Year of the Bible: Part Seven of TwelveSample

God Confronts and Speaks with Job

Job wished for a hearing with God, and, whew, he got his wish! Standing in God’s presence and being questioned was no doubt a humbling experience. God speaks with a hint of sarcasm as He asks Job one rhetorical question after another. Putting ourselves in Job’s shoes, we can feel the withering weight of each question.

Like us, Job didn’t understand the reason for his suffering. God revealed there was much more that Job did not understand than just his suffering. Humans don’t often see far beyond our own circumstances, yet God sees everything. He is not just the Creator; He holds all the world together. Just like Job, you and I cannot comprehend the complexity of our world. We understand a few things, but there is far more that we don’t understand—God made this abundantly clear to Job!

In his commentary, Tony Evans challenges the believer, saying, “This confrontation is a small glimpse of the future. It’s one thing to scold God for His handling of our affairs when we can’t see or hear Him. It’s another thing to confront God to His face. Someday, we will all stand before Him face to face just as Job had to face Him.” Job recognized how limited his understanding was, and he repented for being angry regarding what he couldn’t understand. His posture changed when he realized the enormity of God.

We tend to judge God regarding things we cannot understand. We question the evil in the world. We demand reasons for circumstances we view as unjust. Yet, all along, the Creator is seeking us and offering us hope, love, and comfort. We can take hold of all His generosity by simply welcoming His presence and recognizing that we do not share His infinite knowledge.

Question: Will you shake your fist at God for all you don’t understand, or will you bow your head in humility?

Prayer: Father, Your ways are higher than my ways. Please help me to trust You and allow You to work even when I don’t understand. Give me peace to know that You are always for my good. In the name of Jesus, Amen.