One source of genuine wisdom

And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said: “I am young in years, and you are aged; therefore I was timid and afraid to declare my opinion to you. I said, ‘Let days speak, and many years teach wisdom.’ But it is the spirit in man, the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand. It is not the old who are wise, nor the aged who understand what is right. Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me; let me also declare my opinion.’ (Job 32:6–10)

While all of Job’s comforters say true things, most of it is partial and misses what is actually happening to this man. He is a test subject in the spiritual realm and they cannot see what is going on. This does not mean all they say is nonsense, only that their observations and opinions do not apply to Job’s situation.

At the same time, I’m thinking two things. My dad used to say, “There is no fool like an old fool” with several people in our community to prove his point. I also thought of  the wise words from youth. One example: Christmas shopping was a hassle and the store full of rushing shoppers. At the till I complained of all the hurrying and my young daughter said, “But mom, we don’t have to hurry on the inside.”

Kids can be wise. Knowing the Word of God is not just for the mature. However, at that all wisdom comes from God. Besides, the older I get, the more I realize how much I do not know. As for Elihu, he went on:

“Therefore, hear me, you men of understanding: far be it from God that he should do wickedness, and from the Almighty that he should do wrong. For according to the work of a man he will repay him, and according to his ways he will make it befall him. Of a truth, God will not do wickedly, and the Almighty will not pervert justice. Who gave him charge over the earth, and who laid on him the whole world? If he should set his heart to it and gather to himself his spirit and his breath, all flesh would perish together, and man would return to dust. (Job 34:10–15)

He may not have understood the what and why of Job’s situation, but he did know that God knew, and that God was not being evil or doing the wrong thing. Whatever was happening, the Lord was righteous and had good in mind for this man.

The Almighty—we cannot find him; he is great in power; justice and abundant righteousness he will not violate. Therefore men fear him; he does not regard any who are wise in their own conceit.” (Job 37:23–24)

In the last few months, I’ve realized how often I assume - assuming that other people are thinking like I think, or assuming that we are on the same page regarding our interpretations of life events. This is motivating me to listen more, ask questions, seek to understand. Even though Job tried, his friends had their assumptions and his explanations fell on deaf ears. At the same time, this narrative reveals my flaws in thinking I know why others suffer. 

Lord Jesus, sometimes You help me really see what is going on when suffering happens, yet most of the time, I miss it. Help me avoid assuming and giving my opinion when I need to listen more (two ears) and shut up (one mouth).

God’s Job Description

 

In science fiction, worlds collide, fall apart and fly off into space. In real life, the universe is not totally predictable, but creation holds together. Even the atoms that make up elements are held together by electromagnetic and nuclear forces. Some might call this the laws of nature, but the Word of God reveals the reality behind these bonds:

He (Jesus) is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. (Hebrews 1:3)

Christ holds together all creation by His almighty power and if He did not, even sci-fi could not describe the chaos. As today’s devotional says, we would go out of existence, our atoms scattering throughout the galaxy.

My very life depends on the constancy of physical laws, laws created and upheld by the power of Jesus Christ, the Word of God. We get a glimpse of the importance of this when earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis and the like disrupt what we call normal conditions and have heart-breaking results to human life. Is this God’s was of showing us the importance of verses like this: “And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together”? (Colossians 1:17)

Imagine life without the laws of gravity. Those who enter outer space are trained to deal with all things floating about, bouncing off walls and each other. Without their special suits and equipment, they would immediately perish. If this happened here on earth, our food would disintegrate and we would drift into space or be overwhelmed by the instability of seas and rocks and all other things.

Yet the universe is not falling apart or unbalanced. The One who created it sustains it, keeps all movements in control. He is not the God that some think created the world and started it working then sits back with folded arms and watches it (or not). Instead, the universe is orderly, reliable, not erratic and unpredictable. While we don’t always have an explanation for some things, we are assured that Jesus Christ governs the universe.

If we look in faith and with open hearts, we can see His wisdom and power. It delights me to read that “God said” — for God spoke, and it happened. The following words also delight my heart:

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy. Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat. (Psalm 19:1–6)

It follows that since God rules the sun and all the universe, I can trust Him with all the issues of my life. His power is sufficient to both start and finish my walk with Him. “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in me will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6, personalized) That holds true for all sinners that He calls to Himself. No one will fly off into unbelief when Jesus Christ is holding on to them.

How amazing that a God who is occupied with such a huge job description also cares about sparrows and about every human life. He knows the number of hairs on our heads and prays for His people continually. Jesus is worthy to receive all honor.

PRAY: Jesus, You are also worthy of my trust, no matter what is going on. All my life You have been faithful, treating me with care and kindness, proving Your power but also Your great love. Eternity with You will be seeing the wonder of You — and enjoying You forever and ever.

PONDER: Job said, “The Almighty — we cannot find him; he is great in power; justice and abundant righteousness he will not violate. Therefore, men fear him; he does not regard any who are wise in their own conceit.” (Job 37:23–24) Read Job 38–39 and see how the Lord responds to Job’s words by sharing His job description!

 

 

Pray to avoid temptation and sin

Exodus 19; Job 37; Luke 22; 2 Corinthians 7

At first the two passages that startled me this morning were not related, but after reading all of the above, the Lord showed me what they have in common — some very good counsel.

The first is in Job. Young Elihu is still telling Job that if he would abandon his pride then God would listen to him. He says:

The Almighty—we cannot find him; he is great in power; justice and abundant righteousness he will not violate. Therefore men fear him; he does not regard any who are wise in their own conceit.” (Job 37:23–24)

In the margin of my Bible, I had a small reference to this verse, also a statement by Elihu:

I will get my knowledge from afar and ascribe righteousness to my Maker. For truly my words are not false; one who is perfect in knowledge is with you. (Job 36:3–4)

If the interpretation is correct, this young man is the pot calling the kettle black. He claims to be perfect in knowledge and while some commentators think he speaks of God, he seems to be speaking about himself. His speeches indicate his arrogance yet he accuses Job of having the same problem!

Then I read this familiar passage in Luke. Jesus is with His disciples just before He will be arrested. He knows what is going to happen and is in agony:

And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.” (Luke 22:39–46)

Twice He tells His disciples to pray so they will not be tempted to sin. In this context, sin is refusing to accept the will of God, first by not praying and second by saying NO to His will.

Oh, I get it. Elihu as well as the other three ‘friends’ of Job, as far as I remember, never once talked to God in their speeches. They accused Job but no record shows that they sought the will of God concerning him. However, Job talks back to them yet as he does, his words to them are intermingled with his words to God, seeking God’s input. Even though he was not hearing answers and becoming increasingly frustrated, Job was praying.

In my experience, praying and sinning are incompatible partners particularly if the prayer is full of worship. From the words of God to Job, worship may have been missing more often than in his prayers and for that he was corrected, yet he was praying and seeking answers from God. This is preferable to no prayer and pointing fingers like his ‘friends’ were doing.

APPLY: The Bible tells me to pray without ceasing. According to Jesus, this is a great way to avoid temptation. While Satan certainly tries to interrupt my conversations with God or stop them altogether, prayer protects me from sin. As in Job’s situation, it protects me especially from pointing my finger at what I perceive is the sin of someone else. As the saying goes, when I do that, three fingers are pointing back at me — usually because I am guilty of the same thing. If I’m praying honestly with God, that accusation will not be pridefully directed to others but humbly realized and put where it belongs.