SCRIPTURE: Job 38-42 “I spoke about things I didn’t completely understand. I talked about things that were too wonderful for me to know.” (Job 42:3)
This will be the chorus of all humanity when they finally stand before God.
How often we spout our religious opinions as if we are in a position to really know.
The truth of God is so much greater and deeper than our finite minds can comprehend.
I am not saying that we can’t understand anything about God, but that what we do understand is always limited.
Whatever we say or think about God, or the ways of God, will always be only barely scraping the surface.
Whether it be atheistic attacks on God or systematic theologies on God, they both speak of things too wonderful for us to know.
God wants us to speak to Him, and about Him, but through it all we need to remain humble.
The lesson in this book is that neither the religious (Job’s friends) nor the pious (Job) got it totally right.
We need to hold our theology lightly, humbly, always aware that we’re talking about things too wonderful for us to fully know.
And to those who are convinced that they are ‘orthodox’, that their doctrines and their denominations have got God right, you may want to start rehearsing these words of Job now, for you will be singing them too.
“I spoke about things I didn’t completely understand. I talked about things that were too wonderful for me to know.” (Job 42:3)
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
God, forgive me for putting You in a box, and for thinking my thoughts about You are correct. I gladly confess now that I don’t completely understand You, that You are too wonderful for me to comprehend.
Observations/Application
There is my view, your view and God’s view. Which is the right view? And the answer is – God’s.
This came t me as soon as God spoke to Job out of the storm – ‘Who is this that obscures My plans with words without knowledge?’ And that brings me to the Hew Testament – seeing through a glass darkly. Today I think I may know but one day, my vision will be made whole. Then I will know and understand God’s Way.
Knowing that God is Goad and man is mere man, why do we act and decide that we know the Way when we deal with God’s people? Man always insists upon his own way which is not God’s Way. Even when the children of Israel had Moses as an intercessor they still went their own way. Am I any different?
I remember a constant refrain from Norm “Where did you see God today?’ Do I see His might power and awesome deeds, His majesty, His creative ability, His Godness each day anew. I must WWJD – think what Jesus would do before I take action. God’s Way is the Way.
Prayer
Help me each day anew Lord to live in the Way. Your will be done in all I do and say. Lead me and guide me by Your Spirit in the Way also today.
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Thou art the Potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after Thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still.
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Search me and try me, Master, today!
Whiter than snow, Lord, wash me just now,
As in Thy presence humbly I bow.
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Wounded and weary, help me, I pray!
Power, all power, surely is Thine!
Touch me and heal me, Savior divine.
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Hold o’er my being absolute sway!
Fill with Thy Spirit ’till all shall see
Christ only, always, living in me.
I think Norm has hit the nail on the head with his comments. We will all be surprised at what we thought to be truth. Our grasp of God, and religion are all twisted and affected by mankind’s interpretation. We only see dimly now, but one day we will see face to face.
I pray that I can humbly accept that my version of God and religion is quite wrong. I pray that I will be willing to learn and understand the greatness and awe of his majesty and power.