How God’s response to Job brings me peace…
Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm. He said:
2 “Who is this that obscures my plans
with words without knowledge?
3 Brace yourself like a man;
I will question you,
and you shall answer me.
Job 38:1–3
The book of Job is filled with arguments between Job and his friends, about the reason(s) Job was walking through trials. Satan claimed that if Job lost all his blessings from God, then he would turn on God. Job’s friends tried to blame sin in Job’s life for the trials he was walking through, but Job continued to argue he was innocent. So while we know that Job wasn’t being punished for his sin (see Job 1), we also know that Job wasn’t perfect and he may have had some viewpoints that needed adjusting, (who doesn’t?)
As the book of Job ends, God responds to Job’s complaints. One example was that God wasn’t responding to his cries (Job 30:20). I can admit, that I’ve felt that distance from God a time or two, but God’s response to Job brings me overwhelming peace every time I walk through a confusing season.
4 “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?
Tell me, if you understand.
5 Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know!
Job 38:4–5
When I think I know better than God, I remind myself that He laid the foundations of the Earth. Who am I to question His plan?
22 “Have you entered the storehouses of the snow
or seen the storehouses of the hail,
23 which I reserve for times of trouble,
for days of war and battle?
Job 38:22–23
How often do I forget all the things God is caring for, including snow and hail? Why do I think He can’t care for me when He is caring for everything?
35 Do you send the lightning bolts on their way?
Do they report to you, ‘Here we are’?
Job 38:35
Lighting always feels random, but it isn’t. God is controlling it at ALL times. So if He can control lightning, why would I fear that He can’t control dangers in my own life.
I could go on and on with different examples from the end of Job, but these questions to Job remind me how BIG God really is, and how small I am in comparison. I can rest peacefully knowing that God has everything in order, and His plans will prevail.
All glory to God!
Amanda
How would I use these truths in conversations with my kids?
I bring up the storehouses of snow every time it snows, to remind my kids that God is in control of everything including the weather.
I remind my kids about God’s order and power when laying the foundations of our earth. We can trust His good design.
Lightning can bring fear in young kids (I was one of them), so reminding my kids that God sends the lightning and has full control helps ease their minds.
