“What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” - A.W. Tozier
If it's that important, why don't we ask ourselves this question more often? And, better yet, what is our answer?
If you search the attributes of God, you'll likely compile a list of words quite like the one below:
Aseity
Eternity
Goodness
Graciousness
Holiness
Immanence
Immutability
Impassibility
Impeccability
Incomprehensibility
Incorporeality
Infinity
Jealousy
Love
Mission
Mystery
Omnipotence
Omnipresence
Omniscience
Oneness
Providence
Righteousness
Simplicity
Sovereignty
Transcendence
Trinity
Veracity
Wrath
While it's important to know God's attributes, I don't think just his attributes alone give us a clear image of who he is; much less, who he wants to be for us.
Do you ever come across a passage of scripture that you've never read before, and after reading it you feel like you've found buried treasure?
That's EXACTLY how I felt after stumbling across Job 38-39. I had always heard about Job. I'd venture to say Job is one of the more referenced books of the Old Testament. His life is a story of tremendous success and excruciating defeat all wrapped up in 42 chapters.
We like to use Job as a reference when ourselves or others are going through tough times thinking that nothing we go through compares to the despair of Job. If he made it through without sinning against God, surely we can too.
Suffice it to say, I found the book of Job difficult to read and quite frankly disappointing. The first 36 chapters have very little action and nothing but poetic conflict in the form of a conversation between Job and his friends. I actually felt a bit guilty holding this position when it comes to a book of the Holy Bible; however, I've come to terms with the fact that it's His book, not mine, and I have no right to complain.
Hoping that there would be some redeeming quality to Job nearing the end, I came across chapters 38 and 39 where the Lord answers Job. If you haven't read this passage, stop reading this blog, pick up your Bible or Bible app on your phone and read it before you continue. You'll be glad you did.
Wow. I mean, come on.
If God had a Twitter, this would be a thread for the centuries. Come to think of it, this passage is literally a thread for the centuries, so take that Twitter.
Can you imagine God saying just one of those lines to you, much less all of them? First off, God isn't just speaking to Job. He's speaking to Job through a storm.
Are you kidding me? Want to get the point across? Make yourself a storm and speak through it. I'm listening.
Zinger after zinger..
4 “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?
Tell me, if you understand.
5 Who marked off its dimensions?
Surely you know!"
Ouch.
19 “What is the way to the abode of light?
And where does darkness reside?
20 Can you take them to their places?
Do you know the paths to their dwellings?
21 Surely you know, for you were already born!
You have lived so many years!
The sarcasm is on a heavenly level. I can only imagine what Job's embarrassment must have been. There are many verses in this passage that are profoundly impactful, yet one stuck out at me beyond the rest.
31 "...Can you loosen Orion’s belt?"
This one hit me hard.
Orion is 1,344 light years away from our planet. In miles, thats 7.9009e+15. I barely ran two miles on the treadmill today in comparison.
No, I can't loosen Orion's belt. I can't even get close to Orion to see if I could.
The night after the morning I read this passage I found myself on a quail hunting trip in Greutli-Laager, Tennessee. The sky was clear and the first constellation I saw was Orion.
I felt so small.
Three twinkling little lights trillions of miles away from Tennessee. The thought hit me:
The God of the universe who created those same three stars cares enough about me to move kings and kingdoms in order for me to have a written copy of the life story of a man named Job in my hand on Friday morning in the year 2020 just to read about how small I am and how big He is knowing that he can prove it to me that very night.
Wow.
Of all the attributes of God I admire most, His size is my favorite. How big is the God you serve?
Is He big enough to create the universe? Is he big enough to flood the Earth? Is he big enough to reign fire down from Heaven? Is he big enough to save Jonah from the whale? Is he big enough to part the sea? Is he big enough to heal the sick, restore sight to the blind, and raise the dead to life?
How big is the God you serve?
In 2020, is he big enough to save your marriage? Is he big enough to cure your cancer? Is he big enough to bring your lost son or daughter home? Is he big enough to overcome your addiction? Is he big enough to forgive your enemy? Is he big enough to feed the hungry, clothe the poor, and house the homeless?
Because if he's big enough to do all of the things he's already done, he's certainly big enough to do all of the things he's about to do this year and beyond.
Thank God we serve a God bigger than we could ever comprehend.
My challenge is to honestly ask yourself when the last time you stood still and soaked in awe of the size, glory, and wonder of the almighty God.
Thank God we serve a God bigger than we could ever comprehend.
If you're looking for a life-changing experience, there is nothing greater than to get away, disconnect, and bask in the sheer magnitude and might of the God of the universe. Take Job 38-39 as a starting point if you want to size him up. If it doesn't at least bring a tear to your eye and chills to your skin, give it another read. It's not far.
Believe that He is great enough to overcome the big problems yet loving enough to care about the small ones.
Abundantly,
HW