Job 33:12,13

God is greater than man.

Why dost thou strive with Him?

Man’s contentions, with God

The mysterious meeting place of the Divine and human wills. Unknown by us and undiscoverable. Both wills are operative, and can only be reconciled by filial acquiescence. Man has two prerogatives to choose, and to complain. Our complainings rebuked.

I. The nature of man’s contentions with God.

1. Man complains of his lot. The inevitable taken stoically. The inevitable kicked against. The Israelites murmured in the desert. A crook in every lot.

2. Men strive against the commandments of God. God speaks not only by circumstances, but by His Word. Yet men complain. Another law within them. The commandments are not adapted to human life. Religion too theoretical. Not fitted for tried and tempted man. In business, the shop window lies when man admires the truth. A low moral tone induced in society. Slippery ways fashionable. God’s law politely bowed out of the house and the world, and sometimes the Church.

3. Men contend with the promises of God. Too good to be true. Afraid to appropriate them. Men dare not believe.

II. The folly of resisting God and the consequent wisdom of yielding to him.

1. Such strivings do not advance our best spiritual interests. They do not make us happy. Fret and fume hinder growth. Quietness necessary. The tree strikes root where it is.

2. Such contentions impeach the wisdom of God. Religion is practical. God made man. He knows what is in man. His Son became man. Religious men have been practical men.

3. The success of such contentions would be fatal to us. Such strife not directed against power of God. He could crush us. We have liberty of moral action; but prophecy and revelation to warn us. Our joy and duty to fall into the hands of God. “In all thy ways,” etc. “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not to thine own understanding.” God is greater than man. In wisdom, goodness, and love. This greatness is communicated to those who trust in Him. (Samuel Pearson, M. A.)