Greatness of God and the Smallness of Man

There is a tendency with our hearts to think more highly of ourselves than we ought. I was reminded of the greatness of God and the smallness of Matt this morning as I read Job 38-42. Job's initial reaction to his suffering was righteous:

Job 1:20-22 (NASB95)20 Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and worshiped. 21 He said, "Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked I shall return there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord." 22 Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God.

But as time went on and Job's friends kept accusing him of evil, he crossed the line and began to accused God of evil. Job is finally confront by God in chapters 38-41. Here are some choice selections:

Job 38:1-7 (NASB95)1 Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said, 2 "Who is this that darkens counsel By words without knowledge? 3 "Now gird up your loins like a man, And I will ask you, and you instruct Me! 4 "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding, 5 Who set its measurements? Since you know. Or who stretched the line on it? 6 "On what were its bases sunk? Or who laid its cornerstone, 7 When the morning stars sang together And all the sons of God shouted for joy?

Job 39:1-4 (NASB95)1 "Do you know the time the mountain goats give birth? Do you observe the calving of the deer? 2 "Can you count the months they fulfill, Or do you know the time they give birth? 3 "They kneel down, they bring forth their young, They get rid of their labor pains. 4 "Their offspring become strong, they grow up in the open field; They leave and do not return to them.

And now Job's response:

Job 40:1-5 (NASB95)1 Then the Lord said to Job, 2 "Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty? Let him who reproves God answer it." 3 Then Job answered the Lord and said, 4 "Behold, I am insignificant; what can I reply to You? I lay my hand on my mouth. 5 "Once I have spoken, and I will not answer; Even twice, and I will add nothing more."

Job 42:1-6 (NASB95)1 Then Job answered the Lord and said, 2 "I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted. 3 ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ "Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know." 4 ‘Hear, now, and I will speak; I will ask You, and You instruct me.’ 5 "I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear; But now my eye sees You; 6 Therefore I retract, And I repent in dust and ashes."

Paul Tripp gives an illustration in his book Instruments in the Redeemer's Hand of a child who is at another child's birthday party and becomes very pouty because this child realizes as they bring out all of the gifts that it is not his party. The party is for someone else. God is the glorious who is to be celebrated. It's not our party! It's God's.