“Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said: “Who is this who darkens counsel By words without knowledge? Moreover the Lord answered Job, and said: ‘ “Shall the one who contends with the Almighty correct Him? He who rebukes God, let him answer it.” ‘ Then Job answered the Lord and said: ‘ “Behold, I am vile; What shall I answer You? I lay my hand over my mouth. Once I have spoken, but I will not answer; Yes, twice, but I will proceed no further.” ‘ . . . Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me: ‘ “Would you indeed annul My judgment? Would you condemn Me that you may be justified? Have you an arm like God? Or can you thunder with a voice like His? Then adorn yourself with majesty and splendor, And array yourself with glory and beauty. Disperse the rage of your wrath; Look on everyone who is proud, and humble him. Look on everyone who is proud, and bring him low; Tread down the wicked in their place. Hide them in the dust together, Bind their faces in hidden darkness. Then I will also confess to you That your own right hand can save you. . . . “Look now at the behemoth, which I made along with you; He eats grass like an ox. . . . Can you draw out Leviathan with a hook, Or snare his tongue with a line which you lower? . . . No one is so fierce that he would dare stir him up. Who then is able to stand against Me? Who has preceded Me, that I should pay him? Everything under heaven is Mine” (Job 40:1-15; 41:1, 10, 11).
Dear Heavenly Father, we enter Your holy Presence mindful of the fact that we have nothing to offer You that is worthy of You! You created us, and only You can save us. Therefore, “teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” We pray in the blessed and holy name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
We have come to what was supposed to be our last devotional of this series. However, I was impressed that an epilogue, would be in order, so we will have one more conversation in this series.
Today, God is responding to Job. This is the day Job has longed for. “If I could only talk to God myself! I would convince Him that I am innocent!” Perhaps some of us have felt the same way. Perhaps we too have questions about situations in our lives. I know I have some. Beyond the shadow of a doubt, I believe that God would deal with each of us, according to our individual needs. I would greatly appreciate hearing from you on this subject!
We have heard God speak to Job before, on two occasions in this series. Once on the subject of life. On another occasion, of His control over the laws of nature. In today’s devotional, we will listen to Him as He speaks of His transcendence.
Notice first of all, how God makes His appearance to Job, out of a whirlwind! A column of air that is both forceful and fast, moving forward! That would get my attention! This was one of those moments in life when God in His omnipotence decides to speak with power! There are the Elijah moments of fire from heaven (1 Kings 18:38); and the Elijah moments of the still small voice (1 Kings 19:11-13).
God knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows what we need for Him to get our attention, and He knows what we need to calm our fears. And in His infinite love and mercy, He will do whatever is needed, to help us, not harm us! Praise His holy Name!
Today, the voices of Job’s friends have been silenced, as God speaks. I will not attempt to convey in my words, what God is saying. Therefore, in our Scripture for today, I have put in bold some of God’s statements that I consider are so filled with awe and power, they deserve a second look. Now, I will share with you the impact these statement made on my own life, as I pondered them.
I have said to God in my moments of deepest pain, “God, I would have done this differently.” I cannot correct my ABBA! For HE IS GOD, ALL BY HIMSELF! In my situation, I believe I was more willing to annul the effects of what had happened. In no way has it ever ocurred to me to condemn God. Never!
Sometimes I have wondered what God looks like! Not that it matters. I love Him for who He is, and my poor finite mind can’t even grasp that! But just imagine seeing Him face to face, in all His majesty and splendor! In all His glory and beauty! I will bow before my ABBA in deepest reverence!
Like the songwriter, I echo these words, “Face to face with Christ my Savior, Face to face what will it be, When with rapture I behold Him, Jesus Christ, who died for me? (Mrs. Frank A. Breck). For now, I can only imagine the glory of the moment! I can hardly wait!
I cannot speak for others, but I am so relieved, and I feel so free, knowing that my salvation is in God’s hand, and not mine! I know, that by His grace, I will be saved, because Jesus paid it all!
Thank God, Jesus is my All in All! He who is without beginning or end, can save me to the uttermost! He is my Creator and my Redeemer, and He is mine! Hallelujah!
You too, can believe in Him, and be blessed!
NOTE: This devotional was for yesterday, February 19.