Brace YourselfBrace Yourself

What to expect when God Speaks.

The Thought. The Thought.

• God doesn’t answer the way we expect Him to.

Our SituationOur Situation

• We assume God’s answer will be directly related to our immediate situation, need or circumstance.

• Our situation becomes the priority rather than our understanding of who God is.

Job 38:1-3Job 38:1-3Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the

storm. He said:

“Who is this that obscures my plans    with words without knowledge?

 Brace yourself like a man;    I will question you,

    and you shall answer me”

God’s Reply – 3 parts

1. Grace (vs 1)

2. Humility (vs. 2)

3. Challenge (vs. 3)

Our ResponseOur Response

Job 42:1-6Job 42:1-6 Then Job replied to the Lord:

 “I know that you can do all things;    no purpose of yours can be thwarted. You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures

my plans without knowledge?’    Surely I spoke of things I did not

understand,    things too wonderful for me to know.

Job 42:1-6Job 42:1-6

“You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak;    I will question you,

    and you shall answer me.’ My ears had heard of you

    but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself

    and repent in dust and ashes.”

Our Response

1. Humility – a rightful place (v. 3)

Combination of 2 truths:• Man’s finite understanding of God’s plans and workings.

• An active trust in God’s goodness

• In practice? Repentance and Submission (v. 6)

Our Response

2. Eternal Vision – A right understanding (v. 5)

• A Revelation of God and His nature.

• Priorities: Perception of Eternity