“…things I did not understand…” Job 42:3b

God confronted Job with a question: “Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?” (See 38:2; 42:3a) The question in our time would read, “Who discounts my words adding to their own ignorance?” In other words, those who ignore guidance from the sacred texts are doomed to repeat the catastrophes of history. It’s happening in our own day… in our time.

Job had been too quick to speak of things which he had no understanding (v.3b). Job emphasized his repentant confession, stating: “…things too wonderful for me to know.” (v.3c) Perhaps, Job had never considered the interconnectedness of creation. God’s signature is upon every tree limb, every leaf, every gnat, every living thing, in the clouds, stars, and even in the ocean’s deepest reaches. Nevertheless, the first step of gaining new understanding is admitting what one does not know… and new understanding of life leads to greater trust in God.

According to his son, Poet Joyce Kilmer wrote in his journal a poem entitled, Trees, on February 2, 1913. It has since become an intimate word picture of earth’s reliance upon her Creator:

I think that I shall never see a poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is pressed against the earth’s sweet flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day, and lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in Summer wear a nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain; who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me, but only God can make a tree.

Indeed, how wonderful is the diversity, the depth and height of God’s genius in creation! All of it is simply too wonderful for any of us to fully know. God, however, is The Revealer of hidden things, and allows mankind to make new discoveries applicable to our lives. Blessed be the name of The Lord!

Have a blessed day…