Please God, Do As I Ask!
Opening Prayer
Think for a moment about the beauty and grandeur of God’s creation. Thank and praise God for them.
Read JOB 40:1-24
[1] The LORD said to Job: [2] “Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him? Let him who accuses God answer him!” [3] Then Job answered the LORD: [4] “I am unworthy-how can I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth. [5] I spoke once, but I have no answer- twice, but I will say no more.” [6] Then the LORD spoke to Job out of the storm: [7] “Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me. [8] “Would you discredit my justice? Would you condemn me to justify yourself? [9] Do you have an arm like God’s, and can your voice thunder like his? [10] Then adorn yourself with glory and splendor, and clothe yourself in honor and majesty. [11] Unleash the fury of your wrath, look at all who are proud and bring them low, [12] look at all who are proud and humble them, crush the wicked where they stand. [13] Bury them all in the dust together; shroud their faces in the grave. [14] Then I myself will admit to you that your own right hand can save you. [15] “Look at Behemoth, which I made along with you and which feeds on grass like an ox. [16] What strength it has in its loins, what power in the muscles of its belly! [17] Its tail sways like a cedar; the sinews of its thighs are close-knit. [18] Its bones are tubes of bronze, its limbs like rods of iron. [19] It ranks first among the works of God, yet its Maker can approach it with his sword. [20] The hills bring it their produce, and all the wild animals play nearby. [21] Under the lotus plants it lies, hidden among the reeds in the marsh. [22] The lotuses conceal it in their shadow; the poplars by the stream surround it. [23] A raging river does not alarm it; it is secure, though the Jordan should surge against its mouth. [24] Can anyone capture it by the eyes, or trap it and pierce its nose? Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
How were Job's accusations reflecting on God (8)?Job accused God of injustice, and God challenges him to reply. However, Job knows he is totally unqualified to do so (4,5). Job has accused God of being unjust (see 19:6). Now God challenges Job again: can Job act like God? Can he show the world his glory, might and power (9,10)? Can a man, in his anger, act as God can (11)? Could a man, without any of our modern aids, control huge beasts (15-24)? God has still not answered any of Job’s questions or accusations, yet Job now feels small and humbled in the face of God’s might, and doesn’t seek further answers.
Do we ourselves have unanswered questions and prayers, things we have begged God to do for months or maybe years? Perhaps they’re things that seem easy for God to do. Perhaps we feel like shouting at God and asking him why he doesn’t act. But could we be asking God to do things the way we want, as Job did, not as God sees best? When we think we know how things ought to be, we can forget that it is Almighty God who is in control.
Apply
Reflect again on the majesty of the all-wise God we worship. Praise him that he knows what is best.
Closing prayer
Lord, I know that I, like Job, am unworthy to accuse You of anything. Keep me humble and trusting You, I pray.
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