"Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding." -Job 38:4

Job has been suffering—not because he is being punished, but because Satan is trying to prove a point. And he did better than I imagine you or I would do. Here God responds to Job's friends and his questioning of his circumstance.

God asks this defining question for Job—and for us—as we contemplate life and the reasons for certain things: “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?” What candle do you hold to my sovereignty and greatness? What can you add to my massive and ongoing creation? Who are you to question?

This is God putting us in our creative places. He is the One who holds it all, and we are his workmanship, living for his glory. This should be a tremendous comfort to us going through life, knowing that God is in control and not even the Devil can thwart his plans. It also comforts because we know in Christ, everything is working for our good as well.

When we are rightfully in the place of utter submission to this master of the universe, he serves us in love by sacrificing himself to call us his own.

The question is still a good one — where were we when he created all things? — but rather than despair over the answer, we are soothed that we were not there, but that he cared enough for us to make sure we wouldn't miss anything in his good plan from here on out.

God is in control, and he is holding you in Jesus.

This is an excerpt from Depths a daily devotional written by Jonathan Shradar.