In Job 42:2-3, 6 I read, “I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you. You asked, ‘Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?’ It is I—and I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me . . . I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance.” (NLT)
Instead of always asking God “why” when I don’t understand, start trusting him.
For 37 chapters in his book, Job asks: “Why is this happening to me? Why are you allowing this? Why so much pain? Why so much discomfort? Why haven’t you answered my prayers?”
But in chapter 38, Job then stops asking “why.” And God says, “Now I’d like to ask you a few questions.”
For the next two chapters, God bombards Job with questions that only God could answer. He asks things like, “Where were you when I made the universe? Can you explain the law of gravity?”
After two chapters, Job realizes that he is just a man and his knowledge is limited. Who is he to question God?
Job stops questioning, and starts trusting. He replies to the Lord, “I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you. You asked, ‘Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?’ It is I—and I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me . . . I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance” (Job 42:2-3, 6 NLT).
What do I do in a situation where I can’t see the whole picture, things aren’t clear, and life doesn’t make sense?
I can remind myself of the things I know about God. Even while doubting, Job affirmed what he knew to be true about God: God is loving (Job 10:12), God is all powerful (Job 36:22), God is in control (Job 34:13), God had a plan for his life (Job 23:14), God would protect him (Job 5:11).
God is passionately and intimately aware of every detail. He’s paying attention to my every breath. Nothing misses God’s attention.
So While I may not understand what I’m going through, I can still say this to God: “I know you’re good, loving and powerful. I know you notice the details of my life. I know you’re in control. I know you have a plan. I know you will protect me.”
Then set aside my “why” questions and trust God, no matter what.
In summary, I know that you God can do anything, and no one can stop you. I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me. I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance. Instead of always asking God “why” when I don’t understand, start trusting him. Job asks: “Why is this happening to me? Why are you allowing this? Why so much pain? Why so much discomfort? Why haven’t you answered my prayers?” Job then stops asking “why.” And God says, “Now I’d like to ask you a few questions.” God then bombards Job with questions that only God could answer. Job realizes that he is just a man and his knowledge is limited. Who is he to question God? Job stops questioning, and starts trusting. What do I do in a situation where I can’t see the whole picture, things aren’t clear, and life doesn’t make sense? I can remind myself of the things I know about God. God is loving, all powerful, and in control, God has a plan for my life, and will protect me. God is passionately and intimately aware of every detail. Nothing misses God’s attention. So While I may not understand what I’m going through, I can still say this to God: “I know you’re good, loving and powerful. I know you notice the details of my life. I know you’re in control. I know you have a plan. I know you will protect me.” Then set aside my “why” questions and trust God, no matter what.
Throughout the book of Job, Job's friends had asked him to admit his sin and ask for forgiveness, and eventually Job did indeed repent. Ironically, Job's repentance was not the kind called for by his friends. He did not ask forgiveness for committing secret sins, but for questioning God's sovereignty and justice. Job repented of his attitude and acknowledged God's great power and perfect justice. I sin when I angrily ask, "if God is in control, how could he let this happen?" Because I am locked into time, unable to see beyond today, I cannot know the reasons for everything that happens. Thus, I must often choose between doubt and trust. Will I trust God with my unanswered questions? Don't use what I can't understand as an excuse for my lack of trust. Admit to God that I don't even have enough faith to trust him. True faith begins in such humility.
Father, thank you for Your Word and Jesus as my savior and example. You want me and I need you in my life. Please give me Your strength for today and remind me in little ways that I can always believe in, have faith in and can trust you in everything. This includes being the authority for my life, the source of my self-worth and my hope for the future. You have my best interests in mind. So I ask you to help me to embrace the way you’ve made me; my gifting and passions. Help me to serve and fulfill the mission you have in mind for me.
Today, I ask you for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership, my interactions with others, doing well and making a difference in others lives. I pray all these things through your Son Jesus’ name, Amen.
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