Trusting the Strength of God: A Call to Faith and Surrender
"Wilt thou trust him, because his strength is great? or wilt thou leave thy labour to him?" - Job 39:11

In the book of Job, a man renowned for his faith, God poses thought-provoking questions that reveal not only His vast power but the invitation to trust Him amidst our toil and uncertainties. In Job 39:11, it reads: "Wilt thou trust him, because his strength is great? or wilt thou leave thy labour to him?" This verse, nestled within a narrative of profound suffering and divine sovereignty, serves as an unwavering reminder of God's capacity to shoulder our burdens and the choice we have to either rely on our strengths or lean on His infinite power.
**Understanding the Context:**
When we delve into the context of this passage, we see Job enduring unimaginable trials—loss of family, wealth, and health. His friends surround him, attempting to reason through his suffering, but it is God who ultimately speaks, challenging Job to consider His creation and the mysteries woven into the fabric of the universe. God points to the majesty of the wild creatures, the strength of the horse, and the flight of the eagle as testimony to His might. In this setting, the questions posed in our verse strike at the heart of human struggle: Can we, in our frailty, trust in a God whose strength is unfathomable, or do we stubbornly cling to our own efforts?
**A Question of Trust:**
The first part of the verse asks, "Wilt thou trust him, because his strength is great?" Trust is often a daunting proposition. We live in a culture that values self-reliance and independence. However, true faith is countercultural; it asks us to lean not on our own understanding but to surrender our fears, doubts, and plans to the One who knows all. Trusting God is not simply about believing that He can; it is about entrusting our lives, with all their complications, to Him. It involves acknowledging that His strength is not just a conceptual idea but a powerful reality capable of overcoming every challenge we face.
Consider the areas in your life where you find it hardest to trust God. Is it your job? Relationships? Health? Each aspect of life can weigh heavily upon us. God’s invitation is clear: relinquish your struggle and allow His strength to fill the gaps where your abilities fall short. His promise is that in our weakness, His power is made perfect (2 Corinthians 12:9).
**Letting Him Lead:**
The latter part of the verse nudges us toward a practical application: "or wilt thou leave thy labour to him?" This not only involves a mental ascent to entrust our challenges to God but also an active participation in yielding our ambitions and labors to Him. It beckons us to recognize that while we have our roles to play, true liberation comes when we acknowledge that our efforts alone are insufficient, and only in Him can we find true success.
Jesus beckons us in Matthew 11:28-30 to come to Him, offering rest for our weary souls. Laboring under the weight of our burdens doesn’t yield the fruits we desire; rather, it can leave us exhausted and disillusioned. Trusting Him to lead our paths means bowing our will and accepting His leading, often relinquishing our preconceived notions of how things should unfold.
**A Journey of Faith:**
Faith is a journey, often fraught with uncertainty. It is in this journey that our relationship with God deepens. Recognizing His strength calls us into a closer walk with Him, transforming our struggles into testimonies of His faithfulness. As we learn to trust Him with our labor, we are reminded of Psalm 127:1—"Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it."
In conclusion, Job 39:11 compels us to assess the posture of our hearts. Choose today to trust in God's great strength and to leave your labors in His capable hands. His power is not only able but also willing to guide your efforts toward a greater purpose than you could ever achieve on your own. In surrender, there is peace, and in trusting, you will find the strength you truly need.
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Job 39:11 Artwork
Job 39:11 - "Wilt thou trust him, because his strength is great? or wilt thou leave thy labour to him?"
"Wilt thou trust him, because his strength is great? or wilt thou leave thy labour to him?" - Job 39:11
Job 39:13-25
Job 39:9 - "Will the unicorn be willing to serve thee, or abide by thy crib?"
Job 39:23 - "The quiver rattleth against him, the glittering spear and the shield."
Job 39:14 - "Which leaveth her eggs in the earth, and warmeth them in dust,"
Ezekiel 39:11
Ezekiel 39:11
Job 38:39 - "Wilt thou hunt the prey for the lion? or fill the appetite of the young lions,"
Job 39:7 - "He scorneth the multitude of the city, neither regardeth he the crying of the driver."
Job 39:3 - "They bow themselves, they bring forth their young ones, they cast out their sorrows."
Job 39:28 - "She dwelleth and abideth on the rock, upon the crag of the rock, and the strong place."
Job 39:24 - "He swalloweth the ground with fierceness and rage: neither believeth he that it is the sound of the trumpet."
Job 39:8 - "The range of the mountains is his pasture, and he searcheth after every green thing."
Job 39:13 - "Gavest thou the goodly wings unto the peacocks? or wings and feathers unto the ostrich?"
Job 39:15 - "And forgetteth that the foot may crush them, or that the wild beast may break them."
Job 39:20 - "Canst thou make him afraid as a grasshopper? the glory of his nostrils is terrible."
Job 39:27 - "Doth the eagle mount up at thy command, and make her nest on high?"
Job 39:26 - "Doth the hawk fly by thy wisdom, and stretch her wings toward the south?"
Job 39:22 - "He mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted; neither turneth he back from the sword."
Job 39:6 - "Whose house I have made the wilderness, and the barren land his dwellings."
Job 39:29 - "From thence she seeketh the prey, and her eyes behold afar off."
Job 39:19-25 – "Do you give the horse its strength or clothe its neck with a flowing mane?"
Job 39:2 - "Canst thou number the months that they fulfil? or knowest thou the time when they bring forth?"
Job 39:19 - "Hast thou given the horse strength? hast thou clothed his neck with thunder?"
Job 39:21 - "He paweth in the valley, and rejoiceth in his strength: he goeth on to meet the armed men."
Job 39:17 - "Because God hath deprived her of wisdom, neither hath he imparted to her understanding."
Job 39:10 - "Canst thou bind the unicorn with his band in the furrow? or will he harrow the valleys after thee?"
Job 39:12 - "Wilt thou believe him, that he will bring home thy seed, and gather it into thy barn?"
Job 39:18 - "What time she lifteth up herself on high, she scorneth the horse and his rider."