Read Job 40:1-5

The Patient Love of God

After losing everything and facing harsh and undue criticism from his friends, Job’s frustration is understandable. Doubt crept in, and though he never lost it, Job’s faith was strained. The inspired record shows his silence after Job 31 until Job 40. The young Elihu’s “wrath was aroused” against Job and against his friends (Job 32:2-5) and he criticizes them while proclaiming God’s justice, goodness, and majesty.

After Elihu finished his observations, “the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said: ‘Who is this who darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me’” (Job 38:1-2). Through a series of questions that attest to His divine power, God then asks, “Shall the one who contends with the Almighty correct Him? He who rebukes God, let him answer it” (Job 40:2).

Job understandably stepped down off his soapbox when he realized what he had done. He had questioned God’s integrity! Humility overtook the patriarch as he confessed, “Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer You? I lay my hand over my mouth. Once I have spoken, but I will not answer; yes, twice, but I will proceed no further” (Job 40:4-5).

He realized that he had overstepped. He realized the vastness of the Lord and his own relative unworthiness. And yet, despite being insignificant, God still loved Job.

The same is true today. We may suffer greatly and face struggles that no one around us understands. That does not give us the right to question God. Yet, even when we do allow doubts to creep in during moments of weakness, God still loves us. Jesus still died for us. We still have the ability led by the Spirit through His Word. As small as we are compared to God, He still cares. This is why Jesus pleaded, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon You and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).

What a patient, loving God we serve! May we always remember His great power and His great love!