Shhh, did you hear that?

In my readings today I saw how God answers Job and I read Peter’s description of how God produces salvation through faith and perseverance. Job has always fascinated me for several reasons. First, his sheer audacity and boldness in challenging God is amazing. Sure, his circumstances were not so good, and yes, God could have stopped them. Yet, Job was determined to have God hear his complaint.

I know I do that myself, though in my false humility I tend to think that I’m not as arrogant as I perceive Job to be. That lie is obvious in God’s response to Job in chapter 38—“Where were you, Job?” It’s a question that reverberates throughout Scripture. God asks a similar question to Adam and Eve, to Moses, to the prophets (especially Ezekiel), and in many ways to other people.

It is a legitimate question—where were you when God was planning things and making provisions for all the events of your life? Were you on an ash heap, scraping sores and complaining to your “friends?” Or were you hiding in the fig trees, covering up the sin that has been uncovered by your sinful acts? Or were you hiding in a cave, depressed because you were the only child of God left standing for the truth? Where were you, o Job?

God never sleeps, he watches over his creation to provide grace and provision for it every day. While we were nodding off, God was providing. While we caught 20 winks, God made it rain, brought the sun up, set up circumstances for your life so that today his grace would abound to you. God, how foolish of us to think we somehow had better plans than you. We all believe that sometimes, and it is as stupid as it is audacious.

The second thing I like about Job is his humility. Oh, he could be bold in complaint, but when accosted by the truth, he was humble enough to shut up. God shows up and essentially tells Job—“Child, I’m God and you’re not.” God speaks to Job out of a whirlwind, and I wonder how he and his friends felt when it showed up. Were they morbidly curious, frightened, excited, or just downright confused? I think sometimes that I want God to “give me a sign,” to show up and do something amazing. Yet when he appears, often it is in the quiet whisper or in the whirlwind life of everyday activities. And, here is the really odd part, that is the time I tend to miss him.

Yes, I miss it when God whispers to me because too often I am complaining too loudly to listen. Then he comes when life is hectic and I’m too busy to notice. Lord, give us the wisdom of Elijah and Job to sit still when you show up. Teach us to listen in silent adoration as you speak words of life to us. How we need your Spirit to protect our hearts and minds, to guide us in the way everlasting. Father, be the center of our activity today. No matter what ash heap or cave we find ourselves in today, help us to be attentive to your communications and to your presence.

Pay attention today--God may be whispering to you.

He may be shouting.

Listen.

Thanks for reading!