9 July 14, Wednesday Asking Different Questions Read: Job 38:1-11 Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth?—Job 38:4a When tragedy strikes, questions follow. Our loss of a loved one may lead us to ask God any number of pointed questions: “Why did You let this happen?” “Whose fault was this?” “Don’t You care about my pain?” Believe me, as the grieving father of a teenager who died tragically I have asked these very questions. The book of Job records the questions Job asks as he sits down with friends to lament his suffering. He had lost his family as well as his health and possessions. At one point, he asks, “Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery, and life unto the bitter in soul;” (3:20). Later, he asks, “What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is mine end, that I should prolong my life?” (6:11). And, “Is it good unto thee that thou shouldest oppress,” (10:3). Many have stood near a headstone placed too early and asked similar questions. But when you read all the way to the end of the book, you get a surprise. When God responds to Job (chs. 38–41), He does it in an unexpected way. He turns the tables and asks Job questions—different questions that show His wisdom and sovereignty. Questions about His magnificent creation—the earth, stars, and sea. And the questions all point to this: God is sovereign. God is all-powerful. God is love. And God knows what He is doing. We comprehend Him not, - Yet earth and heaven tell, God sits as sovereign on the throne, - And ruleth all things well. —Gerhardt Our greatest comfort in sorrow is to know that God is in control. Insight Our familiarity with the story of Job may cause us to overlook some of the significant aspects of his story. It is important to notice the unity of the book of Job. The wisdom, power, and control that God asks Job to consider in chapters 38–41 is the same wisdom, power, and control we read about in the opening chapters when God allows Satan to turn Job’s life upside down and inside out. We should not disconnect God’s wisdom seen in the world around us from the wisdom with which He works in our lives. Job 38:1-11 1 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, 2 Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? 3 Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me. 4 Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. 5 Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? 6 Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; 7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? 8 Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb? 9 When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddlingband for it, 10 And brake up for it my decreed place, and set bars and doors, 11 And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed? Psalm 119:71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes. Job, David, the Apostle Paul - all learned that afflictions can indeed be good - in fact - WE KNOW - all things work together for good to them that love God. We need to learn from Job that God does know what He is doing and that we can trust Him no matter what. Psalm 9:1-2, 9-11, 20 1 I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works. 2 I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High. 9 The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. 10 And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee. 11 Sing praises to the LORD, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings. 20 Put them in fear, O LORD: that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah. God let Job know who was large and in charge. Every man, woman, boy, and girl needs to learn the fear of the LORD. He is the Almighty - He is in absolute control!!! He reigns supreme as LORD God Almighty - Creator, Sustainer, Saviour - immortal and eternal. Psalm 39:4-5, 7, 12-13 4 LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is: that I may know how frail I am. 5 Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah. 7 And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee. 12 Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were. 13 O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more. We are feeble and frail --- God is all powerful and strong. Job knew it --- and learned it Psalm 69:1-3, 13-17 1 Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul. 2 I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me. 3 I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God. 13 But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O LORD, in an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation. 14 Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink: let me be delivered from them that hate me, and out of the deep waters. 15 Let not the waterflood overflow me, neither let the deep swallow me up, and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me. 16 Hear me, O LORD; for thy lovingkindness is good: turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies. 17 And hide not thy face from thy servant; for I am in trouble: hear me speedily. Psalm 99:5, 9 5 Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy. 9 Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the LORD our God is holy. Psalm 129:1-3, 8 1 Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth, may Israel now say: 2 Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth: yet they have not prevailed against me. 3 The plowers plowed upon my back: they made long their furrows. 8 Neither do they which go by say, The blessing of the LORD be upon you: we bless you in the name of the LORD. Job and Jesus endured intense affliction and suffering. Jesus - God in the flesh understands any trouble we endure. He is acquainted with our grief. What a friend we have in Jesus all our sins and grief to bear - what a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer. No matter the situation - God is in control and working for our good and His glory Proverbs 9:6, 9-11 6 Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding. 9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. 10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. 11 For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased. Be wise like Job and learn that you can always learn more about God. Job learned humility and got more wisdom ---- and the surprise was that after that (Job 38-41) we see Job 42:1-10 --- Job gets everything back doubled and he and his wife have 10 more children too and a good long life. Ask God questions and learn like Job who God is
Posted on: Thu, 10 Jul 2014 00:18:34 +0000
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