ESOCS Devotional 15 October 2024 – Where Were You?
MEMORY VERSE: “Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.” Job 38:4
TEXT: JOB 38:1-21
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!’
12 “Have you commanded the morning since your days began,
And caused the dawn to know its place,
13 That it might take hold of the ends of the earth,
And the wicked be shaken out of it?
14 It takes on form like clay under a seal,
And stands out like a garment.
15 From the wicked their light is withheld,
And the upraised arm is broken.
16 “Have you entered the springs of the sea?
Or have you walked in search of the depths?
17 Have the gates of death been revealed to you?
Or have you seen the doors of the shadow of death?
18 Have you comprehended the breadth of the earth?
Tell Me, if you know all this.
19 “Where is the way to the dwelling of light?
And darkness, where is its place,
20 That you may take it to its territory,
That you may know the paths to its home?
21 Do you know it, because you were born then,
Or because the number of your days is great?
Read Other ESOCS Devotional Here
God’s answer to Job was not what he expected and not at all what we expect. Rather than answer our question, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” God asks us questions: What’s going on here? I think that two things are happening: First, God wants us to know that our idea of who God is, is way too small. We think that our God is a God that mechanically passes out blessings every time we do something good and punishes us whenever we do something bad. But that is not what God is about. God is much more than just a dispenser of blessings and curses. And this brings us to the second thing that God wants us to know.
God is the Creator and sustainer of the whole world. God’s responsibility is to make everything work together. God creates each day, sends the sunshine and the rain. God nurtures the seed in the ground to make it grow. But sometimes, the seed dies for lack of water because God has sent the rain to water someplace else. If we focus only on ourselves, we would think that God is unjust. But if we could see things from God’s perspective, we would know that God is good and acting justly. So, when we see bad things happening to good people, we need to remember that this is only a small part of the much larger plan that God is managing. Since this larger plan is often hidden from our sight and understanding, we are left with a mystery.
So, when a loved one loses her health, or a family member loses a house or a job, it is OK to ask, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” But we have to be prepared not to receive an answer, at least, the answer we want because the world we live in is mysterious. We don’t know fully what God is up to. So, all we can do is trust God to do what is best for the whole world. And if God is at work in the world, we will be truly blessed.
Not knowing fully what is going on around us is difficult for us. We like to be in control. So, we pray to God asking God to do what we want done. But if our prayers are not answered and we ask God, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” be prepared to receive not an answer, which would bet a question. God will ask you, “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?” And you will be left with a mystery that somehow your loss and pain and suffering is part of God’s plan for the whole world. We need something to sustain us as we face this mystery. Father in heaven, we know that you love us and always do what is best for us. But sometimes we just can’t figure out, “Why bad things happen to good people?” Sustain us in this mystery with your love and presence; and assure us that whatever happens, you are in control. We worship you O God, our Creator and Sustainer. Amen.
- Learn to trust God in all circumstances and do not question His will in anything or situation.
- Lord, give me the fortitude to endure all things for your sake.
Further Reading: Proverbs 22:1-12; Luke 19:41-end; 2 Corinthians 2:5-end
ESOCS Devotional 15 October 2024
