Am I Enough – Job Speaks Again - Sovereignty

Greetings Dear Reader,

Humans have an independent spirit that is largely responsible for our vast advances and great discoveries.  We do not lightly endure oppression and subjugation.  We constantly look outward to what is undiscovered. 

Job so clearly sees the awe and mystery of creation.  He knows there is so much to discover and enjoy.  Even in the midst of his sorrow, pain, and loss he does not fail to see the beauty of the world.  He also understands that the entire universe is the single composition of the divine.

It is this understanding that allows him to keep his integrity before his false accusers.  So often we demand that God comply to our own standards.  So often we insist that God be reformed in our image.  That same independent spirit that is so beautiful in us causes us to rebel against the idea that there is a God who created, owns, and rules over everything.

Until we accept the sovereignty of God we struggle to accept our accountability to him.  We look at the flaws of those who serve him and find him flawed.  We proceed to examine the universe from the wrong direction.  We do not see our need when we reject the power and position of the one who can meet it.

I must always begin from this place.  God is the sovereign of the universe; full stop.  From that I can embrace that the infinite diversity in infinite combinations of all there is as a testament to how unique and beautiful creation is.  I can see the place of man in this dance and embrace that I have a rich part to play.  I can only, however contribute my verse to the song if I do it in obedience to God by following his Son.

Centuries of Meditations – Thomas Traherne

2:23

Above all, man discovereth the glory of God; who being himself Immortal, is the divinest creature. He hath a dominion over all the rest, and God over him: By him, the fountain of all these things is the end of them: for he can return to their Author deserved praises. Senses cannot resemble that which they cannot apprehend; nor express that which they, cannot resemble, but in a shady manner. But man is made in the Image of God, and therefore is a mirror and representative of Him. And therefore in himself he may see God, which is his glory and felicity. .His thoughts and desires can run out to everlasting. His love can extend to all objects, his understanding is an endless light, and can infinitely be present in all places, and see and examine all beings, survey the reasons, surmount the greatness, exceed the strength, contemplate the beauty, enjoy the benefit, and reign over all it sees and enjoys like the Eternal Godhead. Here is an invisible power, an indivisible omnipresence, a spiritual supremacy, an inward, hidden, unknown being greater than all, a sublime and sovereign creature meet to live in communion with God, in the fruition of them.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store."

Job 12:1-25

Then Job replied to his friends,

"You certainly are wise people, and when you die, wisdom will die. Like you, I have a mind. I am not inferior to you. But who doesn't know these things? I am a laughingstock to my neighbors. I am one who calls on God and expects an answer. A man of integrity, a man who is righteous, has become a laughingstock.

"A person who has an easy life has no appreciation for misfortune. He thinks it is the fate of those who slip up. But robbers' tents are prosperous, and there is security for those who provoke God, for those whose god is their power.

"Instead, ask the animals, and they will teach you. Ask the birds, and they will tell you.  Or speak with the earth, and it will teach you. Even the fish will relate the story to you. What creature doesn't know that the LORD'S hands made it?  The life of every living creature and the spirit in every human body are in his hands.  Doesn't the ear distinguish sounds and the tongue taste food?  

"Wisdom is with the ancient one. The one who has had many days has insight.  God has wisdom and strength. Advice and insight are his.  When he tears something down, it cannot be rebuilt. When he puts someone in prison, that person cannot be freed.  When he holds back the waters, there is a drought. When he releases them, they flood the earth. 

"God has power and priceless wisdom. He owns both the deceiver and the person who is deceived.  He leads counselors away barefoot and makes fools out of judges.  He loosens kings' belts and strips them of their pants.  He leads priests away barefoot and misleads those who serve in a temple.  He makes trusted advisers unable to speak and takes away the good judgment of respected leaders.  He pours contempt on influential people and unbuckles the belt of the mighty.” 

“He uncovers mysteries hidden in the darkness and brings gloom into the light.  He makes nations important and then destroys them. He makes nations large and leads them away.  He takes away the common sense of a country's leaders and makes them stumble about in a pathless wilderness.  They grope in the dark with no light, and he makes them stumble like drunks.”