All Things Are Possible    Devotion for Wednesday, May 07, 2008

Previous   Next Scripture tells of many prayers--urgent requests to God for help. In All Things Are Possible, author Daniel Partner tells of devotional meaning in seventy-five of these prayers. Partner's insightful, accessible readings show that no human problem is unique and that God hears believers' prayers. Not only can the answers be miraculous--prayer itself is a miracle. While reading All Things Are Possible, Christians will see their own struggles in the prayers of biblical characters, be encouraged to lift their voices to heaven like the saints of old, and embrace Jesus' promise: "All things are possible to him who believes" (Mark 9:23 NASB). This devotional employs various translations of Scripture. Soft cover from Barbour Publishing, Inc., copyright 2002

"DAY THIRTY-SEVEN"

Moreover the Lord answered Job,
and said, Shall he that contendeth
with the Almighty instruct him?
he that reproveth God, let him answer it.
Then Job answered the Lord,
and said, Behold, I am vile;
what shall I answer thee?
I will lay mine hand upon my mouth
. Once have I spoken; but I will not answer.
yea, twice; but I will proceed no further. - JOB 40:1-5

I wish I could print here all of God's words to Job in chapter 38, when "the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me. Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding" (Job 38:1-4).

God asks question after question to expose Job's utter ignorance of the divine ways. "Hast thou entered into the springs of the sea? or hast thou walked in the search of the depth? Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death? Hast thou perceived the breadth of the earth? declare if thou knowest it all" (38:16-18). This goes on and on, and Job is perfectly silenced.

These questions pummeled Job like the wind and earthquake that shook Elijah on Mount Horeb (1 Kings 19:11); they scorched Job like the fire that came when the Lord passed by Elijah (v. 12). As Job 40 opens, Job has given no answer. God spoke again, but this time not out of the whirlwind (38:1). I think this was a still small voice like that which spoke to Elijah (1 Kings 19:12-13). Job's heart was finally pierced by the inner voice of God, and he cried in repentance, "I am vile!"

Wind, earthquake, and fire can pass through our lives in the form of great happenings or personal troubles. We can be shaken by tragedy or awed by auspicious events. All can mercifully open our spiritual ears to hear the still small voice and lead to true repentance, causing believers to willingly say to God, "I lay my hand upon my mouth" and be silent and be taught.

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