I was first drawn to the Book of Job after reading Chapter
38 when God revealed His awesome sovereignty and power through questions to
Job. I was thrilled listening to God tell of His great creation of everything
from the earth’s foundation to the storehouses of snow to mountain goats to the
majestic eagle. I have a Sunday School quarterly study book that I have kept for
decades because of the powerful instruction in it regarding this great book.
Tony Evans wrote: “This book is critical to Scripture
because it deals with one of the hardest realities of life: God often seems
silent when we are doing our best to please Him and yet experience suffering .
. . One of the key truths to grasp from the book of Job is that we must trust God
even when we cannot understand Him, even when He is thoroughly confusing to
us. The central statement in the book is
one of Job’s closing comments to God: ‘I had heard reports about You, but now
my eyes have seen You.’” 42:5
It can be tedious moving through the chapters of
conversation between Job and his three friends. But with a good commentary you
can follow through with understanding.
Some may dwell on Job’s wife and her statement to him in
chapter 2, verse 9: “His wife said to him, ‘Are you still maintaining your
integrity? Curse God and die!’” But the book is so much
more than that.
Job realized after being grilled by God that he had no
answer for the God of the universe. He was unworthy to speak to Him. In 42:5-6
Job said: “My ears had heard of You but now my eyes have seen You. Therefore, I
despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.”
And, therein, lies the point. Our God is superior to all
things, knows all thing, and created all things. He is in control of all things,
and His masterful plan for the universe and our individual life is certain and
known to Him since the beginning of time.
Whatever we go through here on this earth, God has ordained
for us and will see us through.
No one can contend with God. He is God. The maker of all
things. He is good. The giver of all things. He is love. The lover of you and
me.
Job 23:10 is another verse well known: “But He knows the way
that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.” Job
expresses his unwavering trust in God’s sovereignty and his belief that this
season of suffering will ultimately lead to a deeper understanding of God’s
purposes. God is aware of our struggles and is with us every step of the way.
If you’ve never read Job, it’s time you do. Grab your Bible.
Get a commentary. Sit down for an exciting experience. The Book of Job. Where
God shows His majesty and glory.
By His Grace . . .
No comments:
Post a Comment