Daily Digest: Capstone Capsule

“I know that You can do everything, and that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You” – Job 42:2

There is never ambivalence to the COUNSEL of the LORD: “I know that You can do everything, and that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You” (Job 42:2). Here, Job acknowledged God’s Power and that none of His plans can be thwarted. This underscores the certainty of God’s counsel compared to the often-uncertain plans of humanity. The “counsel” or “purpose” of the Lord is God's eternal, wise, and just blueprint for all creation and human history. His counsel is unwavering and will always come to pass. His purposes are steadfast and will always prevail over human plans. His Will is characterized by an unchanging unity of purpose and immutability of design.

In our meditation passage, the divine performance of the counsel of the Lord relates to Job's profound realization and humble recognition of God’s absolute sovereignty and omnipotence. Job understood that God's purposes will be fulfilled regardless of human circumstances or comprehension. Verse 2 is his direct response after God spoke to him out of the whirlwind, highlighting His immense Power and Wisdom through creation. "I know that You can do everything" is an acknowledgement of God's limitless power and omnipotence. Job, who previously questioned God's justice, now humbly submitted to the fact that nothing is beyond God's control or ability to act.

The phrase, "and that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You” – or be thwarted, emphasizes God's sovereignty and the certainty that His divine plan will stand. No human action, no natural disaster, and no spiritual force – such as Satan in the book's opening chapters – can prevent God's counsel and intentions from coming to fruition. No obstacle, like a fortified wall or impassable sea, can hinder God's access to or execution of His Will. Job’s knowledge and conviction of God’s control moved beyond mere hearsay to a firsthand experience: “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You. Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes” (vv.5-6)

In his ignorance, Job had questioned God’s counsel, speculating on matters beyond his comprehension and querying God's methods based on his limited human experience (v.3). The proper responses to God's overwhelming power and purposeful plan are humility and trust. Job repented for his previous words, recognizing his own ignorance and the need to trust in God's perfect timing and wisdom, even when the reasons for suffering were not fully revealed. Ultimately, his submission to God's sovereignty was followed by his restoration.

Job prayed for his friends as directed, and the Lord restored his fortunes, doubling what he had lost, further affirming God's good purposes coming to pass. In essence, God's Power is purposeful, and His sovereign will cannot be challenged or defeated by anyone or anything.