Obedient Lightnings

“Can you lift up your voice to the clouds, that an abundance of water may cover you? Can you send out lightnings, that they may go, and say to you, ‘Here we are!’?” –Job 38:34-35

What a mighty God we serve!

This passage is found at the end of the book of Job, after God has allowed for Job’s life to be shaken. God’s justice has been questioned, and God responds: who is man that he should question God? Was man present when the earth was created? Did man give counsel on where the stars were to be placed in the heavens? Did man show himself worthy of praise by controlling the flow of the powerful seas?

No, man did not… but God did.

There is great beauty to be found in unraveling and contemplating the truth of these two small verses. Our Father is most powerful: He commands - by the mere release of His utterances - the often tumultuous, and seemingly random, weather of this world. He lifts His voice, and the clouds loose their rain upon the earth.

The Creator says… and the creation does.

If we look closer, though, we see not only the fact that the creation obeys, but obeys with passion! God commands the lightnings to move, and it comes to Him and says, “Here we are! We have come to hear Your word! Command us, O Creator, that we may fulfill our purpose!” For this is where all of creation finds its greatest joy: in serving the One which it was created to serve.

So when our LORD commands us, we, as part of creation, should obey not with dullness or reluctance, but with vigor and excitement!

Let’s think on another beautiful truth here: This is the same Voice which not only commands us to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:33), but has also commanded the following:

“Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.” -Luke 7:50

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” -John 13:34-35

“Do not be afraid; only believe.” -Mark 5:36

“Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.” -Mark 5:19

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and My burden is light.” -Matthew 11:30

How matchless is our God! He is the God who calls us to righteousness, as well as to peace, love, faith, joy, and rest… all in the same compulsive breath! The same God who commands the sea and the skies commands us to be found complete in Him: how can we refuse?!