Relevant Text: Is. 14:13-14 (underlined)

Desire | All of us want to be like God. After all, we were made in His image [1] and His Word exhorts us to conform to Christ [2]. In the garden, however, our sinful desire for His authority moved into the very center of our fallen nature. It started when our ancestors ate the fruit [3] and continued when Babylon boasted, I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God. I will set my throne on high … I will make myself like the Most High[4]. Yet, why is this wrong? Can God run our lives any better than we can?

Knowledge | We lack knowledge; He is omniscient. Thus, as Job issues his indictment, God interrupts: “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?” [5]. He reminds Job that He alone – without any help – formed the earth, created the seas, summoned the dawn, and sculpted the depths [6]. He alone knows where to find light and darkness, storehouses of snow, and stars in heaven [7].

Power | We lack power; He is omnipotent. Not only does God know all things throughout all time, He also has power to accomplish His purposes [8]. Thus, He reminds Job that He alone – without any help – satisfies the hungry animals, brings life to their young, frees the wild beasts, and gives flight to the birds [9].

Love | We lack love; He is omnibenevolent. God is not better equipped to be in charge just because He knows everything and can do everything; He also is good and right and just. He is not capricious, arbitrary or irrational. His power has purpose and its purpose is consistent with His excellence. He works for the good of those who love Him [10]. He does not have ulterior motives.

Prayer | Lord, We often indict you for not working in our lives as we would. Yet, we confess with Job: “I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know” [11]. We are surrounded by mysteries and do not know the first thing about the ten million things you do in every moment. Thus, we joyfully hand our doubt and confusion over to you – for you know all things, have the power to accomplish all things, and choose to do all things for our good. Therefore, make us humble people, as we seek to be like you in love and service and unlike you in authority and might. Amen.

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Footnotes

[1] See Gen. 1:26-27.  |  [2] We are called to be light Christ in our righteousness and holiness (see 1 Pt. 1:14-16; 1 Jn. 3:7; Jn. 15:10-14; 1 Cor. 1:30; Eph. 1:4; Eph. 5:27), in our freedom from this world (see Jn. 17:14-16; Rom. 12:1; Jm. 4:4; 1 Jn. 2:15), in denying ourselves (see Rom. 6:1-23; Gal. 2:20; Lk. 9:23-27); in our walking in newness of life (see Gal. 5:16-26; Eph. 4:14-22), in our enduring persecution (see Matt. 10:25; Jn. 15:18-20; Mk. 10:29-30), in our actions (see Jm. 2:14-26); in our fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23; Jn. 13:34; Jn. 15:11-13), in our being set apart for God’s work (see Jn. 10:36; Jn. 17:17-19; Jn. 20:21), in our walking in the light (see 1 Jn. 1:7), in our unity with the Lord (see Jn. 17:11; Jn. 17:21-23), in our suffering for others (see 1 Pt. 2:21-23; 1 Pt. 3:18-4:1; Phil. 3:10), in our life and conduct (see 1 Jn. 2:6; 1 Jn. 4:17), in our enduring temptations (see Heb. 2:18; Heb. 4:14-16; Jm. 1:2; Jm. 1:12), in our manifesting the fullness of God (see Jn. 3:34; Jn. 7:37-38; Jn. 14:12; Eph. 3:19).  |  [3] See Gen. 3:5 (noting that the words of the successful temptation by the serpent included: “ … when you eat of [the fruit] your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil”).  |  [4] Is. 14:13-14 ESV  |  [5] Job 38:2 ESV  |  [6] See Job 38:1-18.  |  [7] See Job 38:19-33.  |  [8] See, e.g., Is. 46:9-10.  |  [9] See Job 38:39-39:18.  |  [10] See Rom. 8:28. See also Ps. 84:11.  |  [11] Job 42:3 ESV

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