Everyday we have challenges and distractions that may throw us off balance. How we respond is critical. My life is likely not that much different than yours. I have endured hardships, suffered losses, but have had a lot of great things happen, too! But what keeps me stable through adversity is a simple truth. Let’s dive into the book of Job and remember this truth together.

Many know this story. In the first chapter of Job, he is described as a great and wealthy man who “feared God and turned away from evil.” Job soon was tested by Satan and lost nearly everything, including all of his many children. In the second chapter, Satan attacked Job’s health, and not lightly. By the end of the book, Job has his health restored, along with more wealth and children than he started with. In all of this, Job was faithful to God. We could stop there and have plenty to talk about, but what happens in between his loss and redemption is equally meaningful.

Of the 42 chapters in this book, the first two describe the situation, including how Job was tested. The last five chapters describe how God ultimately responded and redeemed Job. So what happens in those other 35 chapters? Job’s friends showed up! There was a lot of complaining, arguing, and rebuking happening in those pages. This represents over 80% of the entire book! The Bible included this record of what happened for good reason. I can relate to it because it just sounds too familiar. Challenges happen, then there is a lot of talk before any real resolution happens. That talk was mostly noise to Job. The challenge is to separate noise from truth.

So, as Job and his friends discuss the situation at length, I believe that God was waiting for Job to quit talking and get ready to listen. I think of that moment a lot since there are a lot of times that I need to stop talking and start listening! As chapter 38 begins, God responded to all the talk with one of my favorite lines in scripture in verse 4:

“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding.”

Whoa! I’m guessing that Job quickly looked down and was humbled.

Can you see yourself in this position? Every time I think of this verse, I just laugh at myself. I envision God smacking me in the back of the head just before he puts his arm around my shoulder, pulling me closer. It is an attention-getter for us to wake up and remember who is who. He is the Almighty Creator, the Giver of life, the Redeemer, the Healer, the One that sent his only son to die for our sins so that we may be forgiven. We are…none of those! This verse also reminds me of every promise that God has given us, because He is the great I AM!

The biblical truth here is that God is who he says that he is and that he is faithful, regardless of our personal, and often temporary, circumstances. He is in charge and we are not, thankfully. A truth that large requires a response. Being grateful, staying calm, trusting God…those sound like good responses. Let’s remember that perspective as we get thrown those curveballs everyday.