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Any Advice for God?


Recently I began using a new (to me) devotional book for my morning quiet time. In the first week of the readings I was challenged to read a passage in Job dealing with knowing and understanding who God is and the magnitude of His power. Beginning with Chapter 38,and continuing through to chapter 41,God explicitly questions concerning Job's knowledge of, and participation in God's creative power.God first draws Job's attention to the foundation of the earth. Then, the sea, the morning, the depths and death, and finally, light and darkness."Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge? Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me." Job 38:2-3Men speaking words without knowledge is nothing new. Mankind,it seems has always wanted to offer advice and to solve problems or situations a friend or loved one is experiencing. Often that advice and counsel is welcome by the victim. For others, however, the advice giver is ill qualified to counsel. Job's friends were engaged in offering him what they considered the cure for the catastrophic turn his life has taken. When God breaks into the conversation it appears that Job's friends may have been among the ill qualified counselors. "Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? Who marked off its dimensions? Who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone---while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?" Job 38:4-7In my feeble inadequate little mind I imagine God setting out to create the earth's foundation. My imagination is too limited to comprehend His work, especially when I know that He was working with nothing but emptiness and darkness.(Genesis 1:1). God, you know, has created creative people. And creative people continually seek to discover new and better ways to do many things. Throughout history creative creatures, created by God have brought civilization from primitive living into an age when every task is accomplished quicker and easier. But even this progression was not achieved by man alone. God provided the knowledge and the abilities to bring about the easier life we now enjoy.God's point to Job and his friends is this...were you there when I planned the creation of the earth and everything in it? What part did you play in My creation? Show Me your contribution. When we can convince God that we were there participating in the planning and the execution of the creation of the earth and everything in it, then we can, with confidence, question God's actions and offer our "expert" advice. Frankly, I am less than bold enough to do either.

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