“Can you search out the deep things of God?
Can you find out the limits of the Almighty?"
Job 11:7
Job tried, and his enduring faith puts many a modern Christian
(including me) to shame. The Lord Almighty, who had called him
"a
blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil,” (Job
1:8)
had suddenly removed His protective "hedge" around his
servant and allowed Satan to strike. Now, prompted by
incomprehensible suffering and three challenging
friends, Job sought
answers to some hard questions.
But Job's finite wisdom was no match for God's
infinite design. So the Almighty One spoke and gave His
servant a new perspective of divine sovereignty.
“Where were you," He asked,
"when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding.
Who determined its measurements? Surely you know! ... To what were its foundations
fastened?" Job 38:4-6
The mighty Creator of the universe
continued speaking. He pointed to His sovereign hand behind light, behind the
ocean tides, behind the evaporating waters that rise as clouds over the seas
before watering the land, and behind the wind currents that warm and cool the
planet according to His divine providence:
"Who shut in the sea with doors, when it burst forth...
When I said, ‘This far you may come, but no farther,
And here your proud waves must stop!’...
Have you comprehended the breadth of the earth?
Tell Me, if you know all this.
Where is the way to the dwelling of light?
By what way is light diffused,
Or the east wind scattered over the earth?...
Do you know the ordinances of the heavens?
Can you set their dominion over the earth?
Can you lift up your voice to the clouds,
That an abundance of water may cover you?"
Job 38:8-34
When God finally finished, his
humbled servant had learned a vital lesson. Having glimpsed the mysteries of
God's majestic ways, he saw his own limitations. "I have uttered what I did not understand,"
answered Job. "Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know."
Today, about four thousand years
later, mysteries and mistakes still abound. Our pride and imagination still
feed foolish claims and
philosophies that mock the Almighty. Even churches reject
the truths revealed to Job -- that God created the universe, hung the
planets in space, positioned the stars in their galaxies, and breathed life
into man.
Nothing is too difficult for Him!
For with a word He stills storms, frees captives, comforts the needy, brings
order in chaos and light out of darkness. With a touch of His hand He can heal
the sick, restore the broken and bring sight to the blind.
"Whatever the Lord pleases,
He does, in heaven and in the earth, in the seas and in all deep places."
Psalm 135:6
He promised His followers,
"you
shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be
My witnesses...." Acts 1:8
Unlike today's profusion of
spiritual counterfeits, God's will and power can't be manipulated. His
plan, written in eternity past and accomplished in His intended time, was
designed by His heart of wisdom, love and justice. Even our foolish attempts
to sidestep His order become part of His blueprint for ultimate victory. For nothing happens apart from
His perfect or permissive will.
“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked....”
Galatians 6:7
Daily He reminds me of
"the
exceeding
greatness of His power toward us who believe."
[Ephesians 1:19] Yet, still
earth-bound and finite, I cannot now fathom the glorious might and majesty
hidden in those words. He who is "beautiful beyond description," is
indeed "too marvelous for words." But in my weakness, I can delight all
the more in the promise of a heavenly banquet where I shall see Him face to
face. Until then, I will sing His songs and join the joyful chorus that
praises His name and awaits His coming.
I stand, I stand in awe of you.
Holy God, to whom all praise is due.
I stand in awe of you.[1]
In His ultimate plan, it doesn't matter that I am
small and weak, for His "power is perfected in weakness."
[2 Corinthians 12:9]
But I can't
forget that the all-sufficient power
He offers His followers is not
primarily intended for great feats or miracles. His power is first for living
a life of worship, surrender, obedience and daily victory over every
sin and evil.
Jesus spent most of His days on
earth in quiet obedience to His Father, showing few signs of His
infinite heavenly resources. Then one day He had a wonderful opportunity to
bring a four-fold blessing with one simple miracle: He could provide needed
wine at a wedding, save His host embarrassment, reveal His identity as the Son
of God, and demonstrate the mighty Power of God.
Yet, Jesus hesitated. Until
the Father initiated, the Son would do nothing. His initial response was
simply and humbly, "My time has not yet come." (How quickly
I might do something "good" without waiting to seek the perfect will and
timing of my Lord!)
But with the Father's nod, Jesus
acted; and nothing could hinder the mighty flow of heavenly power from
accomplishing the full purpose of Almighty God for that moment.
"Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How
unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! For who has
known the mind of the Lord? Or who has become His counselor? Or who has first
given to Him and it shall be repaid to him?
"For of Him and through Him
and to Him are all things, to Whom be glory forever. Amen."
Romans
11:32-36
Almighty Sovereign God, my strength and my Life, train me to walk with
you as an ambassador and servant of your heavenly kingdom. Build in me
a sober fear of the terrifying
consequences of presumptuous rebellion against your sovereign reign.
And enable me to "work out" my salvation "with fear and
trembling," ready to obey whatever you ask, confident that you are
faithful as well as mighty -- well able to perform all you have promised.
“We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty!"
Revelation 11:17
References:
Isaiah
40, 43 and 44; Isaiah 45:5-12; Jeremiah 9:23-24, 10:
10-12,
27:5, 32:17-19, 27; Luke
9:1-2; John 1:12, 2:1-11, 5:19; Acts 1:8; Romans
8:13-14, 15:13;
2 Corinthians 4:7, 12:9-10; Ephesians 1:18-19, 3:16-21;
Colossians 1:9-12, 29;
1 Timothy 1:9; 1 Peter 1:3; Revelation 4:8-11; 11:17-18.
What it means to be a Christian
The song, "I
Stand in Awe" was written and composed by Mark Altrogge. You can find it
here:
http://members.aol.com/moregarden/joyfulnoise.html