"Then Job replied to the LORD: “I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted”
(Job 42:1).
One day Satan came before God and boasted that humanity had rejected the Lord and was following him. God pointed to Job as a man who was still faithful to Him. Satan then charged that Job was faithful because God was blessing him. Curse him and he’ll curse You, said Satan.
So God permitted Satan to send a series of disasters on Job. His property was destroyed, his children were slain, and he himself was covered with horribly painful sores. Yet in all this Job did not curse God. To make matters worse, God permitted three of Job’s friends to come and give him friendly advice, yet advice that was wrong and hurtful. These friends goaded Job into speaking, but Job still did not become angry enough to curse God. He did, however, state that he wanted an explanation from God. So God appeared to Job, and His reply is frightening. For several chapters, God overwhelms Job. You want to ask Me some questions, Job? You want to put Me on trial? All right, I’ll answer your questions, Job, if you can answer some of Mine.
Then God proceeded to ask Job questions like this: “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Can you set the boundaries of the heaven? Can you unbuckle the belt of Orion? Can you send the birds south for the winter?”
How did Job respond to this? He said, “My ears had heard of You but now my eyes have seen You” (Job 42:5). Did God answer Job’s question? No, or at least not in words. The only answer God gave to Job’s question was … Himself. God said, Here I am, Job. Look at Me. Understand My omnipotence. Understand that I created all things and take care of all things. Understand these things and you will know this. Job, that I will never leave you or forsake you. Job, your answer is not in My words but in Me and in our relationship. Trust Me, Job.
Perhaps the most difficult aspect of our walk with God is demonstrating trust in God during times of severe trial. In those times, God’s unchangeable nature truly becomes an anchor for the soul. Today reflect on God’s immutability and the difference that knowledge makes when you suffer.
