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“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
