The Everyday Prayer

Re:Verse passage – Job 38:1-7; 40:6-9 (day seven)

And I will ask you, and you instruct Me! Job 38:3b

Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty?
Let him who reproves God answer it.  Job 40:2

Growing up as the child of a high school football coach in the state of Texas, you learned the phrase “armchair quarterback” real quick. Every person thinks that they know what plays should have been called when and which players should have been where. Most people are decent enough to keep these opinions to themselves, but others forget that they aren’t in their armchair and display their opinions openly from the stands to where everyone can hear them. These unqualified and highly opinionated faultfinders have a knack for getting under your skin.

I am gad I am not God. Can you imagine what He hears? The world is full of faultfinders, but unlike at a football game, the Omniscient God knows and hears every thought we have. If we are honest, we have all had moments where we became the armchair quarterback, instructing God on what He should do. That is what makes God so incredible. He is not angered by our unqualified opinions. He wants us to bring these to him, because as we do, He is able to answer back and show us how His plan will always bring home the win!

Re:Verse passage – Job 38:1-7; 40:6-9 (day 6)

Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said,

I’m with Scott here, Job reminds us of our deepest need and God’s eagerness to meet it-his nearness. I think it is astounding that we have a God that draws near to us, especially after reading about his management of the universe in chapters 38-39. (God doesn’t have too much on his plate to draw near to us.)

One of the best ways the book of Job illustrates the nearness of God is not in God’s response to Job, but that he responded at all. Simply, God heard Job’s cries, his complaints, and accusations. He was not far off and aloof, but near; he heard Job and spoke to him in his nearness.

So, if you ever wander if God hears you; he does…AND he answers us when we call.

Re:Verse passage – Job 38:1-7; 40:6-9(day five)

Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said,

Did you notice the name used for God? (First time since chapter 2). (You’ll have to look this up- this software doesn’t allow formatting to indicate the text)  It’s the name for the covenant God, the personal God. Maybe Job’s biggest need was to be reminded that God was near and still loved him. Look at chapter 23. “If only I knew where to find him; if only I could go to his dwelling! “But if I go to the east, he is not there; if I go to the west, I do not find him. When he is at work in the north, I do not see him; when he turns to the south, I catch no glimpse of him.”

And that’s the need God meets first. The author wants us to know, the personal God who cares and shows faithful love is talking to Job.

Whatever the circumstance or crisis, whatever the need, the first thing to remember, understand, and hold onto, is that the Lord is near and with us. He promised!! Psalm 46:1,  Matthew 28:20.

Re:Verse passage – Job 38:1-7; 40:6-9 (day four)

God asks Job 69 questions in these three chapters…none of them can be answered by Job.  It is a stark reminder that God is infinitely mightier than man.  God is all-powerful, all-wise, ever-present, all-knowing, infinite, holy, just, and loving.  He is our creator, sustainer, healer, and Savior.  Not only was Job left speechless before God, he was re-focused on the glory of God.

We often need to be re-focused upon God.  Using the character qualities of God to give praise to Him is an effective way to pray.  We are reminded of our standing before the Almighty God.  Reciting His character in prayer is like praying Scripture back to Him.  Now is a good time to pause and praise.  Express your praise by acknowledging God’s character! (Respond in the comment section your one sentence praise to God:  “Lord, I praise you for You are…”)

Re:Verse passage – Job 38:1-7; 40:6-9 (day three)

“Now gird up your loins like a man;
I will ask you, and you instruct me.”

Is God mad here? Is he offended? Indignant? Irritated? How about “none of the above?” It’s not hard to misidentify intensity as annoyance. But God knows the limits of a human being – that a man, finite as he is, doesn’t have access to the larger sweep of events across the unseen realm of the spiritual nor the vast expanses of the cosmos. To wit, Job wasn’t aware of the conversation between God and Satan about Job himself. So no, God’s not aggravated. He is, on the contrary, taking Job seriously by meeting him where he is, matching his zeal. Job has argued ardently and vehemently. God doesn’t hate Job for his ignorance. He loves him enough to have the conversation for which Job has pleaded.

Re:Verse passage – Job 38:1-7; 40:6-9 (day two) 

Re:Verse passage – Job 32:1-10; 33:2-4, 22-30; 35:9-10; 37:14-24 (day seven)

Although there are things I would correct in Elihu’s theology, I find myself drawn to several character traits that I believe would do us well to replicate when we find ourselves in the position to give advice.

1. He was patient. “Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were years older than he.” (32:4) Even though he knew the advice Job was receiving was inaccurate, He waited his turn.
2. He kept his focus heavenward. “Behold, God does all these oftentimes with men.” (33:29) Everything that Elihu focused on revolved around God and spiritual concerns.
3. He was ready to be challenged. “Refute me if you can; Array yourselves before me, take your stand.” (33:5) He was confident enough that he was in the right mindset (heavenward). He was also humble enough (patient) to allow Job to have a rebuttal if Job could refute his claims.

What I see today is a lot of people rushing to share their unwarranted advice. I see people leaning more on feelings than on spiritual truth. I see people unwilling to hear out the other side and be challenged. Want to know someone else who epitomizes these three traits? You might find Him in John 8:1-11.

Re:Verse passage – Job 32:1-10; 33:2-4, 22-30; 35:9-10; 37:14-24 (day six)

There are no bad questions. Some may conclude that one of the purposes of Job is to illustrate the futility of asking hard questions; that we simply aren’t capable of understanding the complexities of God’s management of the universe as it involves human suffering. The latter is true of course, but    it is a big leap to conclude we shouldn’t search for reasons for suffering.

In fact the book of Job points to a different conclusion, I think. We are privy to Job’s emotional journey as he attempts to make sense of his suffering. He argues with friends, questions God, wrestles with his will to press on, but ultimately longs for justice and restored fellowship with God. We can conclude that while we may not receive the answers we want, we may discover the meaning me need.

God is sympathetic to our frailty, and his shoulders are big enough to carry our fears, tough questions, and yes, even our anger. Elihu would advise we not forget who God is in all his wonder in the process.

I would advise something similar, it is okay to ask hard questions about suffering, as long as you don’t lose sight of the kind of person you ought to be in your suffering.