Mighty In Understanding
I will be honest that I was not expecting to find this verse this morning as I searched for scripture about how God is mighty. I have read Job, but I cannot say I remembered this verse. Job 36:5 (NASB2020) says, “Behold, God is mighty but does not reject anyone; He is mighty in strength of understanding.”
Job is a rich, complex, and ancient book of the Bible that can be hard to wrap our minds around, yet some of the most profound principles of the character of God are on display through the words of Job.
Job 36:5 gives us another tool in our belt to describe who God is to us. When we think about someone being mighty, we think of other words like ruthless, powerful, or dominant. From a human perspective, might is about the power we have over others. A mighty warrior has the physical power to overcome all other foes and therefore can lead and take because of the fear they project in others.
Different Kinds of Strength
In many ways, we view greatness as a status we achieve where we can pick and choose who we want to be with and who we want to leave. The weak are dependent on those who will stick with them, but the strong get a wider pick of their relationships and opportunities.
Not so with God! He is the strongest and mightiest one, yet he does not use that strength as an excuse to reject one and favor the other. Remember that Romans 2:11 (NIV) says, “For God does not show favoritism.” Philippians 2:6 (ESV) shows us that Jesus did not consider his heavenly identity to be something he should take advantage of. He demonstrated humility when he came in the flesh and gave his life on the cross.
Letting This Truth Abide
What is the point? God is undeniably strong and mighty. He is the creator God Most High, and there is no equal. Should all of creation try to conquer him, they would fail. Yet He is meek. He does not reject us, condemn us, or unjustly judge us. He loves us.
God is mighty in strength of understanding.
That means that in our suffering, he understands. In our confusion, he understands! In our rejoicing and success, he understands. He is a God who knows.
I want to encourage you to memorize the second half of this verse. Let the truth that He is mighty in strength of understanding wash over you and abide in your heart today.
