ALL THINGS ARE UNDER GOD
- Key Verse
- "If it were his intention and he withdrew his spirit and breath, all mankind would perish together and man would return to the dust." (Job 34:14-15)
READ THE CHAPTER
Central Truth
Nothing comes into our lives without passing through God's hands first.
Reflections
First of all, Elihu is wrong. He thinks that Job has some secret sin that has been the cause of the suffering seen earlier in the book. However, Elihu does provide a central truth that is expanded on toward the end of the book: the sovereignty of God. Nothing has come into Job’s life that has not passed through God’s hands first. The same goes for us. Nothing comes into our lives without passing through God’s hands first.
Knowing this, does it mean we cannot feel let down or disappointed? Of course not. Disappointment with God is a common theme throughout the Old Testament. The only people not disappointed by God at some point are those who did not try to engage with Him. Can we challenge Him? Can we yell at Him? Yes. God desires a relationship and a relationship is built on honest emotion and thought. Will we change God's mind? Maybe. Ultimately, it all depends on Him, and if He chooses not to change His mind, well, He is sovereign. But even when God allows bad things to happen, He can redeem those things for His purposes and our good.
The danger, one that Job never succumbed to, is to allow disappointment with God to become hard heartedness or rebelliousness. Elihu points this out at the end of the chapter. God would rather you engage with Him and express your disappointment and frustration than turn your back on Him, since that hurts you more than it hurts God.
Discussion Questions
1. What hinders your honest emotional connection with God?2. Do you ever bottle up your feelings toward God instead of letting them out?
April 15, 2010 06:05 AM
Yes! God desires a relationship with me, open and honest. Thanks for pointing that out this morning. I enjoyed your summary.
Mark Sutton
April 15, 2010 06:14 AM
Jason, Thanks for the devotion this morning. In the past I couldn't get past feelings of being condemned by God. Then the Lord put Romans 8:1 on my heart and it allowed me to open up to him with more of my emotions. What freedom. My emotional connection with the Lord is now one of consistent hunger for his word and hand in my life. Our God reigns and He is to be praised!
Chip Smith
April 15, 2010 06:54 AM
Good morning Jason. Your highlighted passage reminds me of when I was studying atomic energy and quantum theory. I ran into a conundrum as to the fact that forces that repel each other were existing together inside the atom. How could that be?! Then I came across this scripture: "He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together." Colossians 1:17 Look what we discovered when we discovered how to split an atom! In the same vein, when we refuse to let God hold our lives together, the blast zone of harm can be enormous. Have a great day and thanks for a very good log this morning.
Sheryl Lucier
April 15, 2010 07:18 AM
WOW! Jason, thank you so much for your words this morning. I am going through the most difficult time of my life...and feel like Job most days....wondering WHY? Why, is all this is happening to me.....It is only my faith that gets my through day to day....but at times I do feel a little "heart hardened". I am so glad we are studying Job in our journey...it has really helped me keep a more healthy perspective on my life. Thank you so much for your reminder today. Blessings to you today.
Mikaela
April 15, 2010 07:59 AM
Yes! God does want an honest relationship with me. Thanks for pointing that out to me in your summary. (I like history and I love reading. I have at least one hundred books in my bookcase.)
randy
April 15, 2010 08:57 AM
Jason, thanks for the devo this morning!!! Very encouraging reminder that God is indeed sovereign...
Beckye Estill
April 15, 2010 03:10 PM
Great devotional, Jason! Hallelujah, our God is big enough to handle our true emotions and struggles, and wants us to be REAL in our relationship with Him! I love Psalm 62:8 "Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge."