“Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind:  ‘Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?  Gird up your loins like a man, I will question you, and you shall declare to me.  Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding.'” (Job 31:1-4 NRSV)

After Job has exhausted all arguments about why he was suffering such painful things, God finally shows up.  He then asks Job a series of questions about life.  Job, of course, is speechless.  He really does not comprehend much at all.  Yet, at the end of the story he has a new, deeper respect and appreciation for God’s care.

In Psalm 103, King David blesses God because:    The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. (Psalm 103: 8 NRSV).  This explosion of praise probably springs from David’s personal experiences with God.  He cannot fully account for God’s mercy, he can only experience it.

God’s ways are beyond understanding.  In difficult times, we are asked to trust and do our best to praise Him.  In happy times, it is easy to praise Him although we sometimes forget to do so.  In either case we cannot understand God, but we can always praise Him and trust Him.  He is always in control and always merciful and gracious toward his creatures…you and me.