Greetings, friends,
Today, let’s take some time to examine the observations we find in Job’s conclusions from all that God allowed him to experience:
“I know that You can do all things,
Job 42:2
And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.”
In keeping with the story of Job, we know that he had to go through very unique but stressful circumstances. At the beginning of the story, we are told of his uprightness:
“There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job; and that man was blameless, upright, fearing God, and turning away from evil.”
Job 1:1
But despite this, he had to endure a very hard time in his life. In the story, he loses all his children, his wealth, and his livelihood (Job 1:16-19).
Furthermore, God the Holy Spirit inspires the author to let us in on what was going on in the background. The scripture is clear about who is in charge. God Himself takes responsibility for Job’s suffering. It is only by God’s ordination that Satan was able to reach out to Job to cause him harm:
“Then Yahweh said to Satan, ‘Behold, all that he has is in your hand, only do not send forth your hand toward him.’ So Satan went out from the presence of Yahweh.”
Job 1:12
In light of this background, let’s look at the conclusions that Job comes to after going through a 42-chapter-long discourse with God, his friends, and even his wife, to unravel why what happened to him happened.
1. God is Sovereign
Job says, “I know You can do all things.” This phrase speaks not only to God’s power but also to His ability to do all things. Job understands that God alone is sovereign above all things. Paul eloquently presented this when writing to the Colossians:
“For in Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.”
Colossians 1:16
Job understands now that because God is sovereign, all creation falls under subjection to Him:
“Yahweh has established His throne in the heavens,
Psalm 103:19
And His kingdom rules over all.”
Job comes to the understanding that everything that happened to him was allowed by God. Because creation is subject to God, God has every right to do with His creation as He wills. The scripture shows that it was by Satan’s hand that calamities befell Job. However, it also shows that God’s hand was superintending Satan’s actions.
In other words, Satan could not do anything that God did not allow. Even as a created being, Satan is under subjection to God:
“The One forming light and creating darkness,
Isaiah 45:7
Producing peace and creating calamity;
I am Yahweh who does all these.”
This should bring great comfort to us as believers. It helps us understand that every single thing that happens in this world is under the supervision of the Lord who loves us. No other power can go beyond or outside what God has already planned and ordained.
In light of this, these words of Paul to the Romans should carry greater meaning to us:
“And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.”
Romans 8:28
This means that God will use every single situation, despite how it appears—whether good or bad—to bring about His good purpose.
2. God Has a Plan
Another thing that Job realizes is that God has a plan. Job says, “No plan of Yours can be thwarted.” In other words, nothing surprises God. R.C. Sproul famously said, “There is no rogue atom in the universe.”
Job eventually comes to realize that everything he went through was within God’s purview and sphere of influence. More importantly, God had a plan for everything that was happening. As previously stated in Romans, God was working all of it for the good.
This means there will be things in life that we will not fully understand or comprehend. As finite human beings, we have a specific view of what we consider to be good and bad. This sets up our expectations in life. When we experience things we perceive as bad, we automatically lose hope.
However, what Job came to learn is that God has a plan for every single thing that happens in the universe. This is built upon the idea that He is sovereign above all creation, as previously discussed.
Therefore, as believers, when we go through different seasons in life, it is important to remember that we serve a God who is not only sovereign but also has a grand plan and knows the end from the beginning:
“Remember the former things long past,
Isaiah 46:9-10
For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is no one like Me,
Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things which have not been done,
Saying, ‘My counsel will be established,
And I will accomplish all My good pleasure.’”
3. God’s Plan is Everlasting
Finally, we can look at Job’s understanding that God’s plans cannot be thwarted. Here, the word “thwarted” carries the meaning “to gather, restrain, fence, fortify, make inaccessible, enclose.”
Job is saying nothing can restrain the plans and purposes of God. What God has planned to come to pass will indeed come to pass:
“So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth;
Isaiah 55:11
It will not return to Me empty,
Without accomplishing what pleases Me,
And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.”
Let’s quickly review this summary of Job’s view:
- God can do all things: God is sovereign above all creation. He can do whatever He wishes for His own pleasure.
- God has a plan: Nothing happens without God’s knowledge. “He works all things together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).
- God’s plans are everlasting: He will bring to pass everything that He wills, and no one can restrain His plans.
I pray this word reminds you of the kind of God we are serving.
Be blessed,
Paul.
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