“Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?”
(Job 11:7)
Job’s question in this passage is, in reality, affirming the fact that no amount of effort, intelligence, curiosity, or persistence can bring us to a full comprehension of the Almighty, for He is infinite, unsearchable, and beyond the limits of our understanding. And yet, here is the wonder of wonders … that this great and unsearchable God regards me.
That is the doctrine evident here—that it is a wonder beyond all wonders that the great God should make such account of such a small thing as man.[1]
The first consideration that brings this wonder into focus is the greatness of God Himself. God’s being, His power, His wisdom, His glory cannot be contained within human language. And yet, He graciously made His greatness visible enough to draw our hearts upward to Him.
His greatness is seen plainly in His works. The earth hangs upon nothing. Every creature serves the purpose it was made for. Seasons turn with order. Strength to labor and appetite to eat are daily gifts. The heavens declare His glory without interruption. Every day speaks and every night testifies that a great, wise, powerful, and good God stands behind it all.
God’s greatness is also displayed in His Word. There is none like Him, clothed with majesty, holiness, and honor. In comparison, Scripture refers to man as a worm … weak and needy. This begs the question: why would such a God look upon such a creature? Why would He give attention, care, or delight to something so insignificant and frail?
And there is a second consideration: Man is empty of spiritual good by nature. There is nothing in him that can recommend him to God. He is not only empty of spiritual good, he is infinitely in debt to a holy God. He owes obedience he has not given, love he has withheld, holiness he does not possess. Even when grace restores him, the service he offers is, at best, weak and imperfect.
Man is also vile. Sin is his natural state. What is repulsive to God has become familiar to man. Which brings us to the third and final consideration: the astonishing account God makes of man.
God cares for humanity, and that personally, deliberately, and continually. His care is fatherly and constant. He takes it upon Himself to give grace that is both abundant and precious and overflowing mercy poured out freely.
But above all, God has given us His Christ. This is the wonder above all wonders. Christ was sent to die to pay our sin debt with a price beyond comparison. Blood of infinite worth was shed for sinners of no worth in themselves. This is where all boasting dies, for what could man possibly point to in himself that would justify such a cost?
Moreover, what He has prepared for those He loves cannot be fully imagined. He has stored up goodness beyond our capacity to grasp. The future of those who love Him exceeds all language we know.
Job’s question remains unanswered in this one sense—we cannot search out God. But the greater mystery is that this God, whom we cannot fully know, has chosen to know us, to care for us, to redeem us, and to prepare glory for us. That is the wonder that leaves the soul in awe.
Contemplations:
- Facing the limits of my understanding. This verse in Job reminds me that I cannot search God out or master His ways. But I don’t have to fully understand God in order to trust Him. I’m learning to let mystery lead me to worship instead of frustration.
- Seeing myself without illusions. It’s uncomfortable to sit with what Scripture says about man. I want to think I bring something valuable to God, but I know I am vain, dependent, and deeply flawed. That truth may hurt my pride, but it also clears the way for grace. If God sets His heart on me, it is solely because of His mercy.
- Wondering at God’s care. I’m struck by the idea that God personally and continually cares for me, though I often live as if I’m on my own. This truth calls me back to trust instead of self-reliance.
- Being overwhelmed by the cost of grace. I can understand God giving gifts. I struggle to understand God giving His Son. When I look at Christ given, Christ crucified, Christ offered for sinners, I can only bring gratitude and need.
Prayer (Supplication)
Great and unsearchable God, I come before You knowing that I cannot fully understand You. I cannot search You out or grasp the depths of who You are. Your greatness stretches far beyond my thoughts, my words, and my understanding. And yet, You have invited me to come. You have allowed me to speak. You have encouraged me to ask. So I come in need, not with answers, but with dependence.
Help me, Lord, to live rightly before such greatness. Keep me from pride when I forget how small I am. Keep me from fear when I forget how great You are. Teach me to submit my thoughts, my plans, and my desires to You, instead of trying to control what I was never meant to master.
I ask You to show me my true condition. Help me see my vanity, my weakness, and my sin honestly. Strip away the false confidence that comes from ability, experience, or success. And make me poor in spirit so that I will cling to Your mercy.
Lord, I need Your care. I ask You to help me cast my cares on You instead of carrying them alone. When I forget that You are watching over me, remind me. When I act as if my life rests entirely on my own effort, correct me gently but firmly.
I ask You to deepen my understanding of the cost of grace. Let Christ’s sacrifice restrain my sin and strengthen my obedience. Break my attachment to lesser things and fix my heart on what You have laid up for those who love You.
Prepare me, Lord, for what I cannot yet see that I may live now in light of what You have stored up for me. Keep me faithful, dependent, and hopeful until the day when what is now hidden will finally be revealed.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Further Scripture References for Job 11:7:
Eccl. 3:11; Rom. 11:33; Job 5:9; Job 37:23; Psa. 145:3
[1] Joseph Alleine, Remains of That Excellent Minister of Jesus Christ, Mr. Joseph Alleine (London: Printed for Peter Parker .., 1674), 279–280.
