“‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the LORD. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.’”
Isaiah 55:8
Have you ever declared that the painful turn your life has taken is simply “not fair”? Have you questioned God’s justice? As my painful circumstances persist, I’m tempted to question God in this way. I must admit that my situation has caused me to read the book of Job in a new light.
Initially, Job’s friends are a comfort to him in his suffering. But eventually, the words they intended to be of help instead cause him to question God’s justice and demand answers. God doesn’t answer Job’s questions or sympathize with what the devil has put him through. God unloads a barrage of more than 70 unanswerable questions, including, “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?” (38:4), and “Have you ever given orders to the morning, or shown the dawn its place?” (v. 12)
In response, Job can only say, “I am unworthy—how can I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth” (40:4).
God is teaching us through Job to acknowledge that He is God and we are not, and that His plans are good. We simply need to be quiet and trust Him.
Initially, Job’s friends are a comfort to him in his suffering. But eventually, the words they intended to be of help instead cause him to question God’s justice and demand answers. God doesn’t answer Job’s questions or sympathize with what the devil has put him through. God unloads a barrage of more than 70 unanswerable questions, including, “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?” (38:4), and “Have you ever given orders to the morning, or shown the dawn its place?” (v. 12)
In response, Job can only say, “I am unworthy—how can I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth” (40:4).
God is teaching us through Job to acknowledge that He is God and we are not, and that His plans are good. We simply need to be quiet and trust Him.
Scripture Focus
Job 38-39
Insight
Lord, as we struggle through circumstances that seem unfair, help us to learn to acknowledge that You are God and to quietly trust in You. Amen
Bible In A Year
- 2 Samuel 5-6
- Psalm 138
- Philippians 1-2
