Originally posted: 9/15/2020

Then the Lord answered Job out of the storm… (40:6).

There were many times during the last thirty-seven days when I had sincerely thought, I would never want to be Job. But I think, today, just might take the cake.

For thirty-seven chapters we waited to finally hear God Himself speak; but today His voice sounded, well, scary. And I wondered, did Job want to run and hide when God confronted him, and called Job to account for his words before the Almighty?

“Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty?
Let him who reproves God answer it,” (40:2).

Job wisely realized he had said enough.

“Behold, I am insignificant; what can I reply to You?
I lay my hand on my mouth.
⁵ “Once I have spoken, and I will not answer;
Even twice, and I will add nothing more,” (40:4-5).

And God delivered His reply, clearly making known His sovereign power and rule over every part of His creation; choosing to do so from Out of the Storm.

Then the Lord answered Job out of the storm and said, (40:6).

In the Bible, as well as in our own times, storms represent many things. But most often, we speak of the storms of life as symbolizing difficulties, problems, loneliness, weakness and depression.

But Storms also embody strength and power. And God answered Out of the Storm of His strength and power, and Out of the Storm that had become Job’s life.

And I couldn’t help but wonder, if for a brief moment, Job now thought that the storm of his own life was less frightening than the Storm he now heard, standing in the winds of His thunderous voice:

“Now gird up your loins like a man;
I will ask you, and you instruct Me.
⁸ “Will you really annul My judgment?
Will you condemn Me that you may be justified?
⁹ “Or do you have an arm like God,
And can you thunder with a voice like His?” (40:7-9).

Every word God spoke must have hit Job like a tempest blasting forth from Out of the Storm, plunging Job into the reality of His Almighty power and strength.

And I wondered, was Job daring to hope, that from out of the terror of the Storm, by His strength and power, God would bring His deliverance and rescue?

And I suppose Job was both terrified and hopeful, all at the same time. Terrified as he heard God’s stinging rebuke, yet hopeful when faced with the truth of God’s very essence: adorned with great glory and dignified splendor; clothed with honor and majesty.

“Adorn yourself with eminence and dignity,
And clothe yourself with honor and majesty,” (40:10).

Although He came in the Storm, God had not left Job. And in the midst of the Storm, fear and hope must have whirled about Job as he found himself in the very presence of Him Who Answers Out of the Storm.

Consider Him Who Answers Out of the Storm

• He Answers Out of the Storm to Display His Dominion
  • The Lord is slow to get angry, but his power is great,
    and he never lets the guilty go unpunished.
    He displays his power in the whirlwind and the storm.
    The billowing clouds are the dust beneath his feet, (Nahum 1:3 NLT).
  • The Lord hurled a great wind on the sea and there was a great storm on the sea so that the ship was about to break up, (Jonah 1:4).
  • But as they were sailing along He fell asleep; and a fierce gale of wind descended on the lake, and they began to be swamped and to be in danger. ²⁴ They came to Jesus and woke Him up, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And He got up and rebuked the wind and the surging waves, and they stopped, and it became calm. ²⁵ And He said to them, “Where is your faith?” They were fearful and amazed, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him?” (Luke 8:23-25).

• He Answers Out of the Storm to Deploy His Deliverance
  • Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
    And He brought them out of their distresses.
    ²⁹ He caused the storm to be still,
    So that the waves of the sea were hushed, (Psalm 107:28-29).
  • For You have been a defense for the helpless,
    A defense for the needy in his distress,
    A refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat… (Isaiah 25:4).
  • “O afflicted one, storm-tossed, and not comforted,
    Behold, I will set your stones in antimony,
    And your foundations I will lay in sapphires.
    ¹² “Moreover, I will make your battlements of rubies,
    And your gates of crystal,
    And your entire wall of precious stones,” (Isaiah 54:11-12).

How do we respond to Him Who Answers Out of the Storm?

Oh, that we would be comforted and encouraged, for however huge the Storms in our life may be, the Storm of His power and strength is ever so much greater.

• When we find ourselves in the Storm of Difficulties, let us take courage in Him Who Answers Out of the Storm to give us His peace.
  • These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world,” (John 16:33).

• When we find ourselves in the Storm of Problems, let us cast our anxiety on Him Who Answers Out of the Storm because He cares for us.
  • casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you, (1 Peter 5:7).

• When we find ourselves in the Storm of Loneliness, let us rest in Him Who Answers Out of the Storm, for He is with us to help and uphold us with His hand.
  • “Do not fear, for I am with you;
    Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.
    I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,
    Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand,” (Isaiah 41:10).

• When we find ourselves in the Storm of Weakness, let us rely on Him Who Answers Out of the Storm, for His grace is sufficient and His power is perfect.
  • And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness,” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

• When we find ourselves in the Storm of Depression, we must choose to believe that He Answers Out of the Storm. Oh, that we would find our comfort and strength in knowing that when we are broken and crushed, He is mighty and powerful, and so very near to save us.
  • The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
    And saves those who are crushed in spirit, (Psalm 34:18).

Let’s Grow Together!