Job's life has been visited with utter misfortune-the loss of his possessions, the death of his children, the pain of physical illness and the torment of spiritual confusion. His friends attempt to explain the reasons for such severe suffering. Still, Job wonders why these terrible things have happened to him.

Today we hear God's response. It is a speech that recalls the great distance between Job's humanity and the awesome power of God. It is God, and God alone, who is able to walk the depths of the sea, see the entire breadth of the earth, and give light to each new day. God is in control. Job now realizes this and is silent.

In the end, God restores all Job's possessions, blesses him with more children, and gives him 140 years of life. There seems to be a happy ending. However, the story raises many points for us to ponder. When life seems unfairly harsh, is there a respectful way to express pain, confusion and even anger to the creator of the universe? Do I feel that God responds to the suffering in my life?

Is it possible that God's ultimate response to human suffering is not a speech, but the life, suffering, death and resurrection of His Son?