Sparks
In the midst of some less than desirable advice, Elihu rebukes Job with these words “Because of the multitude of oppressions people cry out; they call for help because of the arm of the mighty. But none says, ‘Where is God my Maker, who gives songs in the night..'” (Job 35:9-10). Although the trials of Job are legendary, they are not exclusive. Job 5:7 tells us that, “man is born to trouble as the sparks fly upward.” Every man will face his “night”. The question is how will he respond, hence Elihu’s rebuke and challenge.
Night
This week my mother was diagnosed with cancer. Although we do not have all of the test results and do not know how far the cancer has spread, we do know that our world has been “rocked”. In the daylight, we like to deceive ourselves with thoughts of autonomy. Our pride fills us with the foolish notion that we are the captain of our ship and can navigate our course, and then…
Then comes a dose of reality. We are created from dust and to dust we will return. Every illness; every catastrophe; every battle; every loss of a loved one reminds us how impotent we are. The challenge is where do we turn for help? To whom do we look for answers? What is the source of our strength? I am taking Elihu’s advice over that of Job’s wife who told Job to, “Curse God and die” (Job 2:9b).
Songs
In the 77th Psalm, Asaph said, “I cry aloud to God, aloud to God, and he will hear me. In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord..” (vs. 1-2a). In the 6th verse, he says, “Let me remember my song in the night..”
My prayer is that this blog will inspire you to walk with God every day. If you are walking with Him in the daylight, there will be no need to turn to Him in the night. If we make a practice of humbling ourselves every day in the presence of God (Coram Deo), we won’t have so far to fall when “night” comes.
“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” – Micