Day 39 – Chapter 41

“No one is so fierce that he dares to arouse him; who then is he that can stand before Me? Who has given to Me that I should repay him? Whatever is under the whole heaven is Mine” (41:10-11).

In this chapter God continues to speak to Job directly about His power manifested in creation. He specifically mentions in the very first verse “Leviathan.” We are left wondering to what He is referring. Some scholars have suggested that this is really a reference to a crocodile with references to its many sharp teeth (v. 14) and fast swimming (v. 32). There are others, however, that think that perhaps He is referencing something else entirely, perhaps some type of dragon-like creature. The bottom line is that we are not certain about the reference, and that is fine because God is doing more than giving a reference to a specific creature. In verses 10-11, “God spoke of himself in the first person as if to remind Job what this long description was about: to demonstrate that he rather than Job was master of the animals. As a mortal who could be killed by a crocodile, Job’s only choice was to trust and obey Yahweh.” ^[1]

God is not only the master of the animal world; He is master of everything. Our tendency is to think that we know better than God. Now I know we don’t really want to admit that such is the case, but our actions, the manner in which we interact with and engage God betrays us. I cannot tell you the number of times I have had running debates with God about certain situations and circumstances in which I found myself. Even after I have come through some storms and strife I have often told God that my way would have been far better. Of course, I am wrong, but our humanity that is very limited does not often allow us to always trust Him in the manner we should.

Here is what we should remember today; God knows us better than we could every know ourselves. His knowledge of us is so intimate that He even knows the number of hairs on the top of our heads (Luke 12:7). God’s long description of His power over creation had one strong lesson and that is that He is the One that is in control, and because He is in control we should learn to trust Him. How much do you trust God today? Before you say that you trust Him with every fiber of your being, ask yourself if you are being totally honest with yourself. If you are like me the truth of the matter is that there are things in our life that we are slow releasing to His control. Maybe He does not move fast enough for us and so we take matters into our own hands. Our challenge today, just like Job’s was, is to learn to trust God more.

Lord Jesus, I want to trust You more. I admit how hard it is to trust You with everything, so I need your help letting go. By faith I release everything I have been stubbornly holding onto, my past, my future, my life, my family, my ministry, and especially my relationships. I trust you today to do in me just as You have sovereignly determined, in Jesus’ matchless name. Amen.

^[1] Robert L. Alden, vol. 11, Job (The New American Commentary Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1993), 400.