January 27, 2016

“For God does speak – now one way, now another – though man may not perceive it.” (Job 33:14)

Now I spent the last devotion talking about how we need to listen as we read the word of G-d – how we need to use our eyes, our brains and our ears in this process. Yes, G-d does speak to us in many and various ways. But, you may be thinking that G-d has not spoken to you for some time, if ever. There are people in the bible who have felt the same way – that G-d was not speaking to them when they needed G-d most.

Let’s take a quick look at our friend Job. Job’s three friends – Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar – had done their best to comfort Job, but their words had been full of anger and accusation. Elihu comes along to remind Job of the many ways that G-d speaks to his people: “So why do you challenge God to answer you? God speaks in different ways, and we don’t always recognize his voice. Sometimes in the night, he uses terrifying dreams to give us warnings.” (Job 33:13-19). In reality, Job was only complaining about G-d’s silence in his present circumstances. In the moment of his calamity, he thinks G-d has forgotten or forsaken him – but, as many of us have come to understand, although we may not hear G-d for a time, it does not mean that G-d is far away from us.

If you are hearing only the silence of G-d, perhaps you need to look for G-d’s presence and listen for G-d’s words with more awareness. Someone may be an Elihu for you. When you know your friend feels abandoned by G-d, you may be an Elihu to him or her. Your words of comfort can remind anyone of G-d’s promises and presence in the Bible — and in their life.

Pastor Dave