseen hand holding us through it all: “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.” (Isaiah 43:2NLT)


· “I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted.” (Job 42:2)


This is a statement of faith in an unchanging God! God does not change like shifting shadows (James 1:17)- His constancy in an ever-changing world is something a believer can hold on to. Our confidence in Him is that whatever God has purposed He will perform! Isaiah 46:10 says: “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please. Thus, in times of uncertainty, we can continue to believe in His promises which are yes and amen in Christ for the glory of God! (2Cor.1:20)


Christ Jesus has given us great assurance in John 16:33(NLT) I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” Being in Him hold the key to our peace in troubled times. The fragile, finite man can only find rest and peace in an infinite wise God before whom we can only stand in awe!


Prayer: “LORD GOD I stand in awe of You! I place my life in Your hands that you may direct it in You!”

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