*Scripture: Job 11:1-20 (NKJV)* 1 Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said: 2 "Should not the multitude of words be answered? And should a man full of talk be vindicated? 3 Should your empty talk make men hold their peace? And when you mock, should no one rebuke you? 4 For you have said, 'My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in your eyes.' 5 But oh, that God would speak, and open His lips against you, 6 that He would show you the secrets of wisdom! For they would double your prudence. Know therefore that God exacts from you less than your iniquity deserves. 7 Can you search out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limits of the Almighty? 8 They are higher than heaven--what can you do? Deeper than Sheol--what can you know? 9 Their measure is longer than the earth and broader than the sea. 10 If He passes by, imprisons, and gathers to judgment, then who can hinder Him? 11 For He knows deceitful men; He sees wickedness also. Will He not then consider it? 12 For an empty-headed man will be wise, when a wild donkey's colt is born a man. 13 If you would prepare your heart, and stretch out your hands toward Him; 14 If iniquity were in your hand, and you put it far away, and would not let wickedness dwell in your tents; 15 Then surely you could lift up your face without spot; Yes, you could be steadfast, and not fear; 16 Because you would forget your misery, and remember it as waters that have passed away, 17 and your life would be brighter than noonday. Though you were dark, you would be like the morning. 18 And you would be secure, because there is hope; Yes, you would dig around you, and take your rest in safety. 19 You would also lie down, and no one would make you afraid; Yes, many would court your favor. 20 But the eyes of the wicked will fail, and they shall not escape, and their hope--loss of life!"
*Devotion* Zophar says, "Can you search out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limits of the Almighty?" His words are a stern reminder as we sometimes seek to probe the hidden God. There is much that the Lord has not revealed to us. We are to be content with His revelation in the holy Scriptures. We are not to forsake that pure and clear revelation that God makes about Himself, nor are we to seek other sources of knowledge about God and His will. The sinful flesh has always wanted to know the things that God has not given us to know. The serpent's temptation in the garden to be "like God" is the same lie he uses over and over. We are tempted to try to find God outside of His Word because our flesh is not content with the sacred Scriptures. There is much the Lord has not revealed to us. But what He has revealed to us in Scripture and in Christ Jesus is sufficient for salvation. It is also sufficient to create, build, sustain, and fortify our faith in the midst of suffering. We are confident that what God reveals to us is not contrary to what He has hidden from us. To think that God would say one thing in His Word and think another in His secret counsel would make God "two-faced." Faith trusts the Word of God written and enfleshed in the person of Jesus, Who was sent to make God the Father known. We know that what He tells us in holy Scripture and His hidden thoughts are the same in Christ Jesus.
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