Monday after Jubilate
Posted on May 9, 2022 by under
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
In yesterday’s Gospel (John 16:16-23), Jesus spoke of a little while of sorrow followed by endless joy. Much of our sorrow in this life comes from not understanding God’s plan behind our suffering. That was true for Jesus’ disciples. It was also true for Job. In addition to the rest of his afflictions, he was sorrowful because he didn’t understand why the Lord would bring those afflictions on him. And in his prolonged sorrow, he finally gave in to his flesh and began to assume that God’s understanding was flawed, too.
But the Lord humbled him again with a stern reminder that the Lord’s knowledge and understanding go far beyond what any man can fathom. If God had the understanding to design and build the whole creation without our help, then surely He also knows how to rule the lives of men according to a good and gracious plan.
Today’s Scripture offers a warning, but also great comfort. When you’re hurting and you don’t understand God’s plan for your life, don’t let Satan take advantage, so that you accuse God of a lack of mercy or understanding. Instead, remember that there is a God in heaven who knows and understands all things, who created all things in wisdom, and who has redeemed mankind through the death of His Son and promised His believers a joyful end.
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.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
