“Have you visited the storehouses of the snow
or seen the storehouses of hail?
(Job 38:22 NLT)
“Can you shout to the clouds
and make it rain?
(Job 38:34 NLT)
Observation
Wow. Finally. Verse after verse of Job’s laments. Verse after verse of ineffective response by Job’s friends. Let’s face it—I *am* part of the microwave generation—one who regularly wishes people would just get to the point—who often wonders even if there *is* a point when someone rambles on and on and on (like, say, now)!
And finally, God speaks. The Lord answers Job from the whirlwind. And God’s answer to Job’s questions consists of a delightfully pummeling series of questions for which Job has no answers—for which none of us have any answers! How can it feel so good to be so powerfully put in your place?
I write as a guy who cares not at all for winter weather. And by the way, did I mention I don’t like winter weather? I haven’t enjoyed surviving this Kansas winter, what with sub-zero temperatures and five-foot snow drifts.
But I do find it fascinating to think that every snowflake that blankets the countryside—you know, those tiny, little specks that stack to become the heaps of miserable snow we’ve had to shovel off our drives, those layers and drifts of wretched snow that have needed to be pushed off of parking lots and roadways—every single snowflake is not only unique, but beautifully so. Who can match that? Who can match that?
I love the image of a guy standing in the middle of nowhere, shouting at the clouds, commanding them to rain. What a wonderfully preposterous image! And yet, how often do we seek to control that over which we have no control—to direct that which will not be directed!
Much too often, we live with an arrogant mirage of control—some foolish notion that things are “under control” (finances, relationships, whatever), when…well, perhaps they are under control—but not under ours! God’s questions to Job remind me again of His greatness, and my smallness.
4 comments:
I tried to post yesterday, for some reason didn't get sent. I was saying (in much more words than now, maybe I needed to "shut up and listen" Job 40:5, message) that I thought Elihu was getting more ridiculous as he spoke, adding his two cents in where he thought it fit into God's plan. One of the things I liked the most of Elihu's response, however, was how he describes the omnipotence of God. Beautiful! Certainly set Job up for what was coming.
I agree with you pastor I think I have things under control when really I dont its God that has them under control and I like it finally that God answers Job and his friends and tells them He is in control of all things and that nothing gets by Him. praise God so much that He is in control He makes the sun to rise another day and brings the rain too Glory to His name forever and ever.
God is my maker, my reason for being here. He controls everything. I just wish i could figure out what He has instore for me.
Isn't it Awesome that God's showing up was enough to answer all the questions and fears Job Had. All God had to do was appear in a whirlwind and Job didn't need any answers to any of the questions asked. It's Like he said suddenly, "OH". Gods presence is reassuring and more than enough for me. Amen.
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