Today’s Reading: Job 17-22; Psalm 40
My days are over.
My hopes have disappeared.
My heart’s desires are broken. — Job 17:11
Have you ever experienced this level of disappointment in the wisdom of God? No matter how much you want to trust God, it is difficult when our heart is not in alignment with the heart of God. We beg for one thing but do not receive it; we pray for one outcome and get another. As our hope fades, we must decide whether or not to trust that our God is still good — that our God is still great.
QUESTIONING THE GREATNESS OF GOD
God has blocked my way so I cannot move.
He has plunged my path into darkness.
He has stripped me of my honor
and removed the crown from my head.
He has demolished me on every side, and I am finished.
He has uprooted my hope like a fallen tree. – Job 19:8-10
Feeling alone in his misery, Job questioned the presence of God. Thinking he knew better, Job questioned the wisdom of God. What good could possibly come from all that the Lord was allowing to happen in Job’s life? Although he had been a faithful servant of God for years, it seems Job was still unaware of just how great His God was. Perhaps he began to see God as too far away to notice his pain — too distant to know what was best for Job.
“God is so great—higher than the heavens,
higher than the farthest stars.
But you reply, ‘That’s why God can’t see what I am doing!
How can he judge through the thick darkness?
For thick clouds swirl about him, and he cannot see us.
He is way up there, walking on the vault of heaven.’” – Job 22:12-14
Are you currently questioning the wisdom of God regarding a situation in your life? Are you arguing with God? Are you angry with Him? Do your current circumstances seem bigger than even God can solve? Let’s look at some verses in Job to consider just how awesome and wise our God is — how worthy He is of our trust even in the most difficult times.
LET US CONSIDER THAT GOD IS GREATER THAN WE CAN UNDERSTAND.
“Can you solve the mysteries of God?
Can you discover everything about the Almighty?
Such knowledge is higher than the heavens – and who are you?
It is deeper than the underworld – what do you know?
It is broader than the earth and wider than the sea?” – Job 11:7-9
“God stretches the northern sky over empty space and hangs the earth on nothing.
He wraps the rain in his thick clouds, and the clouds don’t burst with the weight.
He covers the face of the moon, shrouding it with clouds.
He created the horizon when he separated the waters; he set the boundary between day and night.
The foundations of heaven tremble; they shudder at his rebuke.
By his power the sea grew calm…
These are just the beginning of all that he does, merely a whisper of his power.
Who, then, can comprehend the thunder of his power?” – Job 26:7-12,14
“Look, God is all-powerful. Who is a teacher like him?
No one can tell him what to do, or say to him, ‘You have done wrong.’
Instead, glorify his mighty works, singing songs of praise…
Look, God is greater than we can understand. His years cannot be counted.” – Job 36:22-24,26
GOD, WE ACKNOWLEDGE THIS MORNING THAT YOU ARE GREATER THAN WE CAN COMPREHEND.
Lord, help us to simply rest in your wisdom, submitting to your greatness and to your authority in our lives. Give us the strength to let go of our need to understand and simply trust you. When the reality we are facing is as bitter as our morning coffee, Lord, we ask for the gift of faith and the ability to trust in order to sweeten up our perspective. Thank you for loving us patiently when we lack understanding. We love you back! Amen.
I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire.
He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.
He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see what he has done and be amazed.
They will put their trust in the Lord
Oh the joys of those who trust the Lord… – Psalm 40:1-4a
I have not kept the good news of your justice hidden in my heart;
I have talked about your faithfulness and saving power.
I have told everyone in the great assembly
of your unfailing love and faithfulness.
Lord, don’t hold back your tender mercies from me.
Let your unfailing love and faithfulness always protect me. – Psalm 40:10-11
But may all who search for you
be filled with joy and gladness in you.
May those who love your salvation
repeatedly shout, “The Lord is great!” – Psalm 40:16