Wednesday August 17, 2016

Absolute But Incorruptible Power

-JOB 9:12-24

Key Verse:

"For he breaketh me with a tempest, and multiplieth my wounds without cause" (Job 9:17).

With unregenerate man, power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. But with a holy and righteous God, wielding an awesome and overwhelming power tempered with love, mercy, justice and wisdom, it is impossible for corrupting influences to come into play. In his suffering, Job acknowledges this greatness of the power of the Almighty to do anything. But unfortunately, he displays a limited and flawed understanding of this power. He believes God will destroy people wilfully. Such is this dim view that Job even believes that the righteous Judge would not spare the righteous on the day of His wrath. Man encounters challenges allowed by God or sent by Him to either chastise us for our wrongdoing or to grow and mature us for fruitful service in His Kingdom. Our contemplation of these trials must not be seen from the narrow prism of suffering. Would a woman in labour lament she is suffering? Job is right in ascribing absolute power to the Almighty. He is also right in stating that we cannot question God's wisdom when He decides to punish the wicked who refuses to repent on His conditions. But the Scripture does not support the position that God would multiply a person's "wounds (sufferings) without a cause". God challenges us to "reason together" with Him and plead our case so He can show us mercy. It is the great love and compassion flowing from His power that enabled Him listen to the intercessory pleas of Abraham, Moses, Samuel, Daniel and the Apostles of the early Church. It was that same love and mercy that finally led Him to send Jesus Christ His only begotten Son to break the wall of partition between man and his Creator. Trust Him and you will never be disappointed.

Thought for the day: God is mercy and love personified: repose your confidence in Him.

Bible Reading in one Year: JOB 26 - 30