Like my new hummingbird template?
I know I do.
My best childhood friend and I once caught/trapped a hummingbird at the cabin, which is risky business I might add. I can't remember what we did with it, but I've always recalled feeling proud about that moment---so I'm comfortable assuming we miraculously saved its little life and set it free. Sigh. Such sweet passive aggressive Baptist babies we were.
Speaking of Baptist babies, my brother and I were conversing via mobile phone from different parts of the great United States early this week, and he mentioned making a gift for a friend with a printed verse on it. I asked him what verse-- I'm nosy. He shared with me a passage that I've read and learned and heard my whole life- and it's in the book of Job. God moved in me when Jake reminded me of the story and I've read and studied and listened to Job for days straight now. Let's go ahead and call it obsession--I'm deeply obsessed with Job's story, and more than that I'm obsessed with Job's conversation with the very same God I talk to today. If you don't mind, I'd like to bring you along to join in my obsession for a few minutes, and it begins with a question I have for you- What if all of the sudden you became painfully aware that God has seen every little thing you've been up to for your whole life? I mean, I know we're aware that He's been there, but do you ever really think about the fact that He's not simply checking his voicemails for need-to-know details on the highlights of your day? He's not just interested in the big or important stuff? Have you contemplated the weight of the reality that He knows the motivations behind every decision you make, not just the action itself? Okay, now go a step further---He not only knows why and what you're up to every second of every day, but he cares too. God is many things, but indifferent is never one of them. Maybe you have no trouble at all fully grasping this concept, maybe that's always your perspective, maybe it's Maybelline.
If I'm being honest, it's rarely mine. In fact, I find myself 'accidentally ignoring' God's interest in my choices a lot like I 'accidentally ignore' my bank account after a Kohls spree.
Hmm? What was that Andy? Oh they were having a sale...and I'll probably return most of it anyway, I'll check it out tomorrow. Mmmmk? Mmmmk.
God sees it all, and He cares about it all.
OOFTA, as my grandpa Jerry would say.
Alright, so now back to the beginning- you suddenly become painfully aware of God's constant presence and His captivating interest in your thoughts, decisions, and actions. And then..... God SPEAKS. With a voice you've never heard but always known, He speaks. God says to you that He has some questions for you, and He'd like for you to answer.
At that point, if I could even speak at all, it would undoubtedly be a very soft, very mumbled version of....... "I'd rather not, Lord."
Enter Job.
Job was a truly blessed man. He had 7 sons, 3 beautiful daughters, a lot of farm animals (which back then was a direct reflection of wealth and status), and he was one of a few men that would present Himself to God blameless and faithful.
Enter Satan.
Satan tries to tell God that Job is only faithful because he's blessed. God allows Satan to take away Job's blessings as long as he doesn't harm Job's body in order to test his faithfulness. Satan strikes Job's children, his land, his home, his animals and storehouses. Talk about a test! Job does not curse God and remains true. Satan then tries to tell God that Job is only faithful because his body has been spared, and that if Satan were allowed to harm him physically without killing him, then Job would curse God. God allowed it.
Satan covers Job in painful boils from his head to feet, and tortures him. Job calls for counsel from a few older wise friends. Job's friends didn't help. Job's wife asks why he doesn't just give up and curse God. Job still doesn't turn his back on God, but as I would be, he starts to get a wee bit mopey.
I had my tonsils out last year, and I remember begging for the immediate return of Christ so I would never have to swallow again. I couldn't actually talk, but I somehow managed to let out a steady melody of moans and whimpers. Job lost all he had lived for and then was covered in boils. Ouch.
Job begins to question God. He asks why he ever chose to live for God his whole life if torture was all he was to be given in return. He asks God why he was ever even born! I bet Satan was just giddy watching Job go all George Bailey on God. Job chapters 29-31 outline a speech of defense and confusion from Job that could easily be read by Jack Nicholson in a courtroom scene. If that was where the story ended, most of us would probably call Job's argument valid and agree with him.
