From Today’s Devotional in Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

September 1
When God Asks the Questions

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 97:1-6 | Job 40:1 – 42:27 | 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 | Proverbs 22:14

Today’s Scripture Focus: Job 40-42

Job has asked his questions. He has finally said all that he could think of to say. Now he is waiting for the answers. Then something surprising happens. God shows up not to answer the questions, but to ask His own.

The questions that God asks are real “doozies”: Questions that only he can answer. Questions like: “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundations?” “Who marked off its dimensions?” “Who stretched a measuring line across it?” God continues his questions for several chapters. Each is a question that no man could ever answer.

God answers Job’s questions not with answers, but with even more difficult questions.

I think God is telling Job (and us): Remember who I am. I know the answers to your questions and thousands much more difficult. Life does not always make sense. It is not always fair. But I am the creator, the sustainer, the sovereign Lord over all things. I have it all under control. Trust me.

The answer to God’s questions is not found in words, but in falling on our faces in humility, repentance and worship before the awesome creator of all things. The questions call for a response: surrendering all that we are to Him; becoming a living sacrifice.

In the end, God rewards Job for his perseverance through the trials. He always does. Sometimes he does so down here, sometimes in eternity. But he is always faithful to reward us for persevering through life’s trials.

“As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about, The Lord is full of compassion and mercy” (James 5:1).

“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12).

He may not answer our questions. Even if he does, the answers (or questions) might not be to our liking. But he will be with us, and he is faithful to reward those who hold on tight to him through the trials—to those who persevere.