"Connecting the Dots? Not Always..."

Scripture Passage For Today

JOB 22:1-25:6

Scripture Focus

13 But once he has made his decision, who can change his mind?
       Whatever he wants to do, he does.
                                                 (Job 23:13 NLT)

Observation

The language of Job’s accusers grows stronger than ever. At first, it seems, Job’s friends have attempted to kindly assert that perhaps there’s some sin—some offense against God—that Job has somehow overlooked; that if Job would just examine his life again, he would discover the error of his ways, and could repent, and be restored.

The more firmly Job asserts his innocence, however, the more strongly his friends suggest otherwise—until it’s no longer a suggestion, but an outright indictment! Listen to chapter 22:4-5…

4 Is it because you’re so pious that he accuses you
       and brings judgment against you?
5 No, it’s because of your wickedness!
       There’s no limit to your sins.
                                                 (Job 22:4-5 NLT)

Job’s response is a study in honest conversation with God.

Job affirms God’s awareness of his life, and affirms the purity of that life…

10 “But he knows where I am going.
       And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold.
                                                (Job 23:10 NLT)

Job affirms the authority of God to ultimately do as He pleases…

13 But once he has made his decision, who can change his mind?
       Whatever he wants to do, he does.
                                                (Job 23:13 NLT)

Job questions why evil seems to persist without judgment from God…

1 “Why doesn’t the Almighty bring the wicked to judgment?
       Why must the godly wait for him in vain?
                                                (Job 24:1 NLT)

But Job ultimately affirms the empty destiny of the wicked:

24 And though they are great now,
       in a moment they will be gone like all others,
       cut off like heads of grain.
                                                (Job 24:24 NLT)

The thing is, for all the conversation with God, Job reaches no real conclusions. He only is able—at this point—to declare things he knows to be true.

That’s a frustrating place to be. I’ve been there many times. Only able to say to God, “I know *this* is true, and *this* is true, and *this* is true…but I don’t really know where that leaves me! I don’t yet know the conclusion I’m to draw from that! I know what I know…but not all I *want* to know!”

I’m thinking today that perhaps this is the point a person has to get to before any hope of a solid conclusion can be reached. This is part of the process, part of the journey, of a growing understanding of God and His ways. That before any conclusions about God can be secure, all the pillars on which they stand need to be tested and affirmed. And it’s possible that, plenty of times, we’ll not quite understand how the dots connect—only that the dots are true. When that happens, I wish to agree with Job:

13 But once he has made his decision, who can change his mind?
       Whatever he wants to do, he does.
                                               (Job 23:13 NLT)

For me, that’s not a complaint about a capricious God, it's an affirmation about a sovereign God.  And though sometimes I wish the dots connected better—or at least I saw how they connected better, ultimately, I'm both glad I'm not the one in charge, and glad I know the One who is.