7 February 2021

I NEED A GOD I CAN'T UNDERSTAND

Speaker: Fred Sigle

I NEED A GOD I CAN’T UNDERSTAND
Job 1:13-19, 38:2-3, 42:2-3
 
I must admit that there have been numerous occasions when I have questioned God and said, “I just don’t understand!”  The hard truth is, I don’t have to understand.  He is God, and I’m not!  All He asks me to do is trust Him. 
Job, a godly man, was a victim of Satan’s vicious attacks at the approval of God.   (Don’t ask me to explain the bargaining between God and Satan over Job, because I don’t fully understand.)   Job and his wife suffered terribly; they lost their children, their servants, and their livestock all in matters of minutes.  Job was then inflicted with infected oozing sores from the top of his head to the soles of his feet.
Job’s wife wanted to end it all, and his friends came to “console” him in his time of suffering.  For 36 chapters Job and his so-called friends debated as to why Job was suffering so, with Job having one opinion and his friends another.  Both Job and his friends thought they had God figured out when it came to human suffering, and both were wrong.  However, it was only Job who recognized his blatant arrogance and said to God, Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know” (Job 42:3b).
Job 1:13-19

13 One day when Job’s sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, 14 a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, 15 and the Sabeans attacked and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”

16 While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The fire of God fell from the heavens and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”

17 While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”

18 While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, “Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, 19 when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”

Job 38:2-3 (God to Job)

“Who is this that obscures my plans
    with words without knowledge?
Brace yourself like a man;
    I will question you,
    and you shall answer me.

Job 42:2-3 (Job to God)

“I know that you can do all things;
    no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’
    Surely I spoke of things I did not understand,
    things too wonderful for me to know.