Rough turbulence

This week in Old Testament studies, our discussion included the book of Job. Here is my discussion entry:

I always try to picture Job and his buds sitting around a campfire late at night having their discussion, for some reason. Must be because when my boys were young we would sit around a campfire and "solve the worlds problems". I'd like to focus on the divine comments toward the end of the book of Job. It is in that part of the book, that we come face to face with the Creator of the universe. All the squabbling back and forth is hushed by the extended answer of the omnipotent Almighty. The one who answered Moses I AM that I AM, makes it painfully obvious as He sets in to question Job about his ability to comprehend knowledge of celestial and terrestrial proportions. Amusingly, in Chapter 40, Job places his hand over his mouth as if to say once I have spoken, but I wont proceed any farther. Then I AM proceeds to continue to illustrate His magnificence with examples of His splendor. Throughout all of this, I find a warming reassurance that El Shaddai has been, and always will be in control of this universe. Whatever we may go through, there should never be a reason to ever doubt that.

This reminds me of the story of the little boy playing with a toy airplane in his seat in the back of an airliner, while it is going through some rough turbulence. The nervous lady sitting next to the little boy was annoyed because the little boy was not scared and finally said to the little boy, “stop playing with that airplane, what’s the matter with you; aren’t you scared?!” The little boy just smiled and politely answered, “no ma’am, I’m not scared, you see, that’s my daddy up there flying the airplane”.

God’s answer to Job might seem a bit thorough and to a degree, perhaps harsh, but Job had no doubt at the end of the answer, who was responsible for all things, including his own existence, and who was in control. There is comfort in that fact especially in times of “rough turbulence”.

Blessings!
Your brother in Christ,
George