When God speaks, will you listen? That was the question proposed to Job. It is the same question presented to everyone born throughout history. It is the story of Adam, Abraham, Jacob, Moses, and Mary. As well, it is everyone’s story, then and now. Sometimes, God speaks with a soft, gently voice and sometimes it is through a fiery bush. It may be as we walk through the fiery furnace, where Jesus joins us to walk beside us. In our finite thoughts, desires, and hearts; we do not always hear His voice of love and grace. It seems to be drowned out by all the noise and the evil of this world. Yet, it His voice of Love that calls to us from the foundations of the world.
Every detail of this His creation cries out to us that He is Supreme, All Powerful, and indescribable. How could this universe hold together with such intricate design, were it not for an indescribable Amazing God who chooses to speak with us. Not His most magnificent creation; yet He chooses to lift us above all else to call us His own children.
Because God loves you so much, He willingly sits patiently with us in our darkest hours. Individually, He does this. He who intricately wove us together in our mother’s womb, willingly came to earth, experienced our suffering and our trials. Then, He took upon Himself all the sin of the world. A sacrifice so enormous, we cannot comprehend it. Then He rose again to life, providing a way to save us.
Why all this? Could He not have avoided it all? Yes, but He knew without free will, one cannot choose love or feel its glorious joy. Nor can one see His splendorous righteousness and justice if evil never occurred.
God Speaks in the Storms
Last week’s lesson, as Bildad spoke, a thunderous storm was brewing off in the horizon. In his dissertation, he referred to God’s voice being in the storm.
Job 37:
Hear attentively the thunder of His voice,
And the rumbling that comes from His mouth.
3 He sends it forth under the whole heaven,
His [a]lightning to the ends of the earth.
4 After it a voice roars;
He thunders with His majestic voice,
And He does not restrain them when His voice is heard.
5 God thunders marvelously with His voice;
He does great things which we cannot comprehend.
Perhaps, we do not want to hear His voice when it thunders; yet it is His love, mercy and grace that thunders to us for direction, lest we continue down the wrong path. Sometimes it is for our correction, other times for our edification (to bring us closer within His arms of love where He can shelter us). Yet, sometimes it is for the good of the Kingdom. Only He knows because He sees beyond our tiny time/space continuum.
However, even then, He chooses to remain with us in the storm—very present within our time and space. Just like Jesus in the storms with His apostles or when He walked in the fiery furnace with Meshach, Shadrack, and Abednego. He did not save them from the fiery furnace. Instead, the furnace was heated hotter than ever before. Yet, He walked with them in the furnace and even the smoke did not touch them.
Therefore, God speaks to us even in the storm. Perhaps, I dare say, God speaks with greater clarity when we are in the storm. If only we would be still and listen.
God Speaks and Job is Silenced.
Finally comes the moment that Job had pleaded for. God speaks. He did not come with a full explanation to Job for all the suffering. Yet, He came with the better answer for Job. Even though God speaks to Job through a series of questions, revealing to Job how infinitely wise, just, loving and kind God is. He demonstrated His indescribable power, majesty, justice and mercy through these questions.
Job:38: (TLB) Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind:
2 “Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words? 3 Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.
Remember this, it was a whirlwind—a tornado that took Job’s children. Now it is a whirlwind from which God speaks. Just imagine for a moment how Job must have felt. After all the lofty words he had spoken. He had said, he wanted God to come before him so he could plead his case, proclaiming himself innocent. Now we have God thundering voice coming out from the whirlwind to say, “Who are you to question me? Obviously, you do not know me for who I am.
God Proclaims His Sovereignty, His Brilliance and His Power in Creation
Job 38(TLB)
“Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?
Tell me, if you know so much.
5 Who determined its dimensions
and stretched out the surveying line?
6 What supports its foundations,
and who laid its cornerstone
7 as the morning stars sang together
and all the angels[a] shouted for joy?
8 “Who kept the sea inside its boundaries
as it burst from the womb,
9 and as I clothed it with clouds
and wrapped it in thick darkness?
10 For I locked it behind barred gates,
limiting its shores.
11 I said, ‘This far and no farther will you come.
Here your proud waves must stop!’
12 “Have you ever commanded the morning to appear
and caused the dawn to rise in the east?
