LEARNING DAILY

 

Job 38:1, Then God answered Job out of the whirlwind and said:

 

Today is one of those detours in my plans because of something I read. This comes from the thoughts by Max Lucado in his book The Great House of God. I love his writing as he has such a gift in explaining God’s Word. In the book of Job, Satan has said Job walked with God only because God had placed a hedge of protection around him. So, God allowed Satan to take everything from Job, including his family, his wealth, and his health; he just could not kill Job.  

 

The majority of the book of Job is a back-and-forth discussion between Job and three friends; the three friends are determined to get Job to understand that the reason he was going through all his difficulties because of unconfessed sin in his life. Job argues that is not true and finally gives his opinions on God. Lucado writes, “He defines God, explains God and reviews God. One gets the impression that Job knows more about God than God does!”

 

Finally, we get to Job chapter 38 where God responds to Job. He tells Job to put on his big boy pants (my interpretation) because He is going to ask him some questions and He wants Job to answer them. Here are just a few questions God asks. “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Who determined its measurements and laid its cornerstone? To what were its foundations attached? Or who shut the sea with doors (or set its boundaries)? Have you ever commanded the morning to appear and caused the dawn to rise in the east? (NLT) Where does the light come from and where does the darkness go? (NLT) Does the rain have a father? (NLT) Can you hold back the movement of the stars? (NLT) Can you shout to the clouds to make it rain? (NLT)

 

Do you get the picture? I ask you to read for yourself the entire chapter along with chapter 39 to get the feel for the greatness of God. Let me ask you this. How would you respond to this questioning? Lucado’s writing is so good. “Job cannot help but get the point. Only God defines God! You’ve got to know the alphabet before you can read, and God tells Job, “You don’t even know the ABCs of heaven, much less the vocabulary”. For the first time Job is quiet.” Job’s reply comes in chapter 40 verse 4, “Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer you? I lay my hand over my mouth.”

 

What is the take away or the point to this today. Perhaps you and I need to just “put our hand over our mouth and be still in order to find God’s presence in order to hear Him speak and direct our lives” (Have I said I enjoy the way Max Lucado writes?!). Psalm 46:10 tells us to, ”Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”  The Hebrew for “Be still” is translated to means “let go”; you and I are to let go of anything that keeps you from exalting God and giving Him His proper place in your life.

 

I give Max Lucado the last word. “Psalm 46:10 ends with a promise. When you are still, you will ‘know that I am God.’ In the midst of your daily storms, make it a point to be still and set your sights on Him. Let God be God. Let Him bathe you in His glory so that both your breath and your troubles are sucked from your soul. Be still. Be quiet. Then you will know that God is God.” I add to that my interpretation: you will know God is still on His throne and in control of all things