Do you know the story of Job in the Bible? Most people just remember that he was the guy that God allowed Satan to torment with all kinds of grief and misfortune. The story ends well for Job as he ends up more blessed than he was at the beginning. However, what is often missed is that there are 37 chapters of Job, his wife, and his friends trying to figure out God’s purpose in permitting all the grief and pain he was experiencing. Most of their understanding was childish, uninformed and, at times, appeared to be totally disconnected from any knowledge of the Lord.
By chapter 38, God had heard enough!
“Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words? Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.” Job 38:2-3 (NLT)
Neither Job, nor his friends, knew what supported the foundations of the earth. He didn’t know who kept the seas confined to the shores. He didn’t know how to command the morning to appear. He had never seen the gates of death much less have any idea where they were located. God was asking God-sized questions with God-sized answers and Job was grossly unqualified to answer. It is not until chapter 42 where Job gets what God has been after all along.
Job responds, “I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you. You asked, ‘Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?’ It is I—and I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me. You said, ‘Listen and I will speak! I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.’ I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes.” Job 42:1-5 (NLT)
Looking for answers is a waste of time when we should be looking for Him. And, contrary to popular opinion, God doesn’t hide when things are bad.