"You Can't Handle My Job" January 11 Readings: Job 38-42

Today's Reading - Job 38-42

Background

We come today to the happy ending of the painful story of Job. It is easy to get the wrong idea. Yes, God restores Job and gives him a "double portion" of what was taken from him. But this book is not about how to get back the stuff that hard times have taken. It isn't about material things or even overcoming trials.

It is about a man coming to a right understanding of God and of his place in God's world. Job began with a love for God but a lousy understanding of him. By chapter 42 he has encountered the living God and everything has changed. That is the book of Job - learning who God is and how he works!

Devotional - You Can't Handle My Job

We live in a seriously messed up world. Sin. Perversion. Racism. A justice system that is often a travesty. War and terrorism. It is a sad, sick, sorrowful world that our sin and rebellion against God has created.

And in the middle of this, many ask the question, "Where is God?" Why does he allow this to happen? Why does he permit that injustice? This tragedy? Why do the evil prosper and the righteous suffer? This world defies explanation.

But sometimes there is an even more personal question we ask. "Where were you, God, when I needed you?" Why did you stop this? Why did you let that happen? We know that God is both sovereign and good, but our circumstances often make it appear impossible for both to be true.

These were the kinds of questions Job was asking throughout his story. After God allowed Satan to take away everything precious in Job's life, he was confused. Why did God let this happen? His friends chimed in and told him it was karma, his own fault. What goes around comes around. Job got increasingly angry at them, and life, and even God, as he protested that view. He had done nothing that would necessitate God stepping in with such extreme judgment. In the middle of their argument, Elihu showed up and proclaimed the truth of God's glory, justice and goodness. He did not try to explain all that God had done, but he did defend the righteousness of God. It helped - the proclamation of truth is always the beginning of healing.

But it is chapter 38 when the real healing begins. That is when God stepped in. God spoke directly to Job and the entire situation changed. It is when we have a direct encounter with God that our lives begin to change.

What is interesting is that God makes no attempt to explain himself. He has listened as Job has challenged his goodness and his justice. Now, in 38:2-3, he says the tables are turned and he is going to ask the questions.

Who is this who obscures my counsel
with ignorant words? Get ready to answer me like a man;
when I question you, you will inform me.

His message is simple. He questions Job. Can you create? Can you manage creation? Do you know what is going on in this world at all times?

What is God saying? He is reminding Job that there is a God and Job isn't him. God has a strength and power we cannot understand.

God is not bullying Job, saying, "I'm bigger than you. Shut up and do as I say." No, God is reminding Job that he is big and strong and powerful, that he knows what Job does not know and can do what Job never could. His message to Job is simple:

I am God. Trust me. I know what I'm doing even when you don't understand my works. 

In chapter 40, he challenges Job, in verses 7-9.

Get ready to answer me like a man;
When I question you, you will inform me.Would you really challenge my justice?
Would you declare me guilty to justify yourself?Do you have an arm like God’s?
Can you thunder with a voice like his?

Do not demand to be God if you can't handle the job. And you can't handle the job! This world would be an utter mess if I were in charge. God is God. My job is not to tell him what to do or how to do it. My job is to submit to him, serve him, glorify him and seek him. 

That was the message of God to Job. Job, you can't see it, you don't understand it, but I'm still on the throne. I've got it under control. I'm handling it! I will glorify myself and produce your ultimate spiritual good through this. Just trust me. Don't try to figure out my sovereign plan, just trust me. Don't tell me what to do, just trust me. Don't question my justice, just trust me. 

Father, help me to trust you always, even when I do not understand your actions. 

Think and Pray

Do you find yourself sometimes trying to tell God what he ought to do?
Or are you willing to trust God and let him run the world - even if you don't understand and even if things are hard?