Job 38:1-13, 16-18 New Century Version 1 Then the Lord answered Job from the storm. He said: 2 "Who is this that makes my purpose unclear by saying things that are not true? 3 Be strong like a man! I will ask you questions, and you must answer me. 4 Where were you when I made the earth's foundation? Tell me, if you understand. 5 Who marked off how big it should be? Surely you know! Who stretched a ruler across it? 6 What were the earth's foundations set on, or who put its cornerstone in place 7 while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted with joy? 8 Who shut the doors to keep the sea in when it broke through and was born, 9 when I made the clouds like a coat for the sea and wrapped it in dark clouds, 10 when I put limits on the sea and put its doors and bars in place, 11 when I said to the sea, 'You may come this far, but no farther; this is where your proud waves must stop'? 12 Have you ever ordered the morning to begin or shown the dawn where its place was 13 in order to take hold of the earth by its edges and shake evil people out of it? 16 Have you ever gone to where the sea begins or walked in the valleys under the sea? 17 Have the gates of death been opened to you? Have you seen the gates of the deep darkness? 18 Do you understand how wide the earth is? Tell me, if you know all these things." If you are like me, then you have no idea what the answers are to these questions. However, these questions give us a glimpse of how wise, powerful and all-knowing our God really is. He created the earth and all that is in it without any help from us. No wonder the psalmist David cried out "What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of [earthborn] man that You care for him?" (Ps 8: 4 Amp) I am sure that, at times, we all wonder the very same thing. Could it be because we are the only creatures that the Bible describes as being made in His image? Also, God took the time to breathe life into our body that we may live and freely give Him praise! I may not know where darkness lives (Job 38:19), but I know the One who does! Do you know Him, today? I mean, do you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Romans 10:9 (NCV) says If you use your mouth to say, "Jesus is Lord," and if you believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, you will be saved. Doing this begins your relationship. But you have to nurture it and persevere to keep it going by reading the word of God and joining an assembly (church) of strong believers who will teach and guide you. I hope you enjoyed reading the word of God in a new light. Have a Happy Wednesday! God Bless, Min. Tommy & Sis. Shatika Gray Scripture References (NCV) Job 38:19-21 "What is the path to light's home, and where does darkness live? Can you take them to their places? Do you know the way to their homes? Surely you know, if you were already born when all this happened! Have you lived that many years?" Rom 3:21-24 But God has a way to make people right with him without the law, and he has now shown us that way which the law and the prophets told us about. God makes people right with himself through their faith in Jesus Christ. This is true for all who believe in Christ, because all people are the same: All have sinned and are not good enough for God's glory, and all need to be made right with God by his grace, which is a free gift. They need to be made free from sin through Jesus Christ. |
| What Do You Know? May 19, 2004 |