Today is October 14.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”

Today’s reading is from the book of Job, chapter 26.


Then Job replied…: 7 He spreads out the northern skies over empty space; he suspends the earth over nothing. 8 He wraps up the waters in his clouds, yet the clouds do not burst under their weight. 9 He covers the face of the full moon, spreading his clouds over it. 10 He marks out the horizon on the face of the waters for a boundary between light and darkness. 11 The pillars of the heavens quake, aghast at his rebuke. 12 By his power he churned up the sea; by his wisdom he cut Rahab to pieces. 13 By his breath the skies became fair; his hand pierced the gliding serpent. 14 And these are but the outer fringe of his works; how faint the whisper we hear of him! Who then can understand the thunder of his power?


Job is meditating on the transcendence God through the vastness and power of the natural world. Can you recall the times when you gazed out into the immense beauty of a sunset, or looked upon the magnificent face of mountains, or surveyed the endless sea of stars in the sky? Have you looked out into the ocean in a terrifying storm to be reminded of our utter small-ness? Call to mind the last time you sensed or were interrupted by God’s presence through the natural world.

Job has experienced immense pain and utter loss. In the midst of his suffering, he stops to consider the vastness of the universe and endless stories of the past in a way that seems to create perspective… but he does not shrink from the reality of His suffering. Instead, he allows himself to experience his real suffering alongside the truth that there is so much he cannot understand about the character and power and way of God. Job allows two things to exist at the same time: the unimaginable power of God, and his own unimaginable suffering. This is a hard thing for me to hold… as you listen again, allow yourself to respond honestly and freely to God…

My friend, there are things of God that are so difficult for us to hold, and impossible for us to understand. Scripture tells us that God pursues us with ‘hesed’ – his loving kindness that endures forever… and also that in this world we will have trouble. We know we are to set our eyes to eternity, and to the fulfillment of God’s perfect kingdom come. And yet: There is so much we do not understand. Do you know you can bring that disorientation to God? He is our maker, and we are the made. Talk to the Lord as we end about whatever feelings have come up for you.

Music: They Are Yours - Vineyard Worship (YouTube)