Job 38-42

Praise God for His presence and power today in Job's story (Job 38-42).  God speaks through the storm, and Job has an ah-ha moment.  It's a God-moment that literally and spiritually changes his life.  And even though we don't hear from Job's friends again, I have a feeling it changes theirs too.

Job has been struggling to understand what God is doing in his life through the suffering.  The heart of the matter is, "Why, me God?"  Job has been crying out to God, and God hears him.  God comes to Job, and God answers.

We can count on God.  Like Job, God answers our prayers in His time.  He doesn't always give us the answers we expect, though.  God is full of glorious surprises.  

Instead of answering Job's question directly, God uses nature to illustrate His absolute sovereignty in the world.  

In speaking to Job, God reminds all of us that if we can't understand the physical wonders we see in nature, there's no way we can begin to understand God's invisible and perfect justice.

Job surrenders in response to God...

“I know that you can do all things;

    no purpose of yours can be thwarted.

3 

You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’

    Surely I spoke of things I did not understand,

    things too wonderful for me to know.

Job 42:2-3

Job is humbled by things "too wonderful."  I love that.  He goes on to say,

My ears had heard of you

    but now my eyes have seen you.

6 

Therefore I despise myself

    and repent in dust and ashes.”

Job 42:5-6

Job has this experience, and he finally "sees" God even in the midst of his suffering.  

In the end, God tells Job to offer sacrifices and pray for his three friends who have sinned in their misguided arguments.  Then, God restores Job's life and blesses him beyond his imagination.  

For me, there are so many lessons to take from this story as I nurture my faith, too many for one blog post.

However the point that stands out the most today is this-

Because of God's power and constant presence in our lives, He calls us to "see" his creation and all the things "too wonderful" for us to understand.  On days when things don't go our way, that takes more effort on our part, but those wonders are are there waiting to be a blessing and a source of strength and direction for us.

How about you?  What part of Job's story really speaks to you?  And in what ways, might God be answering your prayers indirectly?

A prayer for today-

Dear God,

Thank You for Your constant presence in my life.  Thank You for hearing every one of my prayers and for blessing me with things "too wonderful for me to know." 

Forgive me for focusing too much on my own understanding instead of trusting in Your powerful love.

I pray for the eyes to "see You," Lord every single day in the people I meet and in the wonders of Your creation.  Help me have a grateful and humble heart, open to Your direction.  Also, Lord, I need You to help me let go of my worries and the burdens that distract me from Your joy. 

[Spend some quiet time opening your heart to God]  

Jesus, draw me close to You.

In Jesus' name I pray,
Amen

Peace of Christ,

*This post is part of A Mind-Maker-Upper's Everyday Reading Project.  Click here to read more.