This week, Joe and I spent hours working through a school situation with one of our kids. There have been differing stories. As we’ve prayed for wisdom and truth to be revealed, it still hasn’t been clear exactly what happened. I want all the people involved to be able to know and believe the truth! I realize that might not happen. In acknowledging God’s sovereignty over the situation, I want to trust God with the outcome.
When Job finally hears from God, he doesn’t get all his questions answered, either. Instead, throughout Job chapters 38-41, the All-knowing and Almighty God details out various aspects of Creation that only He understands and controls. I imagine He spoke with a majestic and thunderous voice through the storm!
In response, Job spoke briefly in the middle
and at the end of God’s discourse.
Job 40:1-10 The Lord said
to Job:
2 “Will the
one who contends with the Almighty correct him?
Let him who accuses God answer him!”
3 Then Job answered the Lord:
4 “I am
unworthy—how can I reply to you?
I put my hand over my mouth.
5 I spoke once, but I have no answer—
twice, but I will say no more.”
6 Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm:
7 “Brace
yourself like a man;
I will question you,
and you shall answer me.
8 “Would
you discredit my justice?
Would you condemn me to justify yourself?
9 Do you have an arm like God’s,
and can your voice thunder like his?
10 Then adorn yourself with glory and splendor,
and clothe yourself in honor and majesty…
Job 42:1-6 Then Job
replied to the Lord:
2 “I know
that you can do all things;
no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
3 You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without
knowledge?’
Surely I spoke of things I did not understand,
things too wonderful for me to know.
4 “You
said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak;
I will question you,
and you shall answer me.’
5 My ears had heard of you
but now my eyes have seen you.
6 Therefore I despise myself
and repent in dust and ashes.”
Job rightly and humbly acknowledged God’s might, sovereignty, and wisdom! His only response was that of worship and repentance. He asked no further questions. He knew God was real, active, powerful, and in control.
In Joe’s and my situation with our kid, we can humbly acknowledge our rightful place before God, too. He’s aware of the situation, in control and can be trusted with the outcome. Instead of focusing on the resolution we want, we can ask God to help us and our kids humbly learn, grow and move forward for His purposes.
