Job 38:36 “Who endowed the heart with wisdom
or gave understanding to the mind?”

From chapter 38 we have God answering Job, and all the way through the end of chapter 39 it is a succession of rhetorical questions to point out the differences between God and human beings. In other words, God is saying, very gently, “I’m omnipotent and omniscient, and you’re not.” This particular section is about God’s provision of what His creatures need, and this particular verse deals with the very things we are most likely to think are our own, and be proud about them. God is gently pointing out that apart from His gracious provision, we wouldn’t even be self-aware, much less able to investigate the world around us logically and scientifically. That makes it all the more ironic that so many people think that their “science” disproves God! More and more genuinely wise people are realizing that the degree of complexity of the universe absolutely demands a guiding intellect/will, that is, a Creator, because chance couldn’t possibly account for the universe as it is. We don’t like to admit that, because if there is a Creator, His creation is logically accountable to Him, and we don’t want to be accountable to anyone. That is so sad! God’s plans for us, His Creation, are for good and not evil, (Jeremiah 29:11) so submitting to Him in humility, gratitude, and love is the only logical course.

I see so many people rebelling against accountability to God, and it never does them any good. It’s easy for me to recognize because I’ve done it myself! I am not to look down on them or talk down to them, but lift them up by speaking the truth to them in love. I am to remember at all times that everything I have comes from God and so take no personal pride in it, but rather be a good steward of however much wisdom and understanding He allows me to have. In this church we are involved in a far bigger project than we have ever considered before, and the things we don’t know far outnumber the things we do. I am not to pretend knowledge when I’m ignorant, but rather seek God for the sources of the information we need. I am not to try to do things myself when God has someone else in mind for that particular job. I am to remember, at all times and on every level, that nothing is impossible for God, (Luke 1:37, Matthew 17:20)) but I can do nothing apart from Him. (John 15:5)

Father, thank You for this very timely reminder. Help me not just give this intellectual assent, but rather walk it out moment by moment, bringing others along with me, so that together we may be and do all that You desire, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!