Job 38-39 - The Sovereign Power of Our Providing God

It’s our greatest problem. We measure God in our own image. Thinking He is just like us, we limit God in our mind and the results are disastrous. As J.B. Phillips said, “Our God is too small.”

But throughout history God gives constant reminder that although we are made in His image, He is not made in ours. He is God. He is sovereign and rules over all. And, His power is incomprehensible.

JOB’S NEEDED CORRECTION

Job went through great trials. He kept trusting God, but as the days of difficulty wore on, He questioned God. God let him wallow in his self-pity for a season. But there came a moment when it was time, once again, to let Job see a greater picture of His King ... to remind his servant that God was the Creator and he was merely the creature.

GOD’S ANSWER

It is a beautiful mark of our Sovereign King that He condescends to speak to us. “Then the Lord answered Job” the Bible says (Job 38:1). He did not have to give such a direct response, but He did so for a man that He loved and cared for, and He will do so for us. He answers Job’s questions with a few questions of His own.

“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? (38:4)
“Who set its measurements ... or who laid its cornerstone? (38:6)
“Or who enclosed the sea with doors?” (38:8)
“Have you ever in your life commanded the morning, and caused the dawn to know its place? “(38:12)
“Who has put wisdom in the innermost being or given understanding to the mind? Who can count the clouds by wisdom, or tip the water jars of the heavens, when the dust hardens into a mass and the clods stick together?” (38:36-38)

Question after question, in Job 38 -39, God reminds Job of who He is and who Job is not. This litany of God’s overwhelming powers is not meant to hurt Job, but to correct his thinking, complete his theology, clarify His soul with the ultimate responses, and comfort his heart.

And, the end result for Job was what should be the final destination for us: Job humbly returned to worship before His great, sovereign God. Job trusted God with deepened understanding and all was well again.

WE MUST BE CAREFUL

… when we seek to lower God to our humanistic expectations. God is God and there is no other. Our lives are under His sovereign hand. He is God and He does what He pleases, but He is also good and does what is best.

For those of us who trust Him, this is our highest comfort and holiest joy. For those who proudly reject Him, this should be their most sobering concern.

Dear Sovereign God, continually correct my view of You. When I am tempted to lift myself to Your place by doubting Your works and foolishly and feverishly trying to control my life, pry my fingers from the wheel by reminding me of Your power. Let me return to Job 38-39 often to understand Your incomprehensible might and sovereign place. Remind me, as you reminded Job, that You are God and the great privilege that makes it possible to know, serve, and worship You!