In preparation for our three month trek through the bible, we decided to read larger chunks of the word. Tonight we read in bed. This was our regular practice before the start of “church nights.” We would usually read scripture and then pray right before bed. So again, we continued the tradition. Our oldest daughter had her own book and read along but decided to play instead. Our youngest one was getting her feeding while we read.

Today we looked at the LORD’s discourse in Job 38-42. God humbles Job and any complaint that he had by asking and asking him questions that are way beyond his understanding. When our eyes are not on Christ, we do not fully understand the situation.

Then the LORD spoke to Job out of the storm:
“Brace yourself like a man; I will question you,
and you shall answer me.
“Would you discredit my justice?
Would you condemn me to justify yourself?
Do you have an arm like God’s,
and can your voice thunder like his?
Then adorn yourself with glory and splendor,
and clothe yourself in honor and majesty.
Unleash the fury of your wrath,
look at every proud man and bring him low,
look at every proud man and humble him,
crush the wicked where they stand.
Bury them all in the dust together;
shroud their faces in the grave.
Then I myself will admit to you
that your own right hand can save you.

Then Job replied to the LORD :
“I know that you can do all things;
no plan of yours can be thwarted.
You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?’
Surely I spoke of things I did not understand,
things too wonderful for me to know.
“You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak;
I will question you,
and you shall answer me.’
My ears had heard of you
but now my eyes have seen you.
Therefore I despise myself
and repent in dust and ashes.”

(Job 40:6-14; 42:1-6)

Indeed it was God himself that had quieted Job’s complaints. Job realized that after hearing God speak, he did not understand half as much as he thought he did… and so he shuts up and repents.

That is where I feel we are lately. Every time we look at the word, we have been convicted of one thing or another and must repent. But as we’ve been listening to some sermon/lectures… scripture is the Word of God… and when we listen to the word of God, we are in fact hearing God himself speak to us, just as Job had heard it. It is an awesome privilege to hear God speak to us…

Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea
A great High Priest whose name is love
Who ever lives and pleads for me
My name is graven on His hands
My name is written on His heart
I know that while in heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart
No tongue can bid me thence depart