LINK: Job 36 & 37
by Katrina
BACKGROUND
Elihu continues once more with his fourth speech. He stresses the majesty of God. God is eternal and beyond our comprehension. "Behold, God is exalted, and we do not know Him; the number of His years is unsearchable" (36:22). Elihu uses illustrations of nature to demonstrate God's sovereignty. If God is sovereign over all creation, and His wonders are beyond human explanation, then man really has nothing to tell God. Elihu cautions Job that maybe he doesn't really want a day in court with God.
"The Almighty -- we cannot find Him; He is exalted in power" (37:23). Yes, God is exalted and beyond our comprehension. But Elihu continues in the assumption that Job is suffering because of his unrighteousness and urges him to repent. "And He will not do violence to justice and abundant righteousness. Therefore men fear Him; He does not regard any who are wise of heart."
REFLECTION
Elihu is right - God is way above our comprehension. We cannot fully understand what He is doing or why He does things the way He does. God is sovereign over us, and we cannot fully understand it. "Man's steps are ordained by the Lord. How then can man understand his ways?" (Proverbs 20:24) and "The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps" (Prov 16:9). We make plans and act on them, but God is ultimately the one in control.
APPLICATION
Once we accept the fact that God is sovereign over all, we then have to deal with the questions in our minds of why He does what He does. This is where Job is. He wants an explanation from God.
It is very humbling for us to have to accept the fact that we aren't in control and can't make God do what we want. But it is even more difficult, I think, to let God be in control without demanding an explanation from Him. Instead, we have to learn to trust Him.
PRAYER
Lord, we know in our minds that you are the only sovereign God. You have control over all of creation and all that happens to us. Our hearts struggle to relinquish control and to trust that you are doing what's best. But you promise that you make all things work together for the good of your children who love you. (Romans 8:28-29) We can't fully understand your ways, because you are beyond our comprehension. Help us to learn to trust you rather than demand explanations from you. In the name of Jesus, amen.
by Katrina
BACKGROUND
Elihu continues once more with his fourth speech. He stresses the majesty of God. God is eternal and beyond our comprehension. "Behold, God is exalted, and we do not know Him; the number of His years is unsearchable" (36:22). Elihu uses illustrations of nature to demonstrate God's sovereignty. If God is sovereign over all creation, and His wonders are beyond human explanation, then man really has nothing to tell God. Elihu cautions Job that maybe he doesn't really want a day in court with God.
"The Almighty -- we cannot find Him; He is exalted in power" (37:23). Yes, God is exalted and beyond our comprehension. But Elihu continues in the assumption that Job is suffering because of his unrighteousness and urges him to repent. "And He will not do violence to justice and abundant righteousness. Therefore men fear Him; He does not regard any who are wise of heart."
REFLECTION
Elihu is right - God is way above our comprehension. We cannot fully understand what He is doing or why He does things the way He does. God is sovereign over us, and we cannot fully understand it. "Man's steps are ordained by the Lord. How then can man understand his ways?" (Proverbs 20:24) and "The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps" (Prov 16:9). We make plans and act on them, but God is ultimately the one in control.
APPLICATION
Once we accept the fact that God is sovereign over all, we then have to deal with the questions in our minds of why He does what He does. This is where Job is. He wants an explanation from God.
It is very humbling for us to have to accept the fact that we aren't in control and can't make God do what we want. But it is even more difficult, I think, to let God be in control without demanding an explanation from Him. Instead, we have to learn to trust Him.
PRAYER
Lord, we know in our minds that you are the only sovereign God. You have control over all of creation and all that happens to us. Our hearts struggle to relinquish control and to trust that you are doing what's best. But you promise that you make all things work together for the good of your children who love you. (Romans 8:28-29) We can't fully understand your ways, because you are beyond our comprehension. Help us to learn to trust you rather than demand explanations from you. In the name of Jesus, amen.
1 comment:
Thanks for posting Katrina! I don't have a lot of time to comment though!
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