Today as I began reading the book of Job, I noticed that Job really knew God.

In verse 1 we learn that Job was a man of integrity and he feared God. He also knows what God likes and dislikes because it says he turned from evil.

“There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away form evil.”

In verse 5 we are told that he was continually aware of the fact that his children could be involved in things that displeased God.

“And when the days of the feast had run their course, Job would send and consecrate them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my children have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did continually.”

In order to fear someone, know what they like or dislike, and what pleases them…you must know them.

Sometimes this knowledge comes through things we read, sometimes through others, and sometimes through our own experience. But being familiar with the preferences and character of someone requires knowing them.

Job knew God.

Once we hit verse 6 God has an interaction with the Adversary, Satan. During this time Satan tells God that Job chooses Him because God has only shown Himself in Job’s life in ways that Job would consider “good.” So we read that God gives Satan access to Job’s life with the restriction of not touching Job’s person.

Satan wastes no time. All in the span of one day, Job gets word of his donkeys, sheep, camels, servants, and children being struck down and killed.

When Job hears all of this verse 20 tell us that he arises, tears his robe, shaves his head and falls on the ground.

“Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground…”

Physically, he responds to the grief.

He must.

Our bodies respond to the situations of this world in tangible and physical ways. Jesus sweat drops of blood in response his feeling overwhelmed to the point of death.

We are created to physically respond.

But what Job does next in verse 20 was a choice.

…and worshiped.”

The word worship here comes from the Greek word shachah which means to bow down before God in reverence.

So many things in life come about by no choice of our own.

Death.

Destruction.

Abuse.

Accidents.

Desertion.

And there are some initial responses that can naturally come with those occurrences such as anger, sadness, fear, grief through no choice of our own.

But there are also choices that we DO have. We choose what we do with those natural feelings and physiological reactions.

Job chose to worship. Why?

Because he knew God. In verse 21 he says “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.”

He knew God’s power. He knew God’s sovereignty. He knew God’s goodness.

His feelings and physical responses were not bad or wrong.

But when he had a choice with what came next, he chose to place those responses at the feet of the One he knew to be powerful, sovereign, and good.

Can I do that?

Will I do that?

At one point or another we will all face uncontrollable circumstances in our lives. Circumstances that bring about painful responses.

Knowing God now, equips us to trust Him when things feel out of control.

Learn from Job’s story. Listen to the stories that others share with you. Examine your own life and become aware of His work in it.

And ask.

Ask Him to reveal more, to teach you more, to show you more.

Ask Him to help you know Him more.

The Bible tells us that we will have trials. I want to chose Jesus when those trials come. I want the peace, hope, and joy that He promises me in all circumstances.

So today I choose to know Him more.

You can too.