Humility
Job 40:1-14
The book of Job is one of the most profound narratives in the whole of the Bible. It does NOT back away, or sugar coat, suffering... while at the very same time, it exalts faith and God’s absolute sovereignty. Job’s life was marked by unimaginable suffering (so much so that his wife encouraged him to curse God and die!)... and at times, just like everyone in the is room, Job questioned God while wrestling with his unfortunate and unwelcomed circumstances.
In our scripture lesson for today, God responds directly to Job, challenging Job to acknowledge the Lord’s un-equaled power, and the necessity of humility before such un-rivaled might.
As a parent... have you ever said to your children, “You best remember who you’re talking to!”? Well, that’s pretty much what’s taking place in our Lesson for today. God is saying to Job (as school teachers are quick to say to students), “You need to check yourself, before you wreck yourself!”
Right off the bat, God asks Job, “Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him?” (v. 2). This is a sobering question.
If you remember the story... Job had suffered much. After building a life to be envied... Job lost it all. His family, his home, his likelihood, his health - he lost everything. But in his suffering, his anguish, and misery... Job never lost faith! Job was able to say, “the Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away... may the name of the Lord be praised.” He would even say, “Though he (the Lord) slay me, yet will I hope in him.”
But he did begin to question God’s justice... some of “why me’s” settled in. He even accused God of denying him justice and making his life bitter (27:2)... and in our Lesson for today, we have part of God’s response.
This scripture clearly reminds us, that God’s authority is absolute. It reminds me of Romans 9:15, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” God is the Bringer of Justice and the Giver of Grace... He’s the Creator, Sustainer, and Ruler of all things.
Of course, like Job, we often question God when life becomes overwhelming, or, when life seems unfair. But our Lesson reminds us that God is beyond our understanding. “Do you have an arm like God’s, and can your voice thunder like His?”
To question God is one thing, as we talked about last Sunday (“My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”). To question as if we’re on an equal footing is quite another.
It reminds me of Isaiah 55:8 says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways.” There’s mystery in God’s ways, but His authority is unchallenged and unchanging.
Of course, when we face trials in this life, we’re called to remember that God is still God. He’s in control. Even when we don’t understand... or appreciate our circumstances... by faith we know that He is working all things together for good (Rom. 8:28). Trusting in God’s sovereignty helps us to endure suffering without losing faith.
Job’s response is a powerful display of humility in light of suffering. He says, “I am unworthy—how can I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth” (v. 4). Job had come to realize his limited understanding and wisdom, and he was in no position to contend with God. In the face of God’s sovereign majesty and power, Job could only be silent.
“Be still, and know that I am God.” the Psalmist says. (46:10).
At times in this life that’s all we can do. Sit silently before the Lord... trusting... resting in our faith... hoping (with expectant anticipation) that the God who delivered Israel time and again - the God who raised Christ from the dead... is still in the business of redemption... of restoration... of salvation.
To sit silently before the Lord is to assume the mantle of humility. Humility, being an essential posture in our relationship with God.
James 4:6-10: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble... Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” (He will lift you up!)
2 Chronicles 7:14: “...if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
Humility. Humility is the key.
You and I simply cannot serve God in Christ if we refuse to humble ourselves before Him. If we refuse to surrender (our pride, our will). Jesus even said very, very clearly in John 14:15, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” Obey my Word, in humility. Because without humble obedience before the Lordship of Christ, we cannot be His.
Think of Jesus: the same Jesus who gave up his place in Heaven, humbling himself to become human... The very same Jesus who humbled himself to wash the feet of his followers... the same Savior who “humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8). Humility. If Jesus humbled himself, what does that say about us?
You and I must humble ourselves before God. It’s not an option. Humility is a requirement for discipleship. Not just in some things - but in every thing - every single area of our lives.
Humility before the Lord means recognizing and acknowledging that we are finite beings who cannot fully grasp the vastness of God’s wisdom and plan. Job’s journey to humility is a reminder that, in times of suffering or confusion, you and I are called to acknowledge our smallness and trust in God’s greatness.
Humility leads us into a proper relationship with God. When we are humble, we stop trying to control every aspect of our lives and allow God to take His rightful place as Lord over all. Like Job, you and I should always say, “I am unworthy” as we surrender ourselves time and again to God’s perfect will.
Because... as we do... even in our moments of doubt or weakness, God extends grace, upon grace. He invites us, like He did Job, into a deeper relationship with Him, where we can experience His power and love. Where we can grow and mature to the point that we can say with confidence, like Job said in 13:15, “Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him!”
We may wrestle with our questions, doubts, and suffering. But in humility, may we always turn to our Lord... returning to a place of reverence before our God and Savior. Knowing that in His Sovereignty... He will deliver.
Amen.
Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your power and wisdom that surpass all understanding. Help us to be humble before You, trusting in Your authority over our lives. When we face trials, let us remember that You are sovereign and that Your grace is always with us. Teach us to walk in faith, even when we don’t fully understand Your ways. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
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