Good day dear friends.
Our text for today comes from Job 38: 1 And now, finally, God answered Job from the eye of a violent storm. He said: 2 "Why do you confuse the issue? Why do you talk without knowing what you're talking about? 3 Pull yourself together, Job! Up on your feet! Stand tall! I have some questions for you, and I want some straight answers. 4 Where were you when I created the earth? Tell me, since you know so much! 5 Who decided on its size? Certainly you'll know that! Who came up with the blueprints and measurements? 6 How was its foundation poured, and who set the cornerstone, 7 While the morning stars sang in chorus and all the angels shouted praise? 34 "Can you get the attention of the clouds, and commission a shower of rain? 35 Can you take charge of the lightning bolts and have them report to you for orders? What Do You Have to Say for Yourself? 36 "Who do you think gave weather-wisdom to the ibis, and storm-savvy to the rooster? 37 Does anyone know enough to number all the clouds or tip over the rain barrels of heaven 38 When the earth is cracked and dry, the ground baked hard as a brick? 39 "Can you teach the lioness to stalk her prey and satisfy the appetite of her cubs 40 As they crouch in their den, waiting hungrily in their cave? 41 And who sets out food for the ravens when their young cry to God, fluttering about because they have no food? (The Message)
The Book of Job is an awesome book; so awesome that many of us fear to read it through in one sitting. It is a great drama of suffering, patience, and wisdom. Most of us have heard the expressions that have come from its pages, "She's got the patience of Job," and even, those of you outside of Texas may not understand, during the 2005 National Championship, with 26 seconds left and the University of Texas behind by five points, and on the USC's 8 yard line, Keith Jackson, the commentator for ABC Sports said, "I kinda feel like Job; I'm too old for this!" meaning the pressure of watching and commenting on a terrific game. And in the short passage from this great book comes a response from God to Job and Job's friends. In the honesty of the Bible, Job is told to curse God by his own wife and even his three so-called friends don't have the best advice to share with the suffering man, here God shows up in "the eye of a violent storm" and says, "Let's put this in perspective, (And incidentally, there is thunder and rain outside my window as I write!) and proceeds to describe the power that God has over all of nature. The questions God poses to Job are ones that every human can answer with no. We were not there at the creation of the earth. We don't know how the size of earth was determined, we saw none of the blueprints or measurements of the earth; and we certainly were not there when the foundations of the earth were poured and when the cornerstone was set. Nor can we command nature to rain or thunder or understand how the birds know when there is a storm coming or how food is provided for all animals, even in droughts.
God is God, and we need God. God deserves our praise. We may not understand all the workings of this great earth of ours nor can we ever control nature; but we take heart in knowing that God does, and we trust God. Whatever your life's situation now, God is with you and God is in control. The storms may rage, thunder and lightning may make their appearance, but even in the eye of the most violent storm, listen for God's voice in all of that.
PRAYER: Loving God, yesterday's text spoke of Your control in our battles and today's text speaks of Your presence in the midst of storms. You understand all things, while we try to make sense of things we may never understand, so hold our hands, embrace us when we need, and give us a deeper faith to trust You in all things. We pray in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Prayer Focus: Those churches offering Vacation Bible School, that this may plants seeds of faith in the hearts of youngsters. Thank God for those who volunteered and for pastors to share their love and wisdom with all involved in VBS.
