Behold Our God!

As I read through the entire Bible last year, I encountered many passages that I liked, many that I loved, and many that brought conviction to my heart. As I read through the book of Job, I was astounded as I read the plight of Job once again, and of course, my empathetic heart grieved for him. But when I got to Job chapter 38, I was incredibly humbled. Growing up, I had often heard the story of Job in summary or portions of it read, but I don't ever recall really reading through all of chapters 38-42. Unless you have read the entire book of Job and remember it, there is no way for me to express to you the power and conviction that Job chapters 38-42 bring to my heart and ought to bring to the heart of any human being!  I encourage you to read the book of Job and pray to God with a humble heart as you finish the book.

After Job goes through enormous trials and hardships and loses everything except for his life, he questions God about why he deserved all that had happened. He never renounces God as some of his friends and family suggest, but he also struggles with admitting any wrongdoing because he felt that his righteousness before the Lord deserved reward and blessings. Though Job had indeed been a righteous man before God, the Lord responded to Job in chapters 38-41 and made it very clear that no one is in a place to question God's purpose or plan and that no one has a true understanding of things in the world or outside the world except for God. The Lord responds with stern love and even sarcasm as he asks Job question and after question to illustrate to Job his extreme lack of understanding in the presence of a great God! 

“Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand.
Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! 

“What is the way to the abode of light?
   And where does darkness reside?
Can you take them to their places?
   Do you know the paths to their dwellings?
Surely you know, for you were already born!
   You have lived so many years!

“Have you entered the storehouses of the snow
   or seen the storehouses of the hail, which I reserve for times of trouble,
   for days of war and battle? 

 “Do you hunt the prey for the lioness
   and satisfy the hunger of the lions
when they crouch in their dens
   or lie in wait in a thicket?
Who provides food for the raven
   when its young cry out to God
   and wander about for lack of food?"

These are just a few of the many convicting questions that the Lord asks Job!  When we are going through an incredibly difficult circumstance, we humans have a difficult time understanding God's hand in the situation and we often start questioning and doubting His love or concern for us. In reality, how very very little we understand at all!  I've encountered this in my life time after time, and I know as I grow older, I will continue to struggle with this; I pray that each time it happens, I will be reminded of this Scripture from Job so that my heart will be humbled again and again. It is only after I set aside my pride and it is only after I set aside my desire for the "rights" I think I ought to have as a human or Christian that I am finally at a place where the Lord can "become greater while I must become less" (John 3:30)...where He can lead me into a lasting relationship with God. 

The Lord chastens whom He loves (Psalm 94:12, Proverbs 3:12, Hebrews 6:12).  Don't immediately get mad if you feel that someone is "judging you," especially if you are a Christian being rebuked by another Christian:  first, pray to the Lord and ask HIM if this is something that He wants you to change. Though the person who has rebuked you is also a sinner and may have many "planks" to take out of their own eye, it IS very possible that the Lord uses other Christians to rebuke us from our sin.  Though it is not fun at the time, I love the Lord's chastening and the conviction He puts in my heart because I know He is saving me from my sin nature every day as He is always teaching me something!  This does not mean He saves my soul every day (that's a one-time amazing life-changing event when you accept the Lord as your Savior!), but rather, He convicts my heart of the sin in my life that I will have to continue fighting as long as I'm living in this dying body in this dying world until He gives me a new body and brings me to eternal life with Him in Heaven!

Behold our God!  This is an amazing worship song that I just learned this past weekend on Palm Sunday while visiting my sister's church in Tennessee. This song is what reminded me of these chapters in Job that I love so much, so I want to share it with you!  I encourage you to play the video, close your eyes (or focus on the words in the song) as you humble your heart before the Lord!  There is no greater thing than being in a true relationship with the Lord and being humble and vulnerable toward Him as you entrust your life to Him!

I pray this song and the book of Job both encourages you and humbles your heart as it does mine!  Send me a message if this video doesn't work; it isn't mine and sometimes videos are taken down from Youtube, so I can try to find a different one if this one disappears.

God Bless you!