God Answered Job: Part 1

Imagine God calling Your name in answer to your prayers. Then imagine it being from a tornado in the sky. God is speaking to you through this whirlwind and then opening your understanding. This can happen, for it happened to Job. As Job was left in despair, having lost his children and almost everything he owned, including being pained with sickness, God did come to his rescue. His friends and others in his city didn’t treat him well, and their was no comfort in their words towards him. This left Job to call upon God and find comfort in Him alone. And it was after Elihu left after talking to Him that God came to Job. It is recorded, ¹“then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me. Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?” (Job 38:1-7) God came not with the answer the Job was asking for, but with questions of His own to Job. How interesting that God came to him demanding that he answer Him about His creation. In the meantime, he learned who the morning stars and sons of God were, which are God’s angels in heaven. Now, just think of what Job is feeling like, while God is speaking to him in person. He must have been in awe at everything that was happening.

God continued and said to Job, ¹“have the gates of death been opened unto thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death? Hast thou perceived the breadth of the earth? declare if thou knowest it all. Where is the way where light dwelleth? and as for darkness, where is the place thereof, that thou shouldest take it to the bound thereof, and that thou shouldest know the paths to the house thereof? Knowest thou it, because thou wast then born? or because the number of thy days is great?” (Job 38:17-21) ¹“Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts? or who hath given understanding to the heart?” (Job 38:36) Now, these are just a few verses that I’ve decided to expand on, though the other verses are also so amazing. Here we have God asking Job if he has felt the gates of death opening upon him, while in his affliction. Surely, he was feeling this way and it must have got Job’s attention when he said this. Then, he gets questioned about darkness and light and how he can find the right path to his house when it is dark. And one thing here that is interesting is that God told Job that he would live a long life. This must have brought peace to his soul, thinking death was at the door. Lastly, we learn how important it is to put God’s wisdom in us, even His understanding in our hearts. Doing this, we can go throughout life with God leading us by the hand. As we seek God daily in His Word and in prayer, more of His wisdom will unfold upon us. And wouldn’t it be awesome if you could go forth with a surety that God is with you? He can be.

Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that more people will come to You, even as their personal Savior. That people would begin to cry out to You as Job did in his afflictions. Then, would You also come to their rescue also. Too many people are currently living a life of sin, where darkness abounds and death is at their door. People do not realize that playing around with sin is like playing with fire. It leads a person to hell and destruction come death. How this is the time to repent of our sins, while we still have breath. Even if we are living our life for You, Jesus, I pray that this faith will not grow dim. Life’s trials face everybody in life, no matter how strong they are in the faith or not. Therefore, it is up to each of us to continue to call upon Your Name in prayer often. To lift You up above all things and to express everything that is in our hearts to You. Lord, I know that You do not wish that we hold back anything in pray. For everything that we have to say is important. Even if we are currently suffering and what we have to say are more questions than thanks, it is needed. Surely, wisdom is necessary in these moments, though giving thanks is also very important. Therefore, help people know that in our darkest moments to always remember to find things to be grateful for and express them to You in prayer. Lord, I wish to always have You come and answer me that I might hear Your voice, but I know that You also use the Bible and other people to speak to me as well. Therefore, help me to always be found learning from You, no matter what it is and who it is that You send to me. I love You, God. I give You glory and praise, this day and forever. Amen.

Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.

Job 38

¹Job 38 (KJV)
1 Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,
2 Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?
3 Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.
4 Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.
5 Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it?
6 Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof;
7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?
8 Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb?
9 When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddlingband for it,
10 And brake up for it my decreed place, and set bars and doors,
11 And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed?
12 Hast thou commanded the morning since thy days; and caused the dayspring to know his place;
13 That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it?
14 It is turned as clay to the seal; and they stand as a garment.
15 And from the wicked their light is withholden, and the high arm shall be broken.
16 Hast thou entered into the springs of the sea? or hast thou walked in the search of the depth?
17 Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death?
18 Hast thou perceived the breadth of the earth? declare if thou knowest it all.
19 Where is the way where light dwelleth? and as for darkness, where is the place thereof,
20 That thou shouldest take it to the bound thereof, and that thou shouldest know the paths to the house thereof?
21 Knowest thou it, because thou wast then born? or because the number of thy days is great?
22 Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail,
23 Which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war?
24 By what way is the light parted, which scattereth the east wind upon the earth?
25 Who hath divided a watercourse for the overflowing of waters, or a way for the lightning of thunder;
26 To cause it to rain on the earth, where no man is; on the wilderness, wherein there is no man;
27 To satisfy the desolate and waste ground; and to cause the bud of the tender herb to spring forth?
28 Hath the rain a father? or who hath begotten the drops of dew?
29 Out of whose womb came the ice? and the hoary frost of heaven, who hath gendered it?
30 The waters are hid as with a stone, and the face of the deep is frozen.
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?
33 Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven? canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth?
34 Canst thou lift up thy voice to the clouds, that abundance of waters may cover thee?
35 Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go and say unto thee, Here we are?
36 Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts? or who hath given understanding to the heart?
37 Who can number the clouds in wisdom? or who can stay the bottles of heaven,
38 When the dust groweth into hardness, and the clods cleave fast together?
39 Wilt thou hunt the prey for the lion? or fill the appetite of the young lions,
40 When they couch in their dens, and abide in the covert to lie in wait?
41 Who provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat.