THE POWERFUL AND TRANSCENDENT GOD
- Key Verse
- "The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power; in His justice and great righteousness, He does not oppress." (Job 37:23)
READ THE CHAPTER
Central Truth
God is majestic and in control of all creation, through which He displays His POWER. He reveals Himself to man as TRANSCENDENT, beyond our ability to fully understand.
Reflections
Elihu is unlike Job's other three "friends." He speaks only once but at length (Chapters 32-37). He is younger. He speaks with wisdom. He displays a much richer understanding of the character of God. And he offers Job a perspective on God and on his extremely difficult and confusing circumstances that is worthy of Job's consideration.
Elihu speaks to Job of a God who has revealed His POWER through creation and who TRANSCENDS man and his ability to understand. We all need to be pointed back to these truths when we struggle with "why'" questions, which we all will at different points in our lives.
Personal issues like the loss of a loved one, loss of health through disease or accident, a broken relationship, financial struggles, or an unrealized dream cause us to grapple with the "why" of adversity in our lives. Many of us also grapple with "why" on a more global scale -- why do genocide, disease, poverty, ignorance, limited opportunity, and corrupt leadership exist, impacting the lives of hundreds of millions on a daily basis?
God sometimes provides full or partial insight into our "why" questions. Other times He remains silent, and He calls us to a life of greater dependence and trust. The words of the Psalmist provide good perspective: "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." (Psalm 46:10).
There are times in our life when God is our only refuge. We need to quietly cling to Him with the little faith we may possess. We will not find the insight and support we are seeking from within, our family or friends, self-help techniques, a motivational talk, or any resource other than God Himself. Additionally, we need to accept the fact that there are no guarantees from God regarding our agenda and plans. However, we can be confident that God's agenda and plans will prevail. It is ultimately all about Him and His glory, and not about us! A simple concept, but a hard one to embrace.
Discussion Questions
1. Do you see God as big and powerful or difficult circumstances as big and powerful?2. Do you see God as an idealized human or as One who transcends man and our ability to understand?
3. How do you respond when God is silent in response to your "why" questions?
4. What step(s) could you take today toward a life of greater dependence on and trust in a powerful and transcendent God?
April 20, 2010 04:49 AM
Blake, Thanks for the insightful study. He does call me to a life of greater dependence and trust in Him by the study and obedience to His word, prayer and fellowship with other believers. Praise God that His plans and agenda go forward even when I am weak.
Keith Tooley
April 20, 2010 05:23 AM
Blake, Thanks for pointing us to the magnitude of our God in your devotional. He is much greater than we can imagine, and His ways are not our ways. I tend to put Him in a box and limit His capability when I am struggling with things out of my control and God seems silent. The challenge is to trust Him all the more because He cares and is working in and through our situations. God, help me to be steadfast in you.
Graham Smith
April 20, 2010 06:02 AM
Great Post! God's transcendence causes us to "live by faith, not by sight" (2Co.5:7). Many theological concepts are beyond our comprehension this side of heaven, including in my case, predestination, election, and the hypostatic union. Aren't we glad God is Sovereign?
randy
April 20, 2010 07:10 AM
thank you Blake for your devo this morning - really great reminder that "it is ultimately all about Him and His glory, and not about us! A simple concept, but a hard one to embrace."
Heather
April 20, 2010 08:05 AM
Fantastic, concise summary. I love the challenge to remember God is transcendent. Great discussion questions. Thank you, Blake!
Joy Cunningham
April 20, 2010 09:25 AM
Loved Question Number 2! Had not really thought about how often we as believers see God as an Idealized Human. Live in Northern Alberta Canada and really am enjoying the Journey! Blessings,
Marilyn Dixon
April 20, 2010 09:38 AM
Very good devotional, Blake. Thanks for reminding us that "we can be confident that God's agenda and plans will prevail. It is ultimately all about Him and His glory, and not about us! "
Julie Winton
April 20, 2010 10:20 AM
Blake, thanks for the encouraging words. Great job or Job! ha. julie
Judy Miller
April 20, 2010 11:27 AM
Thanks Blake for good insight into the passage. It is good to be able to rest in the fact that God is in all control of all creation and I can trust Him to guide me.
Dick Miller
April 20, 2010 11:27 AM
Blake, that is a good word and God is great and God good, although not safe.