BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR!

           The old spiritual says “He’s got the whole world in his hands” and it emphasizes the enormity and autonomy of God. The truth is, however, that he has the whole universe in his hand. It’s that tiny speck of dust there! The opposite truth is that God is not so big as to miss the smallest detail.

           Job, because of his many miseries and his philosophical but useless friends, thought his sufferings had earned him a personal audience with the Majesty of Eternity. Again and again Job voiced his desire to confront The Almighty regarding His obvious mismanagement. Then the most dreadful thing happened! God granted him his desire.

Job 38:1-2

38:1 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,

2 Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?

           God stood, like my mother used to stand with hands on hips and a storm upon her brow, and speaks to Job out of a whirlwind. “Who do you think you are to cast a shadow of doubt over my wisdom with your ignorant and empty words?”

Job 38:18

18 Hast thou perceived the breadth of the earth? Declare if thou knowest it all. [Momma would have said: “Answer me if you think you are so smart. I’m talking to you!!”]

           This is a horrifying encounter both wonderful and withering. The peculiar privilege of a personal encounter with God is almost completely overshadowed by the blinding contrast between Almighty God and feeble human. Then God asks another question.

Job 38:21

21 Knowest thou it, because thou wast then born? or because the number of thy days is great? [Is your vast human wisdom the result of entitlement because you were simply born or is it because of the experience of your age?] When God uses sarcasm it isn’t funny.

           With a sweeping hand God now displays the starry heavens and their constellations.

Job 38:31-32

31 Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion?

32 Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? or canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons?

           This painful encounter goes on and on – for another entire chapter – then Job speaks.

Job 40:3-4

3 Then Job answered the LORD, and said,

4 Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.

           How often do we question God’s management of our affairs? I am as guilty as you and perhaps more so. When God acts in a way that is contrary to our reasoning we rise up in protest with our illustrious degrees from institutes of high learning to question Him. We, like a roaring mouse, shout in the face of God until He appears to melt us like wax! God is God alone and we are not!

           This Great God wrapped himself in the flesh of a baby to be laid in the arms of young girl. He was in all points tempted just like us and then was cruelly offered on the altar of Calvary’s cross taking our sin. But the indestructible God rose the third day even as He said. Now this God, this Savior, this brother speaks on our behalf to His Father. We are kindly treated. We are comforted in sorrow. We are blessed above measure. Our hands are slapped over our mouth.

           Wondrous God! Loving God! We are your servants and the sheep of your pasture.

Dear Lord, in the confining environment of earth we think you to be small like us. Today let us shrink before your Majesty and yield to your providence. AMEN