Job has just endured being confronted and challenged by God. That’s right. By God. For 37 chapters God did not say a word to Job. In all of Job’s questions and worries, in all of his doubts and fears lived out, God remained quiet. Until.

At one point Job said this: “If only I had someone to hear my case! Here is my signature; let the Almighty answer me. Let my Opponent compose his indictment” (Job 31:35, CSB). And then Job remains quiet for the rest of the book.

But then in Job 38, God “showed up” and answered Job, but he answered Job from the whirlwind. And God’s coming to Job was not nice, but it was necessary. God started off his words to Job by saying, “Who is this who obscures my counsel with ignorant words? Get ready to answer me like a man; when I question you, you will inform me” (Job 38:2-3, CSB). He started off hard and kept it going for three chapters.

And then in Job 42 Job said these words: “I know that you can do anything and no plan of yours can be thwarted.” Job was so humbled by his encounter with God. He was terrified and repentant, having now seen God for himself and therefore knew that God was “too wondrous” for him and that he had no right to expect God to explain himself. But still, that first statement is so powerful and necessary for us as we continue to walk through life. Job had to come to the point of saying out of true conviction because he was confronted by God, but I wonder if Job kept coming back to this truth for his future days even after God restored him. 

Think about the truth in that statement: God can do anything and nothing can stop him from accomplishing his work. There have been times when God has had to confront me like he did Job because I’ve needed to be humbled. But today, as I write this, I’m not at a place of terror before God but rather one of peace and “slow” as I’m learning to stroll with my Creator. I’m not saying I will never need to be humbled again, just like Job. I’m sure that will come. But what I am saying is that Job’s statement from a place of rest and peace with God is a joyful and life-giving truth that encourages me as it reminds me God can do anything that he wants and nothing can stop him from getting things done.

In his book, “Pray Big”Alistair Begg writes this:

“[God] says, I am going to pray for you, for God is able to bring you into this experience. I’m going to pray for you, because in prayer I am speaking to ‘him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think’ (Ephesians 3:20).

“And the language here is just piled up—encouragement on top of encouragement. God is able—able to do what we ask. He is able—able to do what we think of asking but aren’t sure that we can. He is able—able to do far more than we even thought of asking. There is nothing you can ask for, or think of asking for, about which he does not say, I am able to do better than that.“

So take a deep breath real quick. With all that you’re facing and the struggles and brokenness that you’re witnessing or experiencing, read this statement from a place of trust. And as you do, rest in the peace of Jesus.

God, I know that you can do anything and no plan of yours can be thwarted.

Hang in there. He’s got this.