After all Job has been through, the Lord finally speaks. And he speaks “out of the storm”.

For any of us who are hurting, who are experiencing loss or confusion or pain, we can relate to the story of Job. We can relate to unhelpful solutions from well-meaning friends trying to solve our problem. We can relate to uncertainty and angst.

The hope of pain is that if we can relate to Job’s circumstances and his suffering, perhaps we can relate to his hope.

In the midst of the storm, the Lord speaks. He calls down to us. Even if it produces conviction. Even if it is rhetorical. Even if it adds to the confusion. Even in the midst of all these things, there is comfort in the Lord’s voice. Truth in the turmoil. Stability in the storm.

Like an outstanding coach that is hardest on his best player, God uses difficulty to call Job to a higher place. This interaction with God does not make Job happy, or comfortable. This interaction with God causes Job to see God as he has never seen him before. Through immense difficulty, a door opens to the greatest of treasures.

Job-like circumstances show up every day. We are threatened with pain and apathy and falsity. But in the midst of the storm, the Lord speaks.

“Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm. He said: ‘Who is this that obscures my plans with words without knowledge? Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me.’”
– Job 38:1-3