God Is!

In retrospect, Job lost so much. I cannot begin to truly understand the adversity and affliction he lived. I can only catch a small glimpse of his pain and suffering. He couldn’t understand it himself, but wouldn’t give up on his faith in God.
Even in his moments of total desperation, he did not concede. However, he did want answers and although he did not get them as he hoped; God eventually spoke to him.

Have you ever wondered what you would do, if God spoke to you audibly? I have and I still don’t know what I would do. God has however spoken to me through his word, through nature; the song of a bird, the loyalty of a friend, the love of a child, the loyalty of a canine. God has spoken through listening to the wind and through the hopes and dreams of children.

God does speak, and when he does we should listen. In Chapter 38 of Job we can read and listen to God’s challenge to Job. “Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words? Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.”

I’m not certain, how I would have acted to such a challenge; nor would I have known to answer God’s questions. God was in “demand” mode and making a strong effort to let Job know that He is always in control and actually knows why He does what He does even though we do not and may never know.

God asks, “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you know so much. Who determined its dimensions and stretched out the surveying line? What supports its foundations and who laid the cornerstone as the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?” 

The questions continued and reading the chapter makes one appreciate the poetic prose of God! The Lords challenge continues in Chapter 39. “Then the Lord said to Job, ‘Do you still want to argue with the Almighty? You are God’s critic, but do you have the answers?'”

What could Job say? Job replies “I am nothing- how could I ever find the answers? I will cover my mouth with my hand. I have said too much already I have nothing more to say.” But God did not let him “off the hook.” In chapters 40 and 41, the inquiry continues.  

Finally, in Chapter 42 Job replies to the Lord. “I know that you can do anything and no one can stop you. You asked , ‘Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?’ It is I-and I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far to wonderful for me. You said, ‘Listen and I will speak! I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.’ I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes. I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance.”

In essence, Job as all of us will never fully know all there is to know about God. We only know what He allows us to know. Job was absolutely right when he said, “I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you.”

God is! And, because of who He is, we are! Blessed be the Name of the Lord!