Back in the 1980s, I was introduced to the music of Rich Mullins, a Contemporary Christian musician. I appreciated his contemplative, sometimes very conversational, lyrics pertaining to God and our relationship with him. One of his best-loved songs was “Our God is an Awesome God.” The message was simple – the God of Scripture was the Almighty Creator whose great wrath toward sin was only exceeded by his abounding grace. You may remember these words,
“And when the sky was starless In the void of the night
Our God is an awesome God
He spoke into the darkness
And created the light
Our God is an awesome God…”
In today’s passage of Scripture, we find the Almighty Creator finally addressing Job after the many conversations throughout the book. Here the discussions come to a climax as God himself addresses Job’s questions with a powerful dose of perspective. The Lord says, “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone— while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?” (Job 38:4-7).
Here the Lord replies to Job in a loving yet very firm manor. As I said, Job is about to have his entire perspective of life challenged and greatly enlarged! Job is given a glimpse of our truly awesome God, the Creator and sustainer of all life. The Lord answered out of the storm with this most humbling question, “where were you?” God himself lists his credentials for sovereignty by describing the incredible creation of our world and his intimate knowledge of all life on it. How staggering to realize that as incredibly miniscule we are by comparison and with all of this majesty and splendor, he knows and loves us individually.
“Lord, help me to recognize your vastness and take comfort in your powerful love. Amen”
Joe Pritchett
Extended Scripture: Job 38-39
