We've been examining God as our King all month here on the blog. We've learned that He's a powerful King, an approachable King, a humble King, and our coming King. I'd like to add one more adjective to the list—capable. In other words, He can handle it.
I think that this characteristic is best illustrated in Scripture in the book of Job. The Cliff Notes' version of Job's story goes a little something like this: Job had it all. Job lost it all (including his wealth, his children, and his health). Job's suffering was more than anything you and I will ever face. Amidst such difficult circumstances, Job's friends and family start to wonder (out loud) if Job could handle the trials he faced. The truth was, he couldn't.
But God could.
After listening to Job and his friends go on and on about why Job's circumstances were so tough and what he should do about it, God Himself comes up with an answer.
In Job 38:1, 4–11 we read:
Then the LORD answered Job out of the storm, He said:
"… Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation?
Tell me, if you understand.
Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know!
Who stretched a measuring line across it?
On what were its footings set,
or who laid its cornerstone—
while the morning stars sang together
and all the angels shouted for joy?
"Who shut up the sea behind doors
when it burst forth from the womb,
when I made the clouds its garment
and wrapped it in thick darkness,
when I fixed limits for it
and set its doors and bars in place,
when I said, ‘This far you may come and no farther;
here is where your proud waves halt'?"
Verse after verse, God goes on to describe His unique powers and experiences, like entering the storehouses of snow, tipping the water jars of the heavens, and commanding the eagle to soar. Cool, huh?
What's His point? I'm big. I'm really, really big. I can handle it.
I don't know about you, but sometimes—especially when life gets tough—it is hard for me to remember what a capable King we serve. When things aren't going my way, some part of me wonders if God can handle it. I forget that He stretched the heavens. I forget that He cares for all of creation. I forget that He was in charge before I was even born and will remain in charge long after I die.
But my memory loss doesn't change a thing. Whether or not I remember it in the storms of life, I serve a King who is capable of unbelievable things and He is capable of handling whatever challenges I face in my own life.
Can I be honest? I'm feeling a little Job-like today. The troubles of life are piling up on me. I'm facing some challenges that seem insurmountable. Until I sat down to write this post, there was a part of me that was wondering if God could handle it. I'm so glad He reminded me that He can.
How about you? Are you stressed, anxious, sad or worried? Are you facing some big difficult circumstances and secretly wondering if God can handle it? Take a lesson from Job (and me). He can.
