~ Day Thirty-Seven ~

As he concluded his speech, Elihu brought everything back to God. He reminded Job that it wasn't about him - it's all about God! To God alone we must give glory. For God is "awesome majesty"; He is "excellent in power." He is the God of transcendent power who conducts His creation, and the God of abundant mercy who does not willingly afflict His children. "For He does not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men" (Lamentations 3:33). Like the storm clouds that roll in and cover the world with darkness for a time, but are rolled back for the sun to shine, so too will the Lord not always be angry, but will cause His face to shine on His people. We need to trust that God has a purpose in all He does - a magnificient purpose that is for our good and His glory. "Be still and know that [He] is God" and give Him praise and glory! (Psalm 46:10)

Jesus displayed His majesty in the most beautiful act of condescending grace when He washed the disciples feet. His most powerful and profound act was still yet to come. First, they needed to be prepared: [Feast upon: John 13:1-17] "If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me" (v. 8b). As Jesus was concluding His earthly ministry, He gave a farewell message to His beloved group of twelve "intimates," which included a very special object lesson that surprised them and silenced their prideful, competitive hearts. "Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, rose from the supper and laid aside His garments, took and towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded" (John 13:3-5). This lesson in humility would not be one they soon forgot, but would cause them to acknowledge their selfishness and pride. Jesus provided testimony after testimony of His relationship to the Father, which the religious leaders refused to accept. His final acts of humility would prove just how real that relationship was. For out of a deep, abiding relationship with the heavenly Father is where true humility is born and blossoms. As He stooped down to wash their feet, Peter did not understand what Jesus was doing and tried to stop Him. Peter made the same mistake that Job did: he thought he knew better than God. He questioned the work of God and tried to instruct Him in the way he thought things ought to be done. "My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways," says the LORD" (Isaiah 55:8). Jesus patiently taught Peter the ways of His government, explaining how essential it was that He wash the filth from his feet, so that he could enjoy continued fellowship with Him. "If I do not wash you, you have not part with Me" (v. 8b). When we trust Jesus as our Savior we are cleansed fully by the blood of Christ and our sins are washed away and forgiven; but our spiritual feet get dirty walking around in this filthy world, and we need to continually wash them in the fountain of pure water that Jesus provides, so that we, like Peter, can continue to enjoy close fellowship with the Lord (1 John 1:5-10). God stoops down to minister to us in the most profound ways in order that we might be made more serviceable to others. All His creation works in perfect order, bringing glory to God and providing for all His creatures. He created us to be a blessing to others and to bring glory to the Father. Jesus demonstrated humble service to His disciples, and expected them to go and do the same. "For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you" (v. 15). Job would soon learn that his own humiliation would equip him to serve his friends and make him an even better conduit of God's riches to bless others and bring greater glory to God. We cannot have the rainbow without the rain showers. Let us learn the lessons the Lord is teaching us through our afflictions and humiliation, trusting Him to complete the work that He has begun in our lives, as He transforms us into a noble vessel that brings glory to His name. God knows what He is doing! Let us trust the Lord and commit to following His example as we praise the holy, mighty, and majestic name of Jesus Christ to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:5-11)! “To God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen” (Jude 25). "Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together" (Psalm 34:3).

Elihu's final speech continues with his anthem of praise to the all-powerful, majestic God who, by His word, brought all things into being, and continues to keep all things working by His powerful word. "Hear attentively the thunder of His voice, and the rumbling that comes from His mouth. He sends it forth under the heaven, His lightning to the ends of the earth. After it a voice roars; He thunders with His majestic voice, and He does not restrain them when His voice is heard. God thunders marvelously with His voice; He does great things which we cannot comprehend" (Job 37:2-5). Elihu provides a poetic, detailed description of the marvelous intricacies of God's works in the atmosphere to show that nothing that God does is by chance. He called Job’s attention to the magnificent works of God in the seasons of the year and His power He displays over the elements of the weather, and asked him to consider how willingly man submits to the extreme conditions of the weather, but how unwilling he is to submit and accept any adverse conditions in his circumstances; and yet the same God is in control of both “Teach us what we should say to Him, for we can prepare nothing because of the darkness. Should He be told that I wish to speak? If a man were to speak, surely he would be swallowed up” (Job 37:19, 20). As the storm clouds gathered and the lightning flashed, Elihu exhorted Job to look up and see the greatness of God and His awesome power in His mighty works. The omnipotent God does not deserve our judgment or complaints. He deserves our devotion, thanksgiving, and praise! Behold, look around you, God surrounds you! God is with you! God is not silent! He is mighty in wisdom and awesome in power! Nothing compares to Him, so bow down and give Him praise! You think you are so low in your pitiful condition, but you are not low enough with that prideful heart of yours! God sees it all! “Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, the power and the glory, the victory and the majesty; for all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and You are exalted as head over all” (2 Chronicles 29:11). It is often so easy in the midst of our pain and suffering to turn inward and forget how great and mighty our God is. Elihu wanted Job to see that God is bigger than his problems, and to know that the same God who is controlling every detail of the weather is controlling every detail of his life. How often do we discuss the weather, but never ascribe greatness to our God who has purposed it both for our refreshment and our reformation? He sends the mighty storms in judgment to clear the land of wickedness, and He sends the seasonal rains to water the fields to feed us and to quench our thirst. May we sit a little while longer on the ash heap of our ignorance, allowing the hand of Almighty God to rest upon us and humble us. Let us consider with wonder and awe how our great and powerful God has stooped down, and with great compassion and mercy has His hand (that same hand which orchestrates the skies!) in every intricate detail of our lives, working all things for our good. May our hearts flood with thanksgiving! “Stand still and consider the wondrous works of God” (v. 14b). Let us worship and bow down and give Him the glory that is due His mighty and majestic name! "He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen" (1 Timothy 6:15b, 16). "Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together" (Psalm 34:3).

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that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful" (James 5:10).

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