Do You Want the Answers?

Dearly beloved, not many folks have had a conversation with God like the one that Job had.

“Then the LORD answered Job out of the storm. He said: '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. Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone?” Job 38:1-6 NIV

God said, “I have some foundational questions for you, Job, and I want you to answer them for Me. These are basic, so I am sure that you must know how I did these things since you are so intelligent.”

“Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death?” Job 38:17

“Knowest thou it, because thou wast then born? or because the number of thy days is great?” Job 38:21

“Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him? Let him who accuses God answer him!” Job 40:2 NIV

Can you imagine being in Job’s sandals? I wonder what human ability could qualify us to answer questions about how God laid the earth’s foundation or determined its dimensions or answer our questions concerning death. Where will we get the answers to our questions? Beloved, He wrote them in a book for us.

People often speak about matters they know nothing about as though they were experts on the subject. They speculate about realities that God alone determined. E. W. Kenyon once said, “When man reaches the limits of his sense knowledge, he turns philosopher or guesser.”

God asked Job, “Who is this that darkens My counsel by words without knowledge.” Are we so daring that we are willing to trust in the guesses of a human being when it comes to eternal life?

The creation of the heavens and the earth, life, death, hope and judgment are matters under God’s jurisdiction, not man’s. God alone determined these realities and He alone can explain them to us.

If we are to understand spiritual matters, we will have to search the Word of God and allow it to reveal the answers to our questions. God’s Word will answer our questions. If we are to discover the truth concerning spiritual matters, we must learn from the mouth of God – from His Word. God has been gracious enough to enlighten us about all things that pertain to life and godliness by the revelation knowledge of His Word.

We should be so very thankful that God does not want us ignorant concerning spiritual realities that clearly lie beyond the boundary of our five senses.

Our Father is the High and Holy One that inhabits eternity, the only wise God, the One True and Living God. He revives the heart of the humble and reveals Himself to those of a contrite heart. There is none like Him, beloved.

“The LORD of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand:” Isaiah 14:24

“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them, which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others, which have no hope.” I Thessalonians 4:13

He does not want us ignorant about “them which are asleep”, meaning those who are dead. He does not want us to sorrow as those who have no hope of eternal life. If God does not want us ignorant, He must instruct us, which He does in the context that follows.

“For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord …. “ That which follows is “the word of the Lord” and it reveals the will of God to us concerning our hope and release from death; read it and you will find the answers.

His Word gives us clarity and certainty concerning spiritual matters. God’s Word instructs us of His Will; it reveals the truth about spiritual matters. If we remain ignorant after He has revealed them, it is certainly not His fault.

“Who [God] will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” He does not want us to be ignorant. He not only wants us to be saved, He wants us to come unto the knowledge of the truth, dearly beloved. He has shown us such great grace. Rejoice forevermore! Every word He has spoken will be fulfilled!

“Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:” Isaiah 46:9, 10