Read Job 38
Highlights:
God's challenge to Job; man's weakness and ignorance; Job humbled.
Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind (Job 38:1).
Day after day, Job wondered why he experienced so many tragedies. When God finally revealed Himself out of the whirlwind, He did not give Job an explanation for his past sufferings or promise future restoration. He did not explain that Satan was the source of all Job's calamities and that it was all within His permissive will for Job's ultimate good. Neither did God compliment Job on his faithfulness.
He gave Job what he really needed most — a revelation of Himself: His power, majesty, greatness, and goodness. Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? . . . When the morning stars sang together . . . Hast thou commanded the morning . . . Hast thou entered into the springs of the sea? . . . Hast thou perceived the breadth of the earth? . . . Where is the way where light dwelleth? . . . Canst thou send lightnings . . . Who provideth for the raven his food? (38:4-41).
This fuller revelation was Job's greatest need — and ours! But this was not revealed until he was able to say: Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him (13:15). If we put all our trust in God and His Word, we are guaranteed He will respond. He may not do what we want Him to do or give us everything we pray for. We must remember that He knows better than we do what is good for us and what is not. He will show Himself on His terms, in His timing, and for His purpose. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God (II Cor. 3:5).
When we consider the greatness of God's wisdom, we, too, will recognize our insufficiency to know what is best and will trust God to direct our lives. God will always direct our lives to what is best for us. We must allow Him control for this to happen. We must seek godly counsel and seek the right choice in all our decision-making. God alone can grant the wisdom necessary to discern the will of God through His Word. That the . . . Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and . . . The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints (Eph. 1:17-18).
Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen (Rev. 7:12).
Thought for Today:
The Christian would rather walk in the darkness of the night, knowing that God was with him, than to walk in the light of the day without Him.
Christ Revealed:
As the One who laid the foundations of the earth (Job 38:4). By Christ, God created our universe (Heb. 1:1-2). All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made (John 1:1-3).
Word Studies:
38:9 swaddlingband, wrapping; 38:12 dayspring, dawn; 38:31 Pleiades, the seven stars that stood for the 7 influences of spring; bands of Orion, storms; 39:9 unicorn, wild ox; 40:4 vile, insignificant; 40:21 fens, marshes.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Country: Japan (126.7 million) off the eastern coast of Asia • Major language: Japanese • Religious freedom • 49% Buddhist; 45% Shintoist; 1% Christian; 5% Other • Prayer Suggestion: Pray aloud with your voice — God hears (Ps. 3:4).
Optional Reading: Philippians 1
Memory Verse for the Week: Lamentations 3:22-23