READING: Job 10-13
“Wisdom and strength belong to God; counsel and understanding are his.”
Job 12:13
God is sovereign, and He works however He wishes. Job’s friends attempted to explain God’s workings, but Job reminded them that they could not fully grasp the power of God. He “withholds water” and “releases it” on the earth (Job 12:15). Moreover, He is sovereign over human authorities, religious authorities, and political powers; in fact, He “makes nations great, then destroys them; he enlarges nations, then leads them away” (Job 12:23). Job understands that God rules over all, even when what He does doesn’t always make sense to the human mind. Contrary to the opinion of Job’s friends, God might well allow the wicked to prosper and the righteous to suffer.
All of these truths didn’t fully alleviate Job’s pain and questions, but they do remind us that God is in control. It’s His call—not ours—if He allows bad things to happen to us even when we’re people “of complete integrity” (Job 1:1). We, like Job, might want to “argue [our] case before God” (Job 13:3), and we, too, might believe that we will be vindicated—but it’s still God’s call about the lot in life we receive. He remains God, and we’re not.
Our task is simply to trust His goodness at all times. And, that includes times when our friends misunderstand what’s going on, and we’re not entirely sure what’s happening, either. Having confidence in God does not require our understanding everything He allows to happen.
ACTION STEPS:
- Share these truths with someone who is struggling trusting God.
- Trust God, even if you don’t understand what’s happening in your life.
PRAYER: “Father, I want to trust You completely. Help me, regardless of what I face in life.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Job 14-17