by Charles R. Swindoll
Scriptures: Job 42:1–6
Then Job answered Jehovah, and said,
2I know that thou canst do all things,
And that no purpose of thine can be restrained.
3Who is this that hideth counsel without knowledge?
Therefore have I uttered that which I understood not,
Things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.
4Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak;
I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.
5I had heard of thee by the hearing of the ear;
But now mine eye seeth thee:
6Wherefore I abhor myself,
And repent in dust and ashes.
“I’ve come to the end of my understanding, and I leave it at that. My very existence is Yours, O God. It’s Yours to unravel the mystery, to track the labyrinthine ways, to handle the profound, to know the reasons behind the inexplicable events of my life.” In full surrender Job backs off and bows down.
This is Job’s way of acknowledging his inability to understand why, with no further argument, harboring no bitterness. There is no thought of How dare you do this to me? What do we see in Job instead? A broken and contrite spirit. Do you know what Job finally realized? It’s all about God, not me. Job got it! And what does that mean?
God’s purpose is unfolding, and I cannot hinder it.
God’s plan is incredible, and I will not comprehend it.
God’s reproof is reliable, and I dare not ignore it.
God’s way is best, and I must not resist it.
Have you learned those things yet? Have you come to realize that your business is about your God? Your family is about your God. Everything you claim to possess, He owns. Every privilege you enjoy is granted by His grace. None of it is deserved. Job got all that. The question is, have you? Tragically, many don’t get it until faced with impossible moments. God has ways of leveling His own.
How satisfying a submissive life can be. The blend is beautiful: a strong-hearted person, surrendered and humbled with a “broken and contrite spirit”—entertaining no grudges, making no demands, having no expectations, offering no conditions, anticipating no favors, fully repentant before the Lord God. And the marvelous result? The Lord begins to use us in amazing ways. Why? Because the world doesn’t see that unique combination very often.
Job finally sees God for who He really is, and he fully repents. The result is one blessing after another. In fact, double blessing upon double blessing comes his way. Once God placed His mighty hands on the man’s shoulders, Job finally got it. Have you?
A strong-hearted person who is humble is a rare combination that God greatly uses.
— Charles R. Swindoll