This week’s reading ends our time in the book of Poet’s from the Immerse reading bible series and begins with God speaking directly to Job. There are two rhetorical questions that stand out In all of the questions God asks Job, the one question that stuck out. The first being, “Do you still want to argue with the Almighty? You are God’s critic, but do you have the answers?” The second being, “who has given me anything that I need to payback? Everything under heaven is mine.”
Oh how both those questions and statements ring true. We are quick to lose sight of the simple fact that who are we to argue with God. We are quick to forget that everything under heaven is God’s. Sit on that for a moment, let that sink in, and allow for some self-reflection. We choose to argue and question God despite knowing, as children of God, that everything under heaven is God’s. We constantly challenge His sovereignty, challenge His provision, challenge His plan and we find ourselves complaining and asking questions such as “why...”, “how come...”, and “what if...”.
But more often than not those questions are asked in an emotional state, where we are focused on the here and now, on the pain and discomfort in the moment. More importantly, even as children of God we ask those questions. If we simply take a moment and ask that same line of questioning from a humble position, with no fire stoking the emotional aspect there is much to be revealed, to learn, and/or to see what we are being pruned. Cause like Job’s response to God “I am nothing - how could I ever find the answer? I will cover my mouth with my hand. I have said too much already. I have nothing more to say.”
This book reminds me that my provision comes from God, even when I am upset and ready to challenge Him, He owns everything, so who am I to inflect my plan on God. I can finally rest knowing that whatever may come blessing or suffering, persecution or perseverance, gifting or pruning, that God is at work and if I remain open and pliable He can flow easily through me.