13 Have you made daylight spread to the ends of the earth,
to bring an end to the night’s wickedness?
14 As the light approaches,
the earth takes shape like clay pressed beneath a seal;
it is robed in brilliant colors.[b]
15 The light disturbs the wicked
and stops the arm that is raised in violence.
“Have you explored the springs from which the seas come?
Have you explored their depths?
17 Do you know where the gates of death are located?
Have you seen the gates of utter gloom?
18 Do you realize the extent of the earth?
Tell me about it if you know!
19 “Where does light come from,
and where does darkness go?
20 Can you take each to its home?
Do you know how to get there?
21 But of course you know all this!
For you were born before it was all created,
and you are so very experienced!
Furthermore,
31 “Can you direct the movement of the stars—
binding the cluster of the Pleiades
or loosening the cords of Orion?
32 Can you direct the constellations through the seasons
or guide the Bear with her cubs across the heavens?
33 Do you know the laws of the universe?
Can you use them to regulate the earth?
34 “Can you shout to the clouds
and make it rain?
35 Can you make lightning appear
and cause it to strike as you direct?
36 Who gives intuition to the heart
and instinct to the mind?
37 Who is wise enough to count all the clouds?
Who can tilt the water jars of heaven
38 when the parched ground is dry
and the soil has hardened into clods?
39 “Can you stalk prey for a lioness
and satisfy the young lions’ appetites
40 as they lie in their dens
or crouch in the thicket?
41 Who provides food for the ravens
when their young cry out to God
and wander about in hunger?
God speaks of his provision for his creatures as well as His power and wisdom. Then He asks Job to another question.
Job 40 (TLB)
2 “Do you still want to argue with the Almighty?
You are God’s critic, but do you have the answers?
How often do we think we have the answers when in truth, we have none? This was Job’s conclusion as well.
Job 40 (NKJV)
3 Then Job answered the Lord and said:
4 “Behold, I am vile;
What shall I answer You?
I lay my hand over my mouth.
5 Once I have spoken, but I will not answer;
Yes, twice, but I will proceed no further.”
God Speaks Again with a Question, we must answer as well
Job 40: (NKJV)
“Now [a]prepare yourself like a man;
I will question you, and you shall answer Me:
8 “Would you indeed [b]annul My judgment?
Would you condemn Me that you may be justified?
9 Have you an arm like God?
Or can you thunder with a voice like His?
10 Then adorn yourself with majesty and splendor,
And array yourself with glory and beauty.
11 Disperse the rage of your wrath;
Look on everyone who is proud, and humble him.
12 Look on everyone who is proud, and bring him low;
Tread down the wicked in their place.
In other words, Job can you rule the earth? Put on your best garments of righteousness and see how that goes.
Then Job answered the Lord:
2 “I know that you can do all things;
no purpose of yours can be thwarted;
3 you asked,[a] ‘Who is this who darkens counsel without knowledge?’
But[b] I have declared without understanding[c]
things too wonderful for me to know.[d]
4 You said,[e] ‘Pay attention, and I will speak;
I will question you, and you will answer me.’
5 I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear,
but now my eye has seen you.[f]
6 Therefore I despise myself,[g]
and I repent in dust and ashes!”
Concluding Thoughts
And this is you and me. We question God out of our own ignorance of who He is. So, often I have done that and still do at times. Yet, step by step, He is transforming me into the likeness of His Son and the Holy Spirit will not stop His work until it is finished.
We are sealed by the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption. Whatever it takes, Lord Jesus transform this heart so that I might see you. The Holy Spirit within me is the promise already fulfilled. One day as I close my eyes here on this earth, I will see Him face to face and the magnificence of that, His glory will take my breath away when I run into His arms of love. No matter what this world may bring, I must keep my eyes on my destination. God speaks and I long to hear his voice of love in every situation and every moment of this life.
And the amazing part is. We can. The Holy Spirit indwells every believer. All I must do is choose to die to self that He might live and shine through me. Therein is fullness of joy here and throughout eternity. Hallelujah, what a Savior.
So, the question remains. Do you know Him? When God Speaks, even in the storm, will you listen to His voice of love?
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
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©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Credits
Living Bible (TLB)
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
New King James Version (NKJV)
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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