I know that you can do all things,and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
Job 42:2
Everyone knows about Job and his problems. There’s no question, Job had it tough and on top of losing wealth, wife, children, family, and health, Job had a bunch of friends who thought they knew just what Job needed and they eagerly shared their bits of wisdom.
No wonder Job couldn’t get out of the depression pit! While he sat wasting away, well meaning friends fed him with words giving him the vastness of their finite knowledge. Amidst the advice, Job's spirit begins to break down and wonders Does not he see my ways and number all my steps? In other words, hasn’t God been paying attention to the good life I’ve been living?
And so, after several more "friendly" religious debates and moral lectures God breaks in with, Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth...and He keeps going! (read Job 39-41) God has heard enough.
"Friendly" wisdom can go a long way. The trip-up is that sometimes we glom onto this wisdom first. While well meaning, it’s sometimes "friendly" wisdom that can drown out the words of the One who laid the foundations of the earth.
Here’s a bit of "friendly" advice! When you find yourself with Job, questioning the nature of things, move away for awhile from “friendly” chatter and listen. The One who laid the foundation of the earth will speak words of assurance; promising to take care of everything, allowing nothing to stand in the way of His plans for you.
Jesus, thank you for friends who are there
when I need them. But help me to listen first
to Your wisdom because You are the One
who knows the plans You have for me.
AMEN.
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