Festival of St. Philip and St. James the Less, Apostles

Scripture: Job 38:1-11 (NKJV)

38:1 Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said:

2 “Who is this who darkens counsel by words without knowledge?

3 “Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me.

4 “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding.

5 “Who determined its measurements? Surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it?

6 “To what were its foundations fastened? Or who laid its cornerstone,

7 “When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

8 “Or who shut in the sea with doors, when it burst forth and issued from the womb;

9 “When I made the clouds its garment, and thick darkness its swaddling band;

10 “When I fixed My limit for it, and set bars and doors;

11 “When I said, ‘This far you may come, but no farther, and here your proud waves must stop!’”

Devotion

God communicated directly with several well-known Old Testament figures, such as Adam, Noah, Moses, and Elijah. But perhaps none of these encounters were as dramatic as God speaking out of a whirlwind to Job. Surely this must have intimidated Job greatly, as he feared what God would say and do. The monologue which follows justifies Job’s fear, as God declares that Job is in no position to debate with Him. “Who is this who darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me. Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements? Surely you know!”

But note God isn’t “throwing His weight around” to bully Job into submission. Rather, He is changing Job’s perspective, as He often must do with us. Our sinful nature easily falls into the trap of elevating the self and degrading God. Therefore, the Law must do its difficult job of turning our upside down view into one that is right side up. His Spirit and Law moves us to fear and repentance, and then we can faithfully cry out with a humble heart, saying, “Lord, have mercy.”

Prayer: Almighty God, Who showest to them that be in error the light of Thy truth, to the intent that they may return into the way of righteousness: Grant unto all them that are admitted into the fellowship of Christ’s Religion that they may eschew those things that are contrary to their profession, and follow all such things as are agreeable to the same; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.

Collect for the Festival of St. Philip and St. James the Less, Apostles
O Almighty God, Whom to know is everlasting life: Grant us perfectly to know Thy Son Jesus Christ to be the Way, the Truth, and the Life; that following His steps we may steadfastly walk in the way that leadeth to eternal life; through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.