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“Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind: Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words? Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.” Job 38:1-3 (NLT)

Job has been my jam lately! Moving my finger from one word to the next as I follow the emotional story that unfolds with each passing sentence, I experience Job’s loss of family, loss of wealth, and emotional torment. Any other person going through all Job was going through would curse God’s name but Job refrains. Instead, he cries out and in Job 38 we come face to face with the Lord’s challenge to Job.

“Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind: Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words? Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.”

I thought these were some tough words of correction for Job. A posture of how dare you question me; how dare you act like you know better. But the more I read over these sentences in the light of God’s character, I wondered if it was God’s way of nudging Job to look further, maybe even deeper than he was willing to look before. To be reminded of the God that was on His side and the power that was at work. When we are in the thick of it, our vision tends to take on an audience of one and we lose sight of all that might be in play. The idea that God is for us dims in the background as we grapple to try and understand or make sense of our circumstances.

Through the next chapters of Job, God changes Job’s focus and reminds him of who God is. He is the elaborate Creator, the giver of life, the sole sustainer of His creation, even the minutiae in the details. God used these chapters to paint an undeniable picture, and Job finds himself repeating God’s words in chapter 42, verse 3, “You asked, ‘Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?” But Job’s answer this time to that question is SO good, “It is I – and I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me. I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes.”

This might be a “brace yourself like a man” season you are in with God right now, and He is challenging and deepening your perspective of Him. Maybe you sense He is gently nudging you in another direction, maybe you are in the waiting game, or even in a deep season of loss. Approach God expectant and thankful for the opportunity to see and experience Him each day with renewed eyes. He will reveal Himself to you, just as He did for Job.

“Lord, we know how difficult seasons in life can be and that we need to be reminded of who You are. Thank You for Your patience in waiting to hear the words, “I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes.”

For His Glory

Rebecca Mahle
TRBC Women’s Life