God Speaks

Last week I told you I was reading Job. Well, today I finished. I wasn't "scheduled" to be done until tomorrow, but I couldn't stop reading! What an incredible book and what an amazing journey this man was on!
As I was reading, there were many times I wanted to call out words of encouragement to Job. Other times I wanted to shout in God's defense. (As if He needs me to defend Him...) Several times I wondered, Isn't God going to say anything???
Then, a couple of days ago a young man named Elihu spoke. And this man spoke words of Truth. He knew God. As I poured over his words, I wondered, Why did you stay silent for so long? But His (that is, God's!) timing is always perfect and He used Elihu to deliver the message necessary to make the way for His Own. Because, today...
The Lord Speaks...

Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone - while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?...Have you ever given orders to the morning, or shown the dawn its place,...Have you journeyed to the springs of the sea or walked in the recesses of the deep?...Have you comprehended the vast expanses of the earth? Tell me, if you know all this.
Job 38:4-7,12,16,18

After listening to young Elihu talk about the majesty and righteousness of God for six chapters, now Job hears from God, Himself. And who can argue with God?

He is the Creator.

He is holy and perfect.

He is just and righteous.

He is Almighty!

And Job listens to Him and replies,

I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted...My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.
Job 42:2,5-6

In all his anguish, Job never once cursed God or rejected Him. He questioned a lot. He doubted. He didn't like what he was going through. I think he might have wondered if God was really good.
But when he finally heard words of Truth, he remembered Who God Is, and he repented before Him. Then God restored everything to Job. In fact, "The Lord blessed the latter part of Job's life more than the first." (42:12)

As I reflect on this book, I am first in awe of how great our God is and amazed that He would want to have anything to do with me. Second, I am greatly comforted to know the Creator of the universe - in all His glory and splendor - does love me, and does care for my every need.
He is so great, and He still cares about little me.

Do you know He cherishes you, too, my friend?

And now, one more plug for BibleYear.com. A couple of weeks ago my pastor encouraged us in his sermon to become more diligent students of the Word, and suggested reading through the Bible in a year. I found BibleYear.com and am reading through the Bible chronologically. I love doing this, and hope you will consider it, too!