You ask, ‘Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?’
It is I.
And I was talking about things I did not understand,
things far too wonderful for me.
Job 42:3 NLT
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I have only been to a casino twice in my life. Both times I walked in with $5.00 and out with $0.00.  I really enjoyed the people-watching. though! The thing that really stuck with me, even more than the $5.00 loss AND the people watching, was the curious experience that occurred once I stepped outside of the casino. I walked out the front exit and, as soon as the door closed behind me, I heard the most beautiful sound in the entire world: silence. I don’t know if I had any kind of appreciation for it before that moment. The bells, chimes and ringing sounds of the casino all stopped and I remember feeling like I was seeing the beautiful trees, ground and sun for the first time!

This memory is very similar to my experience with the book of Job.

In the first two chapters, we are given a glimpse behind a divine curtain to witness a conversation between God and Satan. Then, for 34 chapters, we hear only human voices dissecting, mourning, arguing and grieving together. This overwhelming amount of human conversation attempting to interpret God made me feel frustrated, indifferent, and distant from God. Bells, chimes and ringing.

Then, just when I was not sure I could continue on, God’s voice returned. I couldn’t even believe the relief I felt! God spoke for all but two verses of four whole chapters, setting Job straight. It was a much more intense tongue-lashing than anything I have experienced yet – oddly enough – the longer it went on, the more I felt joy bubbling up inside me. God asks Job about all the things that only the Creator of the universe knows the answers to. With each word, I felt his love for us more and more. It was the most safe and loved I may have ever felt. It was like I was seeing love for the first time.

• “Where does the light come from, and where does the darkness go? Can you take it to its home? Do you know how to get there? But of course you know all this! For you were born before it was all created, and you are so very experienced!” (Job 38:19-21 NLT)
• “Have you given the horse its strength or clothed its neck with a flowing mane? Did you give it the ability to leap forward like a locust? Its majestic snorting is something to hear! It paws the earth and rejoices in its strength. When it charges to war, it is unafraid. It does not run from the sword.” (Job 39:19-22 NLT)
• “Take a look at behemoth. I made it, just as I made you. It eats grass like an ox. See its powerful loins and the muscles of its belly. Its tail is as straight as a cedar. The sinews of its thighs are tightly knit together. Its bones are tubes of bronze. Its limbs are bars of iron. It is a prime example of God’s amazing handiwork. Only its Creator can threaten it.” (Job 40:15-19 NLT)
• “And since no one dares to disturb the leviathan, who would dare to stand up to me? Who will confront me and remain safe? Everything under heaven is mine.” (Job 41:10-11 NLT)

We are THAT God’s handiwork. We are THAT God’s children. We are cared for by THAT God. The “why’s” that seemed to matter so much quickly fade away. I admit, alongside Job, that I am talking about things I don’t understand, things far too wonderful for me.

___

Dear Lord, You are powerful beyond my ability to comprehend. You are the Creator, Savior and Redeemer of all that was, is and will be. I will stop asking why and instead spend my breath thanking you for loving me. Thank you for choosing me. Amen.

photo credit: Michelle Pink