In our worship gatherings last Sunday, we explored how God showed up near the end of the Book of Job! It’s an exciting turn, as Job and his friends finally hope to get real answers for their burning questions related to suffering, justice, etc.
However, when God begins to speak, we don’t see Him apologizing, or defending His decisions, or even an explanation. In an ironic twist, God begins by asking questions of Job:
Job 38:2-3 “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me. Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?..."
For two whole chapters, God guides Job on a magnificent tour of creation, looking at weather, nature, and creatures (view our dramatic reading of this passage). The implied answer to God’s questions of Job is this: Job is a tiny human being who can’t possibly measure up to the universe’s Creator. His human mind literally can’t comprehend the reasons behind God’s universal, eternal, infinitely complex plans. Even if He could understand, Job doesn’t have the right to demand answers from God. By the end of this encounter, Job recognizes he’s spoken out of turn.
Job 40:4-5 “Then Job answered the Lord and said: ‘Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth. I have spoken once, and I will not answer; twice, but I will proceed no further.’”
Job not only learned his place, but stepped into action based on his new understanding of God. He surrendered to God’s wisdom, and yielded to God’s control. This humble response to the Creator of the Universe is a great model for us to learn from.
So, as you reflect on your own life, how might God be calling you to surrender? What does yielding to God’s wisdom and control look like in your life this week? What might he be calling to relinquish? What challenges are you called to pursue? Set aside to some time and pray for courage…then step into action!
God teaches us through Scripture how we are embodied beings: He designed us to be both immaterial (consciousness) and physical simultaneously. As you ponder what it means to view God with reverence and surrender to Him, explore some new postures to embody these ideas! Christians throughout history have bowed heads, raised hands, kneeled, bowed, or even lay their face to the ground to express how great and holy God is. None of these are magical formulas to tap into spiritual power. They’re simply ways we connect with God, who gives us power to overcome life’s challenges as He chooses (Matthew 7:9-11). Try some new postures as you talk with God this week!
If you’d like to explore further with these ideas and more, check out the great resources on our Revive webpages at neighborhoodchurch.com. Our church is currently exploring the Book of Job together this season, and it’s been a great journey of learning how to navigate troubled times together! See more resources from this #WhyMe series.
Learning alongside you,
Kerry Kaufman
