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In Order. Humbly Listening

January 13, 2017. Job 35-37.

 

Elihu, the young man who finishes up the dialogues with Job before God speaks, continues in chapter 35-37 with his view of the wonderful attributes of God.  This is a continuation of the thoughts from yesterday; in the midst of our suffering we must focus on the power and goodness of God.  The unfortunate thing about Elihu’s speech, however, is that he doesn’t correctly portray Job’s words or thoughts.  Nevertheless, he gives a beautiful speech about the powerful attributes of God and reminds us to listen!

Job 36:22-26

“God is exalted in his power. Who is a teacher like him? Who has prescribed his ways for him,

 or said to him, ‘You have done wrong’?  Remember to extol his work, which people have praised in song.  All humanity has seen it; mortals gaze on it from afar.

How great is God—beyond our understanding!  The number of his years is past finding out.

There is none like God.  Sometimes we mistake God for just another powerful leader.  He is not.  He is God and there is none other like Him.  Elihu is reminding Job and his friends that God is infinite and that His greatness is beyond our comprehension as mere finite mortals.  Truthfully, the more we come to know God, the more we find that there is still more to know.  That is a humbling experience.  Knowing God and remembering His greatness should lead us to humility and readiness to respond to His every command.  Because, not only is He great, He is good and there is nothing He asks of us or allows into our lives that is not for our benefit.

Job 37:2-5

Listen! Listen to the roar of his voice, to the rumbling that comes from his mouth.

He unleashes his lightning beneath the whole heaven and sends it to the ends of the earth.

After that comes the sound of his roar; he thunders with his majestic voice.

When his voice resounds,  he holds nothing back.

God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding.

As I read these passages and write these words, there is a storm raging outside my window.  As Elihu was speaking to Job in this passage, I hear him speaking to me as well.  “Listen!  Listen to the roar of His voice.”  “God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways.”

I am reminded through today’s passage that the greatest thing I can do in the midst of trials is to stop and listen to God.  Rather than asking why and hurrying a solution, I need to just listen humbly and respond not with more questions, but with trust in His wisdom.  How much time do we actually spend listening when we pray and yet….. isn’t that the most important part?  The God of the universe wants to speak to me, but perhaps I’m too busy speaking to Him about things I don’t understand.

Previous Devotional - January 12

Kristi Sberna

Kristi Sberna. Christ follower, wife to Sal Sberna, mother of two children. She has a degree in Bible from Criswell College in Dallas, Tx. Contributing author for the Women's Study Bible....more