Job 12:13 “To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are His."
When we talk about the greatness of God we are talking about an area that is beyond our ability to comprehend.
The scriptures tell us this:
Psalm 145:3 Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; His greatness no one can fathom.
Psalm 150:2 Praise Him for His acts of power; praise Him for His surpassing greatness.
Psalm 95:3-5 For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods. In His hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to Him. The sea is His, for he made it, and His hands formed the dry land.
Proverbs 8:14 Counsel and sound judgment are Mine; I have insight, I have power.
When we speak of the greatness of God we are speaking of His greatness in every attribute of His Being. He is all knowing, ever present and all powerful. Job had experienced His greatness and had been blessed by the LORD. He has this testimony. Greatness in Wisdom- He is the all wise God. Greatness in Authority- all power and authority is His...
It is worth noting and remembering that when suffering comes, when we are wiped out, when we are in pain or sorrow we can look back and see God's Hand upon us. We can recall days of blessing and victory. That is what Job was doing here.
Even though he did not realize it at the time what Spurgeon said was true about Job: “They who dive in the sea of affliction bring up rare pearls.”
I think of the young people of the church in Bellevue, Haiti who watched the destruction of the church building and many of their homes. An 8 year old when it occurred is now 14. In their formidable years they are seeing God's Hand in ways many do not get to see. They are watching prayers answered. They are seeing miracles. They will see a well dug for the village soon. They understand perseverance. What was meant for evil God is now turning around to the saving of many lives.
They have helped me understand on a deeper level the words of Jesus, "I will build My Church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it."
So in his pain, mental, physical and emotional Job is thinking about the Greatness of God. He expresses that praise in a number of ways.
First...
1. His Wisdom
skill (in war), wisdom (in administration), shrewdness, prudence (in religious affairs)
*We see His wisdom in His Word. One chapter of Proverbs a day.
*We see His wisdom in is Sovereignty. God's Hand in all things, working all things together for the good of those who love Him.
Romans 8.28
Romans 8:28 And we know with great confidence that God who is deeply concerned about us causes all things to work together as a plan for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.
Amplified
Romans 8:28 Moreover we know that to those who love God, who are called according to his plan, everything that happens fits into a pattern for good. Philipps
Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
NASB
*We see His Wisdom in His Creation
Proverbs 8:22-23 “The LORD brought me forth as the first of His works, before His deeds of old; I was formed long ages ago, at the very beginning, when the world came to be. onto vs.31
The way He has made the earth self sustaining!
*We see His wisdom in His work in our lives.
What wisdom! He causes all things to work together for good for us!
We may ask, "How can good come out of this?" Only God!
Joseph came to understand the pearl of God's Sovereignty in his life when he was older:
Genesis 50:20 But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.
2. All Power Is His
strength, might, valour, bravery, mighty deeds (of God)
We haven't begun to experience what He is able to do. We limit Him so often by unbelief.
When we limit God we do not see the things He does.
I love the prayer of Elisha for his servant:
2 Kings 6:14-17 Therefore he sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city. And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, and said, “LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
Psalm 68:17 The chariots of God are tens of thousands and thousands of thousands; the LORD has come from Sinai into His sanctuary.
Do you believe that?!
He has power, all power.
He can do anything.
Nothing is too difficult for Him1
A.W. Tozer "Anything God has ever done, He can do now. Anything God has ever done anywhere, He can do here. Anything God has ever done for anyone, He can do for you.”
Psalm 147:5 Great is our LORD and mighty in power; His understanding has no limit.
Psalm 33:6-7 By the Word of the LORD the heavens were made,their starry host by the breath of His mouth. He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; He puts the deep into storehouses.
3. The Counsel of God
counsel, advice, purpose, consult, give counsel, devise, plan, deliberate, counsel, to conspire
He is the Wonderful Counselor/ The Counselor of Wonder
Wonderful= marvel, extraordinary, hard to understand
Counselor= advisor, consultant, conspire*
Proverbs 8:10-11 Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.
4. His Understanding
intelligence, insight, knowledge, to discern, consider, to perceive, know (with the mind), to observe, mark, give heed to, distinguish, consider, prudent, regard, attentive
Proverbs 8:33 Listen to My instruction and be wise; do not disregard it.
No one can fathom
Our narrow views of God's government lead to false opinions about His action. We are tempted to fancy that all He does is solely with a view to its effect on ourselves. Thus we colour the universe with our egotism. But the LORD of all must have vast interests to consider of which we know nothing. What looks foolish to us because we cannot see the end in view - an end often quite outside ourselves, would appear in a very different light if we knew all God's far-reaching designs.
Take the silk worm...
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombyx_mori
The LORD is all knowing. The wisest thing you ca do today is to trust Him. Even if you do not understand, He does fully. Commit your way to Him...
Psalm 37:5-7 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.
Psalm 70:4 But may all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; may those who long for Your saving help always say,“The LORD is great!”
