When the Lord wants us to see through His eyes, He sends us the resources! I joined an online Bible study this month on God’s Magnificent Power by Rachel Wojo. 

As you’ve read in quite a few posts lately, the Lord is showing me where I am prideful in order to humble me, because “the Lord delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love.” (Ps. 147:11)

As I began to study Job 26, the first thing I noticed when Job answered his friends (who were anything but encouraging), is that it is prideful to share our own “wisdom” with others. We may share our story (if someone wants to hear it) and share what we have learned, but it’s best to leave the “drawing of wisdom” to the Holy Spirit, otherwise our heart may be prideful.  “To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are His” (Job 12:13).

We don’t know God’s plans for others or how He is using their circumstances for His glory. We must realize that we have finite wisdom, while His is infinite. The best encouragement is to lend an ear, share a prayer, share God’s Word, and lend a shoulder should they need it. “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” (1 Thess. 5:11) When we encourage others, we need to encourage from a heart overflowing with God’s fullness (Eph. 3:19). With any other intent, the Lord will see our hearts laid bare before Him (Heb. 4:13).

In contrast to our limited wisdom and power, the Lord’s are immeasurable. He created the sky, water, land, plants, creatures and man from the void; He is able to both cause and calm a storm, shake the earth, and understand everything! “And these are but the outer fringe of His works; how faint the whisper we hear of Him! Who then can understand the thunder of His power?” (Job 26:14)

His thoughts and ways are not our thoughts. He sees the “big picture” because He knows and sees everything, while we are only able to see a minutia; and He does great things beyond our understanding. “At this my heart pounds and leaps from its place…God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways; He does great things beyond our understanding.” (Job 37:1-5)

He is just and righteous. “His mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.” (Luke 1:50-52) Who am I to question what He does?

The Lord does what He wants “so that everyone He has made may know His work, He stops all people from their labor…He loads the clouds with moisture…At His direction they…do whatever He commands them. He brings the clouds to punish people, or to water His earth and show His love.” (Job 37:7-13)

“Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: ‘You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” (Rev. 4:9-11)

Our view of the Lord impacts three areas of life. First, it affects our prayers. As we come to know Him better and better, our desires will start to look like His goals for us, and our petitions will align more closely with His purposes. Furthermore, as we recognize His greatness and power, we’ll become more confident that He can accomplish mighty things—and we will venture to “pray big.”

Second, our understanding of His righteousness and goodness influences our behavior. If God has these attributes, surely it is in our best interest to obey gladly. We will desire righteousness and be quick to repent of sin.

Third, our faith is impacted. Grasping that Jesus is holy, good, and powerful grows our trust in Him. Knowing our awesome God and remembering His great works will further build our confidence in Him.