Day Thirty-two

“Who is this that darkens my counsel with
words without knowledge?” (Job 38:2)

Scripture Reading: Job 38:1–41; 40:1–5

By any chance have you recently forgotten that God is God? Like Job and his counselors, have you ever received a fresh reality check from God? I have! When God sees me becoming a little too presumptuous, He carefully reestablishes our roles.

My children would probably be glad to know I’ve had a taste of my own medicine. You see, on a far smaller scale, I’ve been on the other side of this conflict for control. I have a very strong-willed child who, in her mother’s biased opinion, is one of the most wonderful creatures God ever placed upon this earth. As dearly as I love her, every couple of months, almost like clockwork, we go around the bend. She was born a leader and began practicing her skills on our family immediately. We frequently have to reestablish who is boss.

Usually my precious daughter remains within acceptable boundaries. Her slightly presumptuous personality is rather endearing and often hilarious—but gradually she begins the next coup attempt. It starts with a little attitude. Left alone, the attitude morphs into full-blown audacity that leads to the inevitable blowup—usually mine.

The explosion always comes with the same words: “Now hear this: I am your mother. I AM YOUR BOSS. GOT THAT?” She bursts into tears, probably writes me a mean letter I never see, tells her Daddy on me (who later laughs at us), sleeps on it, and awakens the next morning as gentle as a lamb. Okay—maybe a goat—but the cutest goat you’ve ever seen. And we start all over.

I believe God sometimes experiences a similar tug-of-war with us. He loves us with all His heart and finds us extremely endearing. Yes, even hilarious at times. Then we begin our attempted coups—we want to take over. How does it start? Like it starts with my daughter. We start with a little attitude. Then the attitude finds its way out of our mouths. That’s when God says something like, “Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge?” I would say: “You don’t know what you’re talking about.” If unchecked, the attitude turns into full-blown audacity, at which point we can be pretty certain God will deal with us—not like a wicked judge but like a loving parent, intent on rearing a respectful child.

Look back over the questions God asked His temporarily presumptuous son, Job, in chapter 38. Which was your personal favorite? Memorize it as I memorize mine—and every time the Spirit of God convicts us of audacity, let’s imagine hearing the same question straight from His lips. Sometimes when God asserts His “God-ness” to pull us back into proper bounds, we get our feelings hurt and throw a fit. Then, if He really owns our hearts, we return to Him with a fresh meekness, as gentle as a lamb—or maybe a goat—but a cute goat.