God leads Job into a deeper revelation and a greater understanding of what the Amplified Bible calls the awe-filled reverence and profound respect for God. This is about the fear of the Lord.
Job 38:4 Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. ESV
Job 38:12 Have you commanded the morning since your days began and caused the dawn to know its place. ESV
Job 38:18 Have you comprehended the vast expanses of the earth? Tell me, if you know all this. NIV
Job 40:14 “[If you can do all this, Job, proving your divine power] then I [God] will also praise you and acknowledge That your own right hand can save you. AMP
God responds by describing two mighty creatures: Behemoth (Job 40:15–24) and Leviathan (Job 41). “Leviathan” is referenced in Psalms and Isaiah as a picture of chaos that only God can subdue— a reminder that even when our world feels out of control, God still reigns. God is saying, “If you can’t handle ferocious beasts of the earth and sea, how can you handle what only I can understand?”
When you start to understand just how big God is you begin to realize that you don’t have to understand everything to trust Him.
Earlier in Job 38 God points to the planets and stars illustrating how big, powerful and in control God truly is. The progression of how big we may feel in this life is humbled when we consider how huge the earth is. Then consider how tiny the earth is compared to the sun and how tiny the sun is compared to massive planets all throughout the universe!
When we begin to understand the magnitude of the universe — countless galaxies spinning through an expanse so vast it simply cannot be measured, the only appropriate response is the fear of the Lord. This awe filled reverence and profound respect.
It takes more faith to be an atheist than to believe in God.
No matter how mad you are at God, God is always right.
Job humbles himself and repents for his emotional reactions. (Job 42:6). In humility Job prays for his friends (Job 42:9). Nothing about his situation changed. The fear of the Lord unlocked humility and the Bible makes a clear connection to this and Job’s breakthrough:
Job 42:10 And the LORD restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends. And the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before. ESV
The willingness remain humble, surrendered and worshipful even when you’re wounded is so very important.
The Bible gives us the keys to mental health, emotional health and spiritual health:
Mental Health: “In everything give thanks.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Learning to give thanks in all things unlocks mental health. Scientifically we understand that gratitude and anxiety cannot exist in the brain at the same time.
Emotional Health: “Rejoice always.” (Philippians 4:4) Learning to rejoice always unlocks greater emotional health. Rejoicing always recalibrates your emotions toward life and peace. Forced joy is better than genuine depression any day of the week!
Spiritual Health: “Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) Learning to pray without ceasing unlocks spiritual health. Luke 18:1 says men ought always to pray and not to faint. If you’re praying you’re not fainting. If you’re fainting you’re not praying.
Think about what you think about because what you think about matters. This is what we will begin to focus on in this next season of pursuing God together as a church family.
GP2RL: Purpose to be very intentional this week as you give thanks, rejoice always and pray without ceasing.
