Today’s Reading, Job 38-39
Focal Scripture: Job 38:3 “Get ready to answer me like a man; when I question you, you will inform me.”
Being called out by someone more powerful than you is intimidating and overwhelming. You know that no matter what you do, no matter how confident you are, no matter how much you have prepared, there is nothing you can do to win. In my personal life as a teenager or adult, I have never felt that way. People have tried to assert power and authority over me but it actually has the opposite effect. I am not saying that because I am something special. I am saying that because the people who tried to demonstrate power don’t really have any regardless of their position.
In today’s reading however, Job runs into the God of the universe. He gets called out by the creator and sustainer of all things. Job has spent many hours questioning God and his actions. Now the Lord calls Job onto the carpet. God wants him to answer him like a man. God is going to start asking Job many questions and he is expected to have an answer ready when he is called upon. God is no longer silent, instead he expects the created to answer the creator.
Some battles can’t be won, no matter how hard you try. Job is in one of those positions before the Lord. We are also in that position when the Lord questions us when we doubt his sovereignty. I said earlier this week that Job was about to find out that the Lord will only stay quiet until the right time arises. This is true in my life and your life as well.
Job is asked to be a man and listen to the Lord’s questions. God makes it clear that Job is on over his head. God asks where Job was when he put the stars in place. Where was he when animals are placed in the right location at the right time. No detail is to big or small for the Lord. These decisions have nothing to do with Job. God sustains everything because he is the only who can in the universe.
So what is the lesson to be learned? Since God is capable of doing such great and majestic works, how dare we question his decision making. We can ask questions on what God wants us to learn. However, we should be prepared to answer him when he questions our credentials.
The point I am trying to make today is do we truly understand who we are doubting when life doesn’t go our way. We have lost a healthy fear of the Lord in my opinion. We miss the Lord’s power and his perfection. God is perfect and makes no mistakes. God knows how to handle everything correctly even when we can’t.
Let’s be ready to answer the Lord biblically when he asks questions of us personally.
Tomorrow, I plan on reading Job 40-42