Enter Elihu- a godly friend of Job's who is younger and bites his tongue while the older 'wiser' friends do pretty much nothing. I will talk about Elihu in another post because he's just plain awesome. Elihu rebukes Job's attitude and isn't afraid to do it. Elihu spoke with wisdom beyond his years and was dead on.
Enter GOD. Lord Almighty. Creator. Jehovah. Elohim.
I'll let Him speak.
The Lord Answers Job- Chapter 38
38 Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said:
2 “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?
3 Dress for action[a] like a man;
I will question you, and you make it known to me.
3 Dress for action[a] like a man;
I will question you, and you make it known to me.
4 “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
Tell me, if you have understanding.
5 Who determined its measurements—surely you know!
Or who stretched the line upon it?
6 On what were its bases sunk,
or who laid its cornerstone,
7 when the morning stars sang together
and all the sons of God shouted for joy?
Tell me, if you have understanding.
5 Who determined its measurements—surely you know!
Or who stretched the line upon it?
6 On what were its bases sunk,
or who laid its cornerstone,
7 when the morning stars sang together
and all the sons of God shouted for joy?
8 “Or who shut in the sea with doors
when it burst out from the womb,
9 when I made clouds its garment
and thick darkness its swaddling band,
10 and prescribed limits for it
and set bars and doors,
11 and said, ‘Thus far shall you come, and no farther,
and here shall your proud waves be stayed’?
when it burst out from the womb,
9 when I made clouds its garment
and thick darkness its swaddling band,
10 and prescribed limits for it
and set bars and doors,
11 and said, ‘Thus far shall you come, and no farther,
and here shall your proud waves be stayed’?
12 “Have you commanded the morning since your days began,
and caused the dawn to know its place,
13 that it might take hold of the skirts of the earth,
and the wicked be shaken out of it?
14 It is changed like clay under the seal,
and its features stand out like a garment.
15 From the wicked their light is withheld,
and their uplifted arm is broken.
and caused the dawn to know its place,
13 that it might take hold of the skirts of the earth,
and the wicked be shaken out of it?
14 It is changed like clay under the seal,
and its features stand out like a garment.
15 From the wicked their light is withheld,
and their uplifted arm is broken.
16 “Have you entered into the springs of the sea,
or walked in the recesses of the deep?
17 Have the gates of death been revealed to you,
or have you seen the gates of deep darkness?
18 Have you comprehended the expanse of the earth?
Declare, if you know all this.
or walked in the recesses of the deep?
17 Have the gates of death been revealed to you,
or have you seen the gates of deep darkness?
18 Have you comprehended the expanse of the earth?
Declare, if you know all this.
19 “Where is the way to the dwelling of light,
and where is the place of darkness,
20 that you may take it to its territory
and that you may discern the paths to its home?
21 You know, for you were born then,
and the number of your days is great!
and where is the place of darkness,
20 that you may take it to its territory
and that you may discern the paths to its home?
21 You know, for you were born then,
and the number of your days is great!
22 “Have you entered the storehouses of the snow,
or have you seen the storehouses of the hail,
23 which I have reserved for the time of trouble,
for the day of battle and war?
24 What is the way to the place where the light is distributed,
or where the east wind is scattered upon the earth?
or have you seen the storehouses of the hail,
23 which I have reserved for the time of trouble,
for the day of battle and war?
24 What is the way to the place where the light is distributed,
or where the east wind is scattered upon the earth?
25 “Who has cleft a channel for the torrents of rain
and a way for the thunderbolt,
26 to bring rain on a land where no man is,
on the desert in which there is no man,
27 to satisfy the waste and desolate land,
and to make the ground sprout with grass?
and a way for the thunderbolt,
26 to bring rain on a land where no man is,
on the desert in which there is no man,
27 to satisfy the waste and desolate land,
and to make the ground sprout with grass?
28 “Has the rain a father,
or who has begotten the drops of dew?
29 From whose womb did the ice come forth,
and who has given birth to the frost of heaven?
