Answer in the Form of a Question

Scripture: Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind. He said ... Job 38:1

Observation: The Lord suddenly appears to confront Job and his friends - to "answer" him. However, there won't be any traditional answers, only questions. In the next two chapters alone, God asks Job about ... his own birth, creation, the earth, the seas, the wind, clouds, rain, snow, hail, dew, ice, deserts, grass, lightening, dawn, evening, light, night, stars, constellations, human wisdom, bears, lions, ravens, goats, donkeys, oxen, ostrich, horses, hawks, and eagles.

This is just a serious of "what do you know about ..." questions. He inquires into source, nature, dimensions, natural laws, motion, timing, habits, feeding, birthing, and hunting practices. The point is simple: God commands everything. From the creation of the earth, to the motion of the heavens, to the birth of a goat, to a lightening strike, to the growing of grass, to the kill made by an eagle ... God defined, created, and oversees it all.

Therefore, certainly whatever Job and his friends have debated about God's control, decisions, and practices associated with Job, his family, his fate, and the associated lives of both evil or righteous people ... God is in control, and all this talk is foolishness.

Application: God is in control of everything in and around my life. God "answered" Job with questions. When I then have questions about fairness, or future comfort, or direction for my children, God already has the answers, and those answers will be questions back to me about my faith, understanding, and love.

I don't grow my faith by asking more questions. I grow my faith by understanding the answers to God's questions - or understanding the unanswerable nature of his questions - and thus relying upon him without my questions being asked or answered.

Prayer: Lord, today I hand over more of myself. I surrender my questions and concerns. Please take any fears, doubt, or stress, as I release it to your control. You do control everything, and certainly a believe my life, and the lives of my family, are more valuable than a sparrow. It is all yours. Amen.