If God took back the breath of life,

then everyone living would die and turn into dust again.

He does not take the side of rulers nor favor the rich over the poor, for he created everyone.

He watches every step we take.

God does not need to set a time for us to go and be judged by him.

To the LORD the nations are nothing, no more than a drop of water; the distant islands are as light as dust.

The nations are nothing at all to him.

It was made by the one who sits on his throne above the earth and beyond the sky; the people below look as tiny as ants. He stretched out the sky like a curtain, like a tent in which to live.

They are like young plants, just set out and barely rooted. When the LORD sends a wind, they dry up and blow away like straw.

So Samuel told him everything; he did not keep anything back. Eli said, "He is the LORD; he will do whatever seems best to him."

He never changes. No one can oppose him or stop him from doing what he wants to do.

When he spoke, the world was created; at his command everything appeared.

But his plans endure forever; his purposes last eternally.

Our God is in heaven; he does whatever he wishes.

He does whatever he wishes in heaven and on earth, in the seas and in the depths below.

The LORD Almighty has sworn an oath: "What I have planned will happen. What I have determined to do will be done.

This is my plan for the world, and my arm is stretched out to punish the nations."

From the beginning I predicted the outcome; long ago I foretold what would happen. I said that my plans would never fail, that I would do everything I intended to do.

I am calling a man to come from the east; he will swoop down like a hawk and accomplish what I have planned. I have spoken, and it will be done.

At that time Jesus said, "Father, Lord of heaven and earth! I thank you because you have shown to the unlearned what you have hidden from the wise and learned.

Yes, Father, this was how you were pleased to have it happen.

They gathered to do everything that you by your power and will had already decided would happen.

All things are done according to God's plan and decision; and God chose us to be his own people in union with Christ because of his own purpose, based on what he had decided from the very beginning.

And so, in honor of the name of Jesus all beings in heaven, on earth, and in the world below will fall on their knees,

and all will openly proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Worship the LORD, all the earth! Honor him, all peoples of the world!

From where he rules, he looks down on all who live on earth.

Hear this, everyone! Listen, all people everywhere,

At night I long for you with all my heart; when you judge the earth and its people, they will all learn what justice is.

God is so wise and powerful; no one can stand up against him.

God's anger is constant. He crushed his enemies who helped Rahab, the sea monster, oppose him.

If God decided to do nothing at all, no one could criticize him. If he hid his face, we would be helpless.

Are you as strong as I am? Can your voice thunder as loud as mine?

Look at those who are proud; pour out your anger and humble them.

I know, LORD, that you are all-powerful; that you can do everything you want.

Human wisdom, brilliance, insight---they are of no help if the LORD is against you.

I am God and always will be. No one can escape from my power; no one can change what I do."

but if it comes from God, you cannot possibly defeat them. You could find yourselves fighting against God!" The Council followed Gamaliel's advice.

"Who are you, Lord?" he asked. "I am Jesus, whom you persecute," the voice said.

It is clear that God gave those Gentiles the same gift that he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ; who was I, then, to try to stop God!"

Or do we want to make the Lord jealous? Do we think that we are stronger than he?

He takes what he wants, and no one can stop him; no one dares ask him, "What are you doing?"

But I tell you, Job, you are wrong. God is greater than any human being.

Why do you accuse God of never answering our complaints?

(SEE 40:1)

Does a clay pot dare argue with its maker, a pot that is like all the others? Does the clay ask the potter what he is doing? Does the pot complain that its maker has no skill?

The LORD, the holy God of Israel, the one who shapes the future, says: "You have no right to question me about my children or to tell me what I ought to do!

But one of you will say to me, "If this is so, how can God find fault with anyone? Who can resist God's will?"

But who are you, my friend, to talk back to God? A clay pot does not ask the man who made it, "Why did you make me like this?"

How great are God's riches! How deep are his wisdom and knowledge! Who can explain his decisions? Who can understand his ways?

Who has ever given him anything, so that he had to pay it back?"

As the scripture says, "Who knows the mind of the Lord? Who is able to give him advice?" We, however, have the mind of Christ.