Editor’s Note: We’re taking some time to talk about books of the Bible that aren’t always highest on our to-read list – encouraging one another to dig in to all Scripture with the same confidence that the Lord will meet us in his Word, no matter how difficult the reading may be. Stay tuned!
A wise man once asked, “Why do we worship God?” When I heard this question, multiple reasons flooded my head: because he is loving, kind, faithful, sovereign, because he’s our Savior, Father, Friend. The list could go on and on. I’m sure there were names and qualities of God that popped into your head when you read that question. What were they?
Okay, now do you want to know the answer? Drum roll…we worship God because he is God!
That’s it. It’s so simple and yet so thought provoking and powerful. It reminded me of when I was reading through Job during my Bible reading plan a few years ago. Now, Job is not a book that I generally have been really excited to get into. Historically, when I’ve seen it creeping up on my reading plan, I start to feel a little heavy, sad, and burdened—before I even read the first words. I’m sure you can relate, if not with the book Job, then probably with at least one other book of the Bible. However, my loving, kind, faithful, sovereign God had a treat waiting for me this time.
Before I started reading, I stopped and prayed, asking that the Lord would help me to learn; and hey–crazy thought–maybe even enjoy this read-through of Job. Wouldn’t you know? He captured my attention from the very first chapter. He opened my eyes to the upright and blameless Job, who feared God and turned away from evil. He showed me Satan’s baseless accusation that the only reason Job faithfully served and feared the Lord was because he was rich and blessed in every way. He revealed God’s complete control over the entire situation. He led me to the heart wrenching questions, accusations, and cries that Job offers up before his God. He showed me the example of Job’s friends, who were trying to be caring and helpful but instead were feeding Job false doctrine and unable to help their friend at all.
The book of Job contains chapter after chapter of sinful men talking, trying to make sense of what’s happening and trying to find a way to make the suffering end. And then God speaks. And what does He say? We want him to answer all of Job’s questions of why. Does He?
No—at least, not in the way we would expect. Instead, he starts to proclaim who he is. In turn, he now asks Job a bunch of questions that point to the fact that God laid the foundation of the earth. He created the sea and created the clouds and thick darkness to hold it in place, and he sets its limits. He commands the morning and cleaves a channel for the torrents of rain. He knows the ordinances of the heavens and establishes their rule on the earth. He brings forth lightning, puts wisdom in the inward parts, and gives understanding to the mind. He hunts the prey for the lion and satisfies the appetite of its young. He knows when the mountain goat gives birth and lets the wild donkey go free. He gives the horse his might and mane and makes him leap like the locusts. He has given the hawk understanding and he commands the eagle to make its nest on high.
From the seemingly insignificant dew to the mind-blowing purposes of the universe and its stars, God creates and directs it all. And like Job, I was left completely humbled: jaw-to-the-floor, hands-lifted-high kind of humbled. In complete awe of the knowledge, power, and wisdom of our amazing God, and completely humbled that he has made a way for me to have a relationship with him. How small am I? How big is he!
That was all that it took. God proclaimed that he indeed is God and Job’s heart and mind were calmed. His eyes were opened and fixed on Yahweh.
Be still and know that he is God (Psalm 46:10). What an awesome truth. What peace, joy, rest, comfort, and resolve come from knowing this truth and having a relationship with the one true God. I pray that no matter what you are going through right now, no matter where you are, that the Lord would give you the grace to be still and know that he is God.
