Monday, November 12, 2012

Life Journal 11-12-2012

Our Majestic God

(S) Scripture
Job 38:1-41 (NASB77)
1  Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said,  
2  "Who is this that darkens counsel By words without knowledge?
3  "Now gird up your loins like a man, And I will ask you, and you instruct Me!
4  "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding,
5  Who set its measurements, since you know? Or who stretched the line on it?
6  "On what were its bases sunk? Or who laid its cornerstone,
7  When the morning stars sang together, And all the sons of God shouted for joy?    
8  "Or who enclosed the sea with doors, When, bursting forth, it went out from the womb;
9  When I made a cloud its garment, And thick darkness its swaddling band,
10  And I placed boundaries on it, And I set a bolt and doors,
11  And I said, 'Thus far you shall come, but no farther; And here shall your proud waves stop'?    
12 "Have you ever in your life commanded the morning, 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 is changed like clay under the seal; And they stand forth like a garment.
15  "And from the wicked their light is withheld, And the uplifted arm is broken.    
16  "Have you entered into the springs of the sea? Or have you walked in the recesses of the deep?
17  "Have the gates of death been revealed to you? Or have you seen the gates of deep darkness?
18  "Have you understood the expanse 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, And that you may discern the paths to its home?
21  "You know, for you were born then, And the number of your days is great!
22  "Have you entered the storehouses of the snow, Or have you seen the storehouses of the hail,
23  Which I have reserved for the time of distress, For the day of war and battle?
24  "Where is the way that the light is divided, Or the east wind scattered on the earth?    
25  "Who has cleft a channel for the flood, Or a way for the thunderbolt;
26  To bring rain on a land without people, On a desert without a man in it,
27  To satisfy the waste and desolate land, And to make the seeds of grass to sprout?
28  "Has the rain a father? Or who has begotten the drops of dew?
29  "From whose womb has come the ice? And the frost of heaven, who has given it birth?
30  "Water becomes hard like stone, And the surface of the deep is imprisoned.    
31  "Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades, Or loose the cords of Orion?
32  "Can you lead forth a constellation in its season, And guide the Bear with her satellites?
33  "Do you know the ordinances of the heavens, Or fix their rule over the earth?    
34  "Can you lift up your voice to the clouds, So that an abundance of water may cover you?
35  "Can you send forth lightnings that they may go And say to you, 'Here we are'?
36  "Who has put wisdom in the innermost being, Or has given understanding to the mind?
37  "Who can count the clouds by wisdom, Or tip the water jars of the heavens,
38  When the dust hardens into a mass, And the clods stick together?    
39  "Can you hunt the prey for the lion, Or satisfy the appetite of the young lions,
40  When they crouch in their dens, And lie in wait in their lair?
41  "Who prepares for the raven its nourishment, When its young cry to God, And wander about without food?

(O) Observation
This is the Lord speaking to Job. The Lord describes His work and creation and his rule over it. It is a clear reminder the Lord is God and Job is not.

(A) Application
As I read this passage I was simply caught up in the majesty of God. He created all that is and controls all that is. His creation and works are beyond our understanding or comprehension. These set Him apart and show us His glory and majesty. I am reminded that Isaiah wrote these words, "To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?" says the Holy One. Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing" (Isaiah 40:25-26 NIV). It is easy to slip into thinking of God in common
terms and to strip Him of His majesty and power.
This passage in Job allowed me to simply pause, remember and reflect on how majestic the God I serve really is. He is like No Other, full of power. He reigns over all, He is the God of heaven who created and controls all that is. What a great way to begin the day.

(P) Prayer
Lord, let me dwell on your majesty. I am grateful that you, the majestic God, chose to love me. Today I want to live in such a way that others may see and be drawn to your majesty. Amen

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