God’s Mighty Power
12 “Have you [c]ever in your life commanded the morning,
And caused the dawn to know its place,
13 That it might take hold of the ends of the earth,
And the wicked be shaken out of it?
14 “It is changed like clay under the seal;
And they stand forth like a garment.
15 “From the wicked their light is withheld,
And the uplifted arm is broken.16 “Have you entered into the springs of the sea
Or walked [d]in the recesses of the deep?
17 “Have the gates of death been revealed to you,
Or have you seen the gates of deep darkness?
18 “Have you understood the [e]expanse of the earth?
Tell Me, if you know all this.19 “Where is the way to the dwelling of light?
And darkness, where is its place,
20 That you may take it to its territory
And that you may discern the paths to its [f]home?
21 “You know, for you were born then,
And the number of your days is great!
22 “Have you entered the storehouses of the snow,
Or have you seen the storehouses of the hail,
23 Which I have reserved for the time of distress,
For the day of war and battle?
24 “Where is the way that the light is divided,
Or the east wind scattered on the earth?
In the middle of God reminding Job how little he knows, there’s this lovely bit of humor from God in verse 21. No doubt, if Job’s friends weren’t shaking in their boots, they probably held in a chuckle as God says Job is so old he surely knows all these wondrous and unfathomable things. But of course Job wasn’t nearly old enough and didn’t know any of these things.
Too often we think of God as all serious and not a drop of humor. But who created laughter? Who gave us funny bones that aren’t at all funny? Who tells the ultimate “dad jokes”? Our Father in heaven has the best sense of humor out of all of us. As others have said, take one look at the platypus. Or consider all the exceptions to the rule that we find in the plant and animal kingdoms.
Yes, there are things about which God is deathly serious. But if you’re a parent, think of the times you have to laugh because your child does something so preposterous. Or if you’re not a parent, think of silly things you’ve done and imagine what your parents must have thought. Then multiply that by 6 billion for God, plus all the other living beings that give God great delight.
So don’t take yourself so seriously, and remember to laugh, even at yourself. Laugh with God so he doesn’t have to laugh alone. Enjoy the delights in things that might seem small or plain, but which are so painstakingly created, that they shout at the glory of their Creator. Don’t get stuck in the tragedy and despair of sin and it’s consequences. For all the “groaning” of the earth, there’s a lot more joy and beauty to be found, because we reflect the image of our Maker and his everlasting sense of humor.