30 The waters become hard like stone,
and the face of the deep is frozen.
or who has begotten the drops of dew?
29 From whose womb did the ice come forth,
and who has given birth to the frost of heaven?
30 The waters become hard like stone,
and the face of the deep is frozen.
31 “Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades
or loose the cords of Orion?
32 Can you lead forth the Mazzaroth[b] in their season,
or can you guide the Bear with its children?
33 Do you know the ordinances of the heavens?
Can you establish their rule on the earth?
or loose the cords of Orion?
32 Can you lead forth the Mazzaroth[b] in their season,
or can you guide the Bear with its children?
33 Do you know the ordinances of the heavens?
Can you establish their rule on the earth?
34 “Can you lift up your voice to the clouds,
that a flood of waters may cover you?
35 Can you send forth lightnings, that they may go
and say to you, ‘Here we are’?
36 Who has put wisdom in the inward parts[c]
or given understanding to the mind?[d]
37 Who can number the clouds by wisdom?
Or who can tilt the waterskins of the heavens,
38 when the dust runs into a mass
and the clods stick fast together?
that a flood of waters may cover you?
35 Can you send forth lightnings, that they may go
and say to you, ‘Here we are’?
36 Who has put wisdom in the inward parts[c]
or given understanding to the mind?[d]
37 Who can number the clouds by wisdom?
Or who can tilt the waterskins of the heavens,
38 when the dust runs into a mass
and the clods stick fast together?
39 “Can you hunt the prey for the lion,
or satisfy the appetite of the young lions,
40 when they crouch in their dens
or lie in wait in their thicket?
41 Who provides for the raven its prey,
when its young ones cry to God for help,
and wander about for lack of food?....................
or satisfy the appetite of the young lions,
40 when they crouch in their dens
or lie in wait in their thicket?
41 Who provides for the raven its prey,
when its young ones cry to God for help,
and wander about for lack of food?....................
The Lord goes on and asks Job 147 questions (if I'm wrong on that I'm quoting my Bible College student brother). He explains that not only does He set everything in motion, but He also commands its continuance. He cares about where lightning strikes (this doesn't mean we shouldn't be weather alert:). He cares about where ravens get food for their young. Job's suffering wasn't only allowed, but it was intentional-and not just for Job and his wife and friends. My study Bible says the author the book of Job is unknown, as well as the time it was written. There are no historical references or landmarks in the language or dialect to give us any type of idea or way to put the story into chronological context. Now this is just what I believe, but I think God wanted us to have a clear story, a clear depiction of an untainted eternal message outside of timelines and history- God is God. Everything He does is intentional and planned for His glory and our well being. Even the trials He allows in our lives are completely motivated by his complete and incomprehensible love.
God pauses after chapters of majestic reminders outlining His unquestionable greatness, and Job speaks.
42 Then Job answered the Lord and said:
2 “I know that you can do all things,
and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
3 ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’
Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand,
things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.
4 ‘Hear, and I will speak;
I will question you, and you make it known to me.’
5 I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear,
but now my eye sees you;
and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
3 ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’
Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand,
things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.
4 ‘Hear, and I will speak;
I will question you, and you make it known to me.’
5 I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear,
but now my eye sees you;
6 therefore I despise myself,
and repent[a] in dust and ashes.”
and repent[a] in dust and ashes.”
Look around! Everything we are and are given was created by and managed by the same God that loved us enough to give us another chance at perfection with HIM. He tells the waves where to stop, He has seen the end of the world, He knows what's coming. If He is big enough create, know, and care about all that, can't we have enough faith to believe that nothing in our lives is an accident?
Here's my challenge to you- It's easy to become far too comfortable and casual with the God of Job. But He's our God too- and we never want to forget how big He is.
You've heard Him.
You've learned about Him.
Have you seen Him?
Have your eyes beheld the truth of who God is? Study Him, know Him, love Him, SEE Him.
You've heard Him.
You've learned about Him.
Have you seen Him?
Have your eyes beheld the truth of who God is? Study Him, know Him, love Him, SEE Him.
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