[As Job endures extraordinary hardships, God uses His creation to open Job's eyes to the power and sovereignty that is His alone. "The Lord drew Job’s attention to the distinctive features of the mountain goats, bears, wild donkeys, wild oxen, ostriches, storks, horses, hawks, eagles, and two of the Lord’s most powerful creatures at that time: the behemoths and the leviathans."]
The Lord asks Job for a response: “Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him? Let him who accuses God answer him!” (Job 40:1). Job was greatly humbled by his encounter with God. “I am unworthy – how can I reply to You? I put my hand over my mouth. I spoke once, but I have no answer – twice, but I will say no more” (Job 40:4-5). After God’s boasting about the behemoth and the leviathan, Job’s heart finally finds peace with God and declares, “I know that You can do all things; no plan of Yours can be thwarted . . . My ears have heard You but now my eyes have seen You” (Job 42:2, 4).
I will admit that Job is a difficult book to read. It is hard to understand why the Lord allowed Satan to bring such hardship upon Job. Sometimes it is puzzling why we or one we love is going through great suffering. However, I have found that when I am going through trials and pain, the Lord will deliver me out of darkness and into light when I focus on the Almighty’s power and wisdom as revealed through His creation. The Lord helped Job to not “shrink God down to human size.” He brought Job to see that the Lord is so much greater than our minds can conceive. His ways are not our ways. It is easy to question God’s purposes, especially when we bring Him down to our human level. Thus, the Lord led Job to ponder the greatness of God’s creation. I encourage you to frequently take walks and look at nature. If you have little nature near you, utilize the internet to view magnificent pictures of our universe. Ponder the complexity and vastness of God’s creation. Praise Him for His great wisdom, power, and sovereignty. At times, use the name Almighty when you address Him. Like Job, this will help you to better acknowledge the wisdom of God and trust Him no matter what difficulties you are facing.
Today’s Bible Reading: Job 26-31, 38-42
By Sue Corl - an excerpt from For Such A Time As This: Walking Through Crisis
Comments