By now, you’re undoubtedly aware of Superstorm Sandy, which slammed into the Northeast at the beginning of this week. Just a few of the numbers regarding the impact of this storm are hard to fathom.
The power of God displayed through His creation is astonishing. Whether with earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, tornados, hurricanes, etc., this much is clear: God can bring sudden, shocking, comprehensive destruction whenever and wherever He chooses! There is no escape from His authority, and there is no successful questioning of His counsel.
“He loads the thick cloud with moisture; the clouds scatter his lightning. They turn around and around by his guidance, to accomplish all that he commands them on the face of the habitable world. Whether for correction or for his land or for love, he causes it to happen.” (Job 37:11-13)
Have you recently considered Job, a righteous man who suffered much in God’s good design (see Job 1-2)? In all Job experienced, he never cursed God. But he did question Him…a very foolish thing to do! Yet in mercy and grace, God brought healing rebuke to Job, first through Ellihu (Job 33-37). Then God Himself spoke to Job, interestingly from “…out of the whirlwind” (Job 38-41). Fortunately Job listened, repented, and tasted God’s favor afresh (Job 42). Job came to understand the truth of Elihu’s words:
“Therefore men fear him; he does not regard any who are wise in their own conceit.” (Job 37:24)
Beloved, don’t be wise in your own conceit! Ours is not to proudly question God’s works and His ways with the storms He causes. Rather, we are to tremble before Him, in the joyful, secure hope of His saving mercy in Jesus Christ. Pondering God’s dealings with Job, songwriter Wes King asks the right question: Do You Tremble?
Learning to tremble with you,
Greg