He Causes It to Happen [Job 37]

  2"Listen closely to the thunder of His voice,
         And the rumbling that goes out from His mouth.
    3"Under the whole heaven He lets it loose,
         And His lightning to the ends of the earth.
    4"After it, a voice roars;
         He thunders with His majestic voice,
         And He does not restrain the lightnings when His voice is heard.
    5"God thunders with His voice wondrously,
         Doing great things which we cannot comprehend.
10"From the breath of God ice is made,
         And the expanse of the waters is frozen.
    11"Also with moisture He loads the thick cloud;
         He disperses the cloud of His lightning.
    12"It changes direction, turning around by His guidance,
         That it may do whatever He commands it
         On the face of the inhabited earth.
    13"Whether for correction, or for His world,
         Or for lovingkindness, He causes it to happen.


Elihu set the record straight about God's majesty and wonder.  He also set the stage for Job to hear God speak.  There is nothing like a storm to remind mankind how fragile and out of control he really is.  And how powerful God is.  It reminds me of the story in the New Testament about the disciples and Jesus in a storm.  Jesus slept peacefully through it while terror struck the hearts of the Peter, James and John.  They were sure they were going to die  so they frantically woke Jesus up. His question, "Where is your faith?" reminded them that their fear had caused them to forget that God was in the storm and that God was in the boat.  When he calmed the sea by just speaking, "Hush, be still,"  they were amazed that Jesus could make even a storm obey Him.

Job was being reminded of the same truth - God is in the storm.  The storm will do "whatever He commands it" all over the face of the earth. "Whether for correction, or for His world, or for lovingkindness, He causes it to happen."  God has all kinds of reasons and plans for each storm.  He is in control of all the earth.  Knowing that He is a loving God, working according to His good pleasure keeps this whole idea in proper perspective.  He is God and we are not.

God, we praise You that You are so wondrously in control of all of nature.  We see glimpses of Your power when we see powerful storms.  We acknowledge that You are God Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.  Thank You for loving us and using all creation for Your good purpose.  Cause us to have faith in You today because of this reminder in Job.


Verna McCrillis, 4/12/2010
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chuchu (Guest) 12/21/2023 03:06
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