To grasp the weight of Job 41:11, we must look at the larger picture—specifically, chapters 38 through 42. Some scholars believe Job is the oldest book in the Bible, which, if true, underscores a timeless struggle: Why do bad things happen to good people? And just as ancient is the mistaken assumption that suffering must be punishment for wrongdoing.

The first 37 chapters detail Job’s misfortunes and his debates with so-called friends who insist he must have sinned to deserve such hardship. Job, however, maintains his innocence. He wrestles with the idea that God seems unjust, pleads for an answer, and longs for an audience with God. He believes that if God would only listen, He would clear Job’s name. Yet he also grapples with a deeper issue—how can a just God allow the world to operate in ways that make no sense to him?

As the saying goes: Be careful what you wish for. Job gets his audience with God, and what follows in chapters 38 through 41 is not an explanation but a storm of questions that put Job in his place. God challenges him: “Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him?” (Job 40:2). Job quickly realizes he’s in over his head: “I spoke once, but I have no answer—twice, but I will say no more.” (Job 40:5). Yet God isn’t done. In chapters 40 and 41, He drives home Job’s smallness in the grand scheme of creation. And in Job 41:11, God makes it crystal clear: Everything belongs to me.

Humans can no more grasp God’s ways than a dog can comprehend human reasoning.

And yet, when God turns to Job’s friends, He rebukes them—not Job. Their rigid belief that suffering equals punishment misrepresents God. “I am angry with you and your two friends because you have not spoken the truth about me, as my servant Job has” (Job 42:7). Job’s raw honesty and humility please God more than their false certainty.

Father God, we may never understand you fully, but we can love you and trust in your love for us. Keep our hearts open, and protect us from the kind of certainty that leads to misunderstanding you. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

This devotional was written and read by Donn King.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

“And they were calling to one another, holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty- the whole earth is full of his glory.”

This passage details Isaiah’s vision of God’s heavenly throne room where angelic beings declare that the whole earth is full of his glory. This means God is present in everything on earth. His glory is reflected in the seasons, the ocean’s waves, skies of blue and gray, the sounds of children playing and even in quiet moments of reflection.

In our fast paced lives we often overlook God’s magnificent glory in things around us. Isaiah’s vision reminds us to pause and appreciate God’s creation and love. Whether it is the wonders of nature, the birth of a baby or the sound of birds in the trees, God’s creation and ever present glory permeates the world around us.

This is most apparent to me when I visit the Smokey Mountains near my home. Isaiah’s vision of heaven is grand and awe-inspiring. Angelic beings circle the throne of God, calling out His holiness with powerful voices. Yet, the same glory that fills heaven also saturates the quiet beauty of earth. In the stillness of the mountains, away from life’s noise, we can often sense God’s presence most clearly. The towering peaks, the flowing streams, and the vast skies seem to echo the seraphim’s song: “holy, holy, holy, is the Lord Almighty- the whole earth is full of his glory.”

Isaiah 6:3 challenges us to shift our perspective—to see beyond the surface and recognize that the world is a reflection of God’s creative power and love. Knowing that the earth is filled with God’s glory calls us to live lives that honor Him—showing kindness, seeking justice, and extending grace to others.

God’s holiness isn’t distant—it’s near, surrounding us and calling us to notice, to worship, and to live lives that honor His glory. Today, slow down, look around, and embrace the beauty of a world filled with His presence.

Lord Almighty, Your holiness echoes through the heavens and across the earth. In the peacefulness of the mountains, I sense the depth of Your glory and the serenity of Your presence. Quiet my heart so that I can hear Your voice and see Your beauty in all creation. Help me to live in constant awe of who You are. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

This devotion was written by Gary Hensley and read by Amy Large.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Mark 4: 30 to 32

A tiny seed growing to great stature! That is what we can all be! Through our actions we can be the wind that gusts upon the calm waters of the pond, stirring up a ripple effect for Christian good in our community.

The editorial notations in my Bible indicate that the book of Mark is one of action! Forty two times the Greek word for hurry up is used across Mark. This gospel is imploring us to hurry up! Make a difference for Jesus!

So let’s follow Mark’s example and let’s hurry up and grow our own faith. Let’s hurry up and get out there in the world and make a difference modeling the love that God has for us.

There are so many things that can grow as the mustard seed does. This podcast originated as an idea, a discussion among three Christians that I know of, and they hurried up and got busy!

In my own experience at the food pantry, local middle schoolers hurried up and collected bags and bags of canned goods that were donated. Well, all those cans upon arrival at the pantry had to be organized into flats and moved onto the shelves. We hurried up and got busy!

For some reason those students were focused on peas! With their own creativity, I am told that they created a “leaning tower of Peasahhh”! They hurried up and got busy, and we had plenty of peas on flats, on shelves to share with those in need, to share God’s love, as those students and their teachers did!

Let us pray:

Heavenly Father, give us the energy and convection to hurry up as Mark urges us to model our lives after Jesus! Amen.

This devotion was written and read by Sam Barto.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.