NOVEMBER 7, 2024
“Should it be according to thy mind? he will recompense it, whether thou refuse, or whether thou choose; and not I: therefore speak what thou knowest.” (Job 34:33)
It is never wise to dispute with God. Anyone who does so is essentially saying, “The Judge of the whole earth is wrong, and it should be according to my mind.” The speaker here in this chapter is asking all complainers against providence, “Wilt thou condemn him (God) that is most just?” (Vs. 17) He had just made the point that if it is disrespectful to accuse a king or a prince of wrongdoing, how much more so“Him (God) that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor,” noting that they are all the work of His hand. (Vs. 18, 19) “Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, why hast thou made me thus?” (Rom. 9:20) Yet we creatures of clay are ever prone to dispute with the Divine Potter about His work. “Should it be according to thy mind?”
Elihu, in his attempt to correct Job, declares yet another absolute truth with respect to God’s dealings with man: “For he will not lay upon man more than right; that he should enter into judgment with God.” (Vs. 23) Notice, when God chastens us, it is good for us to respond by saying “I will not offend any more.” (Vs. 31) When there is something that we need to learn, let us humbly say, “That which I see not teach thou me” (Vs. 32). It is always better for us to so respond to our righteous, all wise, and merciful God, rather than to proudly suggest that we know what is best. What pride! What arrogance! To suggest that God should govern according to our mind is to imply that we are wiser than God.
Since “He will recompense it, whether thou refuse, or whether thou choose,” is it not in your best interest to submit? When God chastens, is it not wise to cease to offend and say, “I will not offend any more?” Any child who has ever felt the chastening rod can attest to this fact. When the Lord sees fit to teach through “painful lessons” things that we need to learn, it only makes sense to become a “quick study” and say, “That which I see not teach thou me.”
No unsaved person should be so foolish as to dispute with his Sovereign God, who is the only Savior for sinners. How ought salvation come to your soul? “Should it be according to thy mind?” Should beggars be choosers? Should the sinner in need of repentance become a dictator? Should not God, the gracious Donor of salvation save according to His will? These questions imply that there is an objection. But to what the sinner objects is not quite clear. Is it too much of grace? Is it too simple? You must know that anything you might add to make it less of grace or less simple would only ruin it. All of the false religions in the world bear the same message. “It should be according to the mind of man.” Proud man wants to add his works to the perfect vicarious and substitutionary work of the Divine Savior.
To all who would dispute with the Sovereign Savior, listen to His warning. “He will recompense it, whether thou refuse, or whether thou choose.” God will perform His pleasure, and He will punish sin. God will glorify Christ and Him alone in the salvation of sinners. Let all men know and understand that God is not asking for permission or cooperation from His creature. He will magnify His own name by carrying out His work of mercy in the one way, which He has chosen. He will not alter one jot nor tittle to accommodate vainglorious men. Salvation is and shall ever be according to the mind of God. Scripture declares that “God hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence.” The only sound advice for all who would be saved, is to abandon all trust in men and cast your soul upon Sovereign Mercy, calling upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Speak Your Mind