We’ve been reading through the Bible chronologically as a family. Our goal is to read through the entire Bible this year.

Currently we are in Job, and it’s been interesting reading Job’s dialogue with his “friends” and towards God, as well as his “friends” opinions about the cause of his troubles. It’s such a basic struggle of Christianity. Why do bad things happen to good people? It seems more just to think that if you do good, good things will happen to you, and if you do bad things, bad things will happen.

However, it’s been my experience this year that things don’t always happen the way I imagine they should. As I shared here and here, I’ve seen good, God-loving people face horrible tragedy and terrifying struggles this year.

We want answers. We want to understand. Sometimes we find ourselves demanding an audience with God, wanting Him to give us an account for why this is happening.

But then we get to Job 38 where God begins to answer Job.

“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?

Tell me, if you have understanding.

Who determined its measurements –

surely you know!

Or who stretched the line upon it?

On what were its bases sunk,

or who laid its cornerstone,

when the morning stars sang together

and all the sons of God shouted for joy?“

Job 38: 4-7

Wow. Humbling. It continues for over two chapters, God pouring out the wonder of creation, and reminding Job (and us) of who He is and who we are.

Where were you?

The One who laid the cornerstone of Creation isn’t sleeping during our troubles. He is awesome, mighty, and powerful beyond all that we can comprehend, and we can rest in the fact that He understands justice far better than any of us. And He loves us. He loves us with an everlasting, unfailing love.

So in the midst of our struggles, in the times we cry out to God for an audience, we can find peace here. We weren’t at creation, but the One who was knows our name, and has us in His hand.