How should Job 21:15 influence our daily worship and acknowledgment of God's sovereignty? Setting the Scene “ ‘Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him, and what would we gain if we pray to Him?’ ” (Job 21:15) Job quotes the arrogant complaint of those who prosper without honoring God. Their words expose a heart that evaluates worship by profit rather than by truth. Why This Matters for Us • It is possible—even for sincere believers—to drift into the same mindset: judging God’s worth by immediate benefit. • Job 21:15 warns us to worship because He is Lord, not because He pays dividends on demand. Anchoring Our Worship in God’s Sovereignty • God is Creator and Owner of all. “It is He who made us, and we are His” (Psalm 100:3). • His right to be worshiped does not hinge on our circumstances. See Romans 9:20-21. • Prayer is relationship, not a bargaining chip (Philippians 4:6-7). Daily Practices that Push Back Against a “What’s-in-it-for-me?” Faith 1. Begin each morning by acknowledging who God is before listing any requests. 2. Read or recite sovereignty-focused passages—Psalm 95:3-7; Revelation 4:11. 3. Incorporate thanksgiving for attributes, not just blessings: His holiness, justice, mercy. 4. When blessings come, credit Him openly (James 1:17). 5. When answers delay, reaffirm trust aloud (Habakkuk 3:17-19). 6. Close the day with a brief review: Where did I see God’s hand? Where did I question His worth? Guarding Against Transactional Thinking • Notice heart-level negotiations: “If You do X, I’ll do Y.” Repent quickly. • Replace grievance with gratitude lists—this trains the soul to respond in worship. • Surround yourself with hymns and songs that exalt God for who He is (Colossians 3:16). Encouragement from the Wider Witness of Scripture • Psalm 73 charts the journey from envy of the wicked to renewed awe of God’s rule. • Luke 17:10 reminds servants, “We have done our duty.” Service is privilege enough. • 1 Corinthians 15:58 guarantees that labor in the Lord “is not in vain,” even when results are unseen. Living the Lesson Job 21:15 confronts a self-centered faith; let it realign our hearts. Each act of worship, each whispered prayer, becomes a declaration: God is worthy—period. |
    |