C.S. Lewis wrote, “The human spirit will not begin to try to surrender self-will as long as all seems to be well with it.”[1] When we are good, we’re good. We don’t need God. As one person said, “We regard God as an airman regards his parachute; it’s there for emergencies but he hopes he’ll never have to use it.”[2]

Job was a man who loved God and walked with him. Then, the bottom fell out of his life. After struggling to make sense of his pain and after counsel from his friends, God intervenes directly, and the Almighty doesn’t mince words.

Job 38:1-7
Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me. Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?”

It is often in our storms that we hear the voice of God most clearly. C. S. Lewis said it well: God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks to us in our conscience, but shouts in our pain. It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.[3] True, isn’t it? We hear God in the storms of loss, discouragement, failure, uncertainty, and disappointment. In our passage today, Job experiences God shouting through his megaphone.

Job has been through hell on earth. He lost all his material possessions, his ten children, and his health. Job’s wife told him to curse God and die (She could have profited from a marriage conference). And Job’s friends…well, let’s just say with friends like Job’s who needs enemies. In today’s passage, it is God’s turn to speak. I want God to come, wrap his arms around Job, and let him know everything is going to be alright. I want God to reach out with comfort and encouragement. Quite honestly, after all, Job has been through, God saying, “Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me,” sounds…I’ll say it…rather harsh. But remember, the anchor we hold onto during difficult times is God’s character. He is all-loving…even when he tells us to “dress for action.”

God is reminding Job why he can always be trusted. God is eternal—there was never a time when he was not; there will never be a time when he is not. Job’s days on earth show up as the tiniest of specks on an infinite timeline. God is independent—he depends on no person or thing for his existence. He didn’t need Job to hold one end of the tape measure when he marked off the dimensions of the earth. God is the creator—whatever exists is created by and sustained by his gracious hand. God knew well that the answer to Job’s questions was not the “Why?” but “Who?” When we understand that the “Who?” behind all our lives is God…that knowledge translates into trust.

Lord, our prayer today is this—Let our knowledge of who you are allow us to trust you every step of this journey we call life. In Christ’s name. Amen.

[1] C. S. Lewis, The Problem with Pain (HarperOne, 1996), 90.
[2] https://www.cslewisinstitute.org/resources/reflections-October-2021
[3] C. S. Lewis, The Problem with Pain (HarperOne, 1996), 91.