I Don’t Want to Around When God Calls the Roll!
One thing that astounds me particularly in this election season is the power that we have given to a man. One man has done this and that and it caused many to die. Other men have so much wisdom that they could prevent death. One man is destroying not only our country but the world; but another man could make everything right with mankind. Now this is no endorsement for one man or another, just an observation. Our generation is not the only generation that has witnessed this kind of banter. There were four men who sat with a man named Job who determined that his present condition was the result of his sin, which he vehemently denied. As they went back and forth trying to get Job to repent, Job stood flat-footed in his stance that it was God who had unjustly victimized him. Finally, it came to a showdown, for God spoke:
Then the Lord said to Job,
2 "Do you still want to argue with the Almighty?
You are God’s critic, but do you have the answers?" Job 40:1-2 (KJV)
When the deal went down and God decided to join the conversation, God challenged Job to a verbal duel:
Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind:
7 "Brace yourself like a man,
because I have some questions for you,
and you must answer them.
8 "Will you discredit my justice
and condemn me just to prove you are right?
9 Are you as strong as God?
Can you thunder with a voice like his?
10 All right, put on your glory and splendor,
your honor and majesty.
11 Give vent to your anger.
Let it overflow against the proud.
12 Humiliate the proud with a glance;
walk on the wicked where they stand.
13 Bury them in the dust.
Imprison them in the world of the dead.
14 Then even I would praise you,
for your own strength would save you. Job 40:8-14 (KJV)
We learn from the book of Job that God will allow our foolish dialogue about the affairs of man only so long. He will give us plenty of room to decide what Is what and who is who. He will give us enough rope to hang ourselves. The above passage was just the beginning of what God said, but before he even got started, Job had this to say:
Then Job replied to the Lord,
4 "I am nothing—how could I ever find the answers?
I will cover my mouth with my hand.
5 I have said too much already.
I have nothing more to say."Job 40:4-3 (KJV)
It must have something about God’s voice, or maybe it was the whirlwind; whatever it was it didn’t take Job long to back down and become silent.
If only we could look at the things that are happening today, covid-19, vicious tornadoes and fires out of control. If only we could see how ideological wars have resulted in burning buildings and innocent lives shot down cold-blooded in the street. If only we could see that the divisiveness in our nation makes us prey to a stronger nation to come and put us all in captivity. If only we could observe the seasons and fall down on our faces before a holy God and say as Job said, "I am nothing – how could I ever find the answers?"
Maria