We can speculate all we want as to why God created Satan, allowed man the choice to sin, or created a perfect world with the foreknowledge that He would only have to send His Son to die in order to redeem it. Sure, it is possible to use logical reasoning and Biblical evidence to come up with answers to these and other perplexing questions, but it doesn't mean our conclusions are necessarily right. There are just some mysteries that belong to God.
If I thought I understood everything, it leaves no room for the greatness of God. Instead of getting frustrated about the great why's of life we can rest in peace that God has the correct answer for every unknown question.
I've been considering writing a few posts about the book of Job lately, it's been mentioned in my accountability group, I read it recently, and I just heard a sermon last night about it. It's been on my mind, because as depressing as reading it can be, Job's story is really one of the most encouraging one's in the Bible.
Ultimately Job, asked a question that God refused to answer, however God did assure Job that He knew the answer. Throughout the entire book of moaning and trying to make sense of his desperate situation, Job was finally able to have peace in the knowledge that God knew the answer to the questions that he did not. It is then that Job speaks these words of hope in chapter 42:
" 1Then Job answered the LORD, and said,
2I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.
3Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.
4Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.
5I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.
6Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes."
If a man who had just lost all of his children, all of his wealth and his health as well, can find peace in the mysteries of God, then I certainly can as well. Tuesday I'll share my reasons why I believe Job was a real person and not just an allegory or a parable.
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I love that...we must always leave room for the greatness of God!
ReplyDeleteI agree, the book of Job is amazing! I recently finally read the whole thing. My son took an interest in Job when he was 4 and wanted to hear the beginning and end of the story many times, but then just recently, around his 6th birthday, he became determined to hear the WHOLE thing. It took us many sessions of reading aloud a few chapters at a time. What a great story! It's amazing how, as Job argues with his friends, we relate to both sides; we've all thought things like what his friends say. In the end, he provides such an awesome example of humility and acceptance.
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