Highlights In Today's Reading:
God speaks out of the whirlwind! God also expects answers to His questions (40:2). Notice how God answers Job.
Elihu was interrupted by the storm which had been gathering during his speech. Suddenly the voice of God was heard out of the whirlwind and the accusations from the ultimate know-it-all came to an end.
God's faithfulness to His people often comes like a storm, but the Lord is in the storm, and He speaks from it just as He answered Job's grief from his whirlwind. Day after day, Job was left to wonder why he experienced all the disasters, but there was not even the slightest word to explain his suffering.
Then the Lord answered Job (38:1). The Voice from the whirlwind offered neither explanation of the mystery of his past sufferings nor promise of future restoration. God did not explain that Satan was the source of all Job's suffering and that it was all within His permissive will for Job's ultimate good.
In chapters 38-41 God revealed His greatness, power, and majesty, through His creation. He will reveal His very best to all who will trust Him. These chapters also show how confident one can be to trust God regardless of circumstances. This revelation of God was given Job after he had faith to say: Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him (13:15).
Satan's slanderous accusations were proven false, and the devil was defeated. Under fierce temptation, Job proved the genuineness of his devotion to God.
Faith is trusting God even when we don't understand. When we consider the greatness of God's wisdom, we too will recognize our insufficiency to know what is best and will trust God to direct our lives. To point this out, God said to Job: Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades [the 7 stars that stood for the 7 influences of spring], or loose the bands of Orion [that stood for the storms]? . . . Canst thou lift up thy voice to the clouds, that abundance of waters may cover thee? Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go, and say unto thee, here we are? . . . Doth the eagle mount up at thy command, and make her nest on high? . . . Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct Him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it (38:31,34-35;39:27; 40:2).
When we consider the greatness of God's wisdom, we recognize how unfit we are to understand God's ways. Those who see God's hand controlling everything are enabled to leave everything in His hands.
Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen (Revelation 7:12).
Thought for Today:
When our world turns upside down and everything and everyone seems to be against us, God has promised that He would never leave us.
Christ Revealed:
As the One who laid the foundations of the earth (Job 38:4). By Christ, God created our universe (Hebrews 1:1-2). All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made (John 1:1-3).
Word Studies:
38:9 swaddlingband =b> wrapping; 38:12 dayspring =b> dawn; 39:9 unicorn =b> wild ox; 40:21 fens =b> marshes.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Shortwave Radio Broadcasts sponsored by Mr. & Mrs. Charles Ditmars and Mildred Parreno; Arabic International Shortwave Radio Broadcasts sponsored by Eleanor Gersiek; English International Shortwave Radio Broadcasts sponsored by Mr. & Mrs. Charles Barrett and Esmine Pinkney • Staff: Barbara Jean Loyd • Country: Taiwan, Republic of China (22 million) 77 islands off the southeastern coast of Red China • Major language: Mandarin Chinese • Religious freedom • 80% "Chinese Religions" (Buddhist/Taoist/Confucian); 4% Christianity; .2% Muslim; 14% Atheist; 1.8% Other • Prayer Suggestion: Offering praise and thanks to God is a sacrifice pleasing to Him (Hebrews 13:15).
Optional Reading: Philippians 1
Memory Verse for the Week: 2 Corinthians 3:18