Lessons from Job

We normally think of Job when we think of difficult circumstances in our lives that we would rather not go through.  I have found however, that Job is a good reminder even when things are going well.  I particularly relate to chapter 42:1-3

"Then Job answered the Lord and said, 'I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.  'Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?' 'Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.'" (NASB)

I read this verse and it humbles me.  The first statement is a statement of authority - Job knows that God can do all things.  There is nothing that can tell God what he should or should not do.  God is bound solely by the nature of His own character.  God is in charge.  He can do whatever He wants.  He is God and I am not.  I cannot do all things.  I can only do a limited amount of things - most of which should be the things that He commands me to do. 

The second statement is a statement of control - nothing that God purposes can be thwarted!  Nothing that God sets His mind to do can be avoided!  If God promises something, it will be accomplished.  This is a statement that brings great hope, even when what God is allowing may not be pleasant because it means that all that God has promised will come true. 

The third part of these verses is essentially a statement of the humility required when we face a God of this nature.  We must come into His presence with the understand that we know nothing in comparison to that which He knows, and that which we do know we know only because He has chosen to allow us to know it.  Deep thoughts, right.  

And yet in spite of the truth of these verses I so often come before God telling Him how He should run not just my life but the lives of all of those around me as well.   How foolish of me.  And that is why these verses are a good reminder - if only to help me avoid my own foolish thoughts!