God’s Power on Display 上帝显权能

[Dexu Xia]

What is the way to the place where the lightning is dispersed, or the place where the east winds are scattered over the earth?  Job 38:24

It was a lightning storm, and my six-year-old daughter and I were on the floor watching the dazzling display through the glass door. She kept repeating, “Wow! God is so big.” I felt the same way. It was obvious to both of us how small we were, and how powerful God must be. Lines from the book of Job flashed through my mind, “What is the way to the place where the lightning is dispersed, or the place where the east winds are scattered over the earth?” (Job 38:24).

Job needed to be reminded of God’s power (vv. 34–41). His life had fallen apart. His children were dead. He was broke. He was sick. His friends offered no empathy. His wife encouraged him to abandon his faith (2:9). Eventually, Job asked God, “Why?” (ch. 24) and He responded out of a storm (ch. 38).

God reminded Job of His control over the physical attributes of the world (ch. 38). This comforted him and he responded, “My ears had heard of you, but now my eyes have seen you” (42:5). In other words, “Now I get it, God! I see that you don’t fit into my box.”

When life falls apart, sometimes the most comforting thing we can do is to lie on the floor and watch the lightning—to be reminded that the God who created the world is big enough and loving enough to take care of us too. We may even start singing our favorite worship songs that tell of the might and greatness of our God.

When was the last time you saw God’s power on display? What went through your mind as you witnessed His bigness?

God, help me see how big You are and to stop trying to fit You into small boxes. Help me to trust that if You’re big enough to create and control lightning, You’re big enough to help me through life’s challenges.

 光亮从何路分开？东风从何路分散遍地？—约伯记38章24节

屋外大雨滂沱，雷电交加，我和六岁的女儿坐在家里的地板上，看着玻璃门外的狂风骤雨、电闪雷鸣。女儿不断地说：“哇，上帝好伟大！”我也深有同感。我们都清楚知道自己多么渺小，而上帝多么有能力！我的脑海里随即浮现约伯记38章24节：“光亮从何路分开？东风从何路分散遍地？”

约伯需要记得这位上帝大有能力（34-41节）。他的生活已经支离破碎。他的儿女死了，财产被抢了，健康也没了；他的朋友没有丝毫同理心；他的妻子怂恿他离弃上帝（2章9节）。最后，约伯问上帝：“为什么？”（24章），而上帝从旋风中回答他（38章）。

上帝提醒约伯，祂掌管大自然的运作（38章）。这使约伯得着安慰并对上帝说：“我从前风闻有祢，现在亲眼看见祢”（42章5节）。换言之，约伯是说：“上帝啊，现在我明白了，祢奇妙的作为过于我所能测度！”

当生活变得支离破碎，有时最让我们得安慰的是坐在地板上，一边看着窗外的闪电，一边提醒自己：那位创造世界的上帝也会以祂充足的大能和慈爱保守我们。此时，不妨开口吟唱自己最喜爱的诗歌，颂赞上帝的权能及伟大！

上次你看见上帝显出祂的权能是在什么时候？
当你看见祂的伟大会让你想到些什么？

上帝，帮助我看见祢是何等伟大，
而不再揣测祢的作为。
让我能够相信，祢既有能力创造、控制闪电，
也必有充足的能力引领我克服人生的种种挑战。