GOD SPEAKS
Today's reading: Job 37-38

"Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind: Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words? Brace yourself, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them." Job 38:1-3 NLT

If you've been reading along with me through Job, you'll find that Job has spoken and Job's friends have spoken. We come to chapter 38 where God finally speaks up.

I always thought God spoke harshly to Job. I took it as God was perturbed by Job's questioning and complaining. I figured He was a little fed up with Job's pity party.

Until this morning.

This morning, I can see God speaking to Job with a loving tone. I can hear Him speak softly. I can most certainly hear Him speaking with authority and intense purpose, but with love none the less.

You see, sometimes God wants to ask us questions like He asked of Job. He wants to return our thought process to who He is and who we are not. He wants us thinking less about ourselves and more about Him. He wants us to come face-to-face with the reality of just Who He is.

Some of those questions are theological, some of them we do have to answer for ourselves--out loud and clearly.

'Who do we think we are in comparison to Him?'

'Where was it we were when He laid out the plans for this world?'

'Who are we that we should be consulted as to anything He goes about doing?'

'Do we really think our plan would work better than His?'

'When you explain how you hang the stars and planets on nothing, then we'll talk about what I need to do differently about your situation, OK with you?'

Are you listening to Him? Are you hearing the questions He's asking of you? Are you realizing how very much He can be trusted with your life--even the parts you don't understand?

The weaker we feel, the harder we lean. And the harder we lean, the stronger we grow spiritually, even while our bodies waste away.  - J. I. Packer