Job 41

Who can stand

_{No one is so fierce that he would dare stir him up. Who then is able to stand against Me? ~ Job 41:10}

This verse stops me in my tracks every time I read it. It’s a reminder that no matter how powerful the enemy seems, no matter how strong the opposition looks, nothing compares to the might and majesty of our God. Job 41 describes the Leviathan, a creature so fearsome, no man dares to challenge it. Yet God uses this terrifying beast to highlight a powerful truth: If no one can stand against a created creature, who could ever stand against the One who created it?

I remember once in my life when I felt like I was wrestling something too big to overcome. Waves of fear, confusion, and stress rolled over me, and I couldn’t stop worrying about it.  I felt small. I didn’t even know how to pray about it.  It felt like I was standing before a beast I couldn’t fight. But one morning during my quiet time with the Lord, I read this chapter in Job. Verse 10 rang out like a bell: “Who then is able to stand against Me?” It wasn’t just a question, it was an invitation to let go. He was reminding me, This battle is Mine. I didn’t need to overpower the storm. I only needed to trust the One who spoke the sea into existence.  I turned over the anxiety I was feeling and almost instantly, I felt His peace as He calmed the raging storm within. 

Maybe you are up against something today that seems to big to get around?  Maybe you are the one that is feeling the pressure of a weight too heavy to lift. If so, be encouraged by this scripture and trust the One who made it all.  Take courage from this passage and remember the God who formed Leviathan holds you firmly in His hand. His power far outweighs anything you will face, and He stands ready to calm the winds around you as you trust Him every step of the way.

Here are some practical ways you can hold onto this truth and start walking in peace today:

1. Acknowledge God’s unmatched power.
When the problem looks too big, speak this truth out loud: “Nothing stands against my God.” You may not feel strong, but you serve the One who cannot be shaken.

2. Stop trying to fight spiritual battles in your own strength.
Are you exhausted from trying to fix everything on your own? Step back. Take the pressure off yourself. Pray, “God, I surrender this to You. I trust Your power more than my plans.”

3. Meditate on God’s majesty.
Reread Job 41 slowly. Let it build your view of God. You don’t have to understand everything, but you can be sure of this: The One who rules over Leviathan holds you close.

4. Remember who fights for you.
God doesn’t ask you to face the Leviathan, He simply asks you to stand firm in Him. Keep your eyes on the One who is more than able.

Today, I want to encourage you to stop shrinking back in fear of what looks overwhelming and start standing in awe of the One who is over it all. There is no situation, no enemy, no system, no storm, and no power that can stand against your God. When you’re tempted to wrestle or worry, stop and remember: “Who then is able to stand against Me?” Not one.

Today’s Scripture Reading: Job 41

1 “Can you draw out Leviathan with a hook, or snare his tongue with a line which you lower?

2 Can you put a reed through his nose, or pierce his jaw with a hook?

3 Will he make many supplications to you? Will he speak softly to you?

4 Will he make a covenant with you? Will you take him as a servant forever?

5 Will you play with him as with a bird, or will you leash him for your maidens?

6 Will your companions make a banquet of him? Will they apportion him among the merchants?

7 Can you fill his skin with harpoons, or his head with fishing spears?

8 Lay your hand on him; Remember the battle—never do it again!

9 Indeed, any hope of overcoming him is false; Shall one not be overwhelmed at the sight of him?

10 No one is so fierce that he would dare stir him up. Who then is able to stand against Me?

11 Who has preceded Me, that I should pay him? Everything under heaven is Mine.

12 “I will not conceal his limbs, his mighty power, or his graceful proportions.

13 Who can remove his outer coat? Who can approach him with a double bridle?

14 Who can open the doors of his face, with his terrible teeth all around?

15 His rows of scales are his pride, shut up tightly as with a seal;

16 One is so near another that no air can come between them;

17 They are joined one to another, they stick together and cannot be parted.

18 His sneezing’s flash forth light, and his eyes are like the eyelids of the morning.

19 Out of his mouth go burning lights; Sparks of fire shoot out.

20 Smoke goes out of his nostrils, as from a boiling pot and burning rushes.

21 His breath kindles coals, and a flame goes out of his mouth.

22 Strength dwells in his neck, and sorrow dances before him.

23 The folds of his flesh are joined together; They are firm on him and cannot be moved.

24 His heart is as hard as stone, even as hard as the lower millstone.

25 When he raises himself up, the mighty are afraid; Because of his crashing’s they are beside themselves.

26 Though the sword reaches him, it cannot avail; Nor does spear, dart, or javelin.

27 He regards iron as straw, and bronze as rotten wood.

28 The arrow cannot make him flee; Slingstones become like stubble to him.

29 Darts are regarded as straw; He laughs at the threat of javelins.

30 His undersides are like sharp potsherds; He spreads pointed marks in the mire.

31 He makes the deep boil like a pot; He makes the sea like a pot of ointment.

32 He leaves a shining wake behind him; One would think the deep had white hair.

33 On earth there is nothing like him, Which is made without fear.

34 He beholds every high thing; He is king over all the children of pride.”

Journal:

• What situation in your life feels like a “Leviathan” that is something too big to handle?
• Write it down, then under it, write God’s question: “Who then is able to stand against Me?”
• Spend a few moments inviting His strength into that very place.