Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
May 7, 2022
Read Job 38:1-11
1 Then the LORD answered Job from the whirlwind: 2 Who is this darkening counsel with words lacking knowledge? 3 Prepare yourself like a man; I will interrogate you, and you will respond to me. 4 Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundations? Tell me if you know. 5 Who set its measurements? Surely you know. Who stretched a measuring tape on it? 6 On what were its footings sunk; who laid its cornerstone, 7 while the morning stars sang in unison and all the divine beings shouted? 8 Who enclosed the Sea behind doors when it burst forth from the womb, 9 when I made the clouds its garment, the dense clouds its wrap, 10 when I imposed my limit for it, put on a bar and doors 11 and said, “You may come this far, no farther; here your proud waves stop”?
Good Morning, The Lord, God, made everything! Hallelujah!
Prior to these verses, Job has put God to the test by asking God to show his friends, that he, Job, is righteous and that his current afflictions are not because of anything that he has done. Beginning with chapter 38, God begins to answer Job. Only Job is addressed and only he can hear God. God begins his response by stating his credentials as we read today. God asks Job, 'Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge?'
For a moment I see the Wizard of Oz with all the lights and a big voice asking Dorothy and her companions “Who dares to disturb the great and powerful Wizard of Oz?” I always loved Dorothy’s response, “It is I, Dorothy, the small and meek.” What a great example of humbling yourself before one who is greater than you. Of course, in the case of the Wizard, being great was only a false perception behind which the Wizard was hiding. Perhaps Job could have come to God in such a manner.
What is the lesson that we learn from Job? Throughout the period of affliction, Job remained faithful to God and lifted up the greatness of God. Job continually states that he has done nothing wrong. In that time, people believed that afflictions like Job were experiencing came from living a sinful life. Remember, the story when Jesus is asked, “who sinned to cause the man’s blindness?”
Again, back to Dorothy for a moment, Job needed to humble himself before God. Because of his continued belief, God allowed Job to ask many questions so that he could “see” God’s omnipotence. Through this process, Job learned that he must trust God plan’s for his life. Trusting fully without question is still one of the greatest challenges that we face today. It’s easy to say, I believe you God, but just let me . . . I’ll let you fill in the blank.
I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. - Jeremiah 29:11
Loving and Gracious God, Thank You for loving us. May we grow in trust each day that we live. Thank You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: I will trust God’s good plan for my life.
TRUST GOD! Pastor Liz
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