PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Job 38-40
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Who is this that obscures my plans with words without knowledge?” (Job 38:2)
We know so much more than when these words were first written.
And yet, considering the vastness of the universe, we still know so little.
God’s question sounds to me like, ‘just who do you think you are?’
I feel the same way about how we talk today – about God and reality.
Many theologians talk about God as if they know everything about God.
Many scientists talk about reality as if they know everything.
We have many theories and ideas, even good ones, but they’re still limited.
We need to reach the point where we speak humbly about what we think.
Because in the end, we are all guilty of obscuring the truth.
I have a lot of respect for both science and theology.
But I have a greater respect for God and for reality.
We cannot measure the universe, and we definitely cannot measure God.
We can notice things, and observe patterns, and propose theories…
But beware of concluding that we fully know… words without knowledge!
PRAYER
Lord, I bow before the mystery of God, and you, and creation. Thank you that I may enjoy all of this, even if I don’t understand it all!
Amazing sovereign God – what a litany of God’s creative power! Yes who can stand under the righteous authority of the creator? And we as mankind to do this, as God raises the question to Job: “Would you condemn me to justify yourself?” And God is right to “look at all who are proud and humble them”. Job is humbled and he is immediately contrite. I may be angry at God because of something – someone whose life has been taken too soon – but I am humbled – and I trust that my God cares and knows what is best and He does listen to me – as He was listening to Job and his ‘companions’ who failed to console him. Who am I to think that I might have the ‘mind’ of God – no better to ask Him and respect the way He responds to me!
Our God is a mighty, majestic God Who created the world in which I live. Only with open eyes I may see His presence in all that He created but with my limited knowledge only stand amazed at His presence in the creation and how all things came to be. I stand in awe.
In the stars His handiwork I see
On the wind He speaks with majesty
Tho’ He ruleth over land and sea
What is that to me
I will celebrate nativity
For it has a place in history
Sure He came to set His people free
What is that to me
‘Til by faith I met Him face to face
And I felt the wonder of His grace
Then I knew that He was more
Than just a God who didn’t care
That lived away out there
And now He walks beside me day by day
Ever watching o’er me lest I stray
Helping me to find that narrow way
He’s ev’rything to me (repeat 2x’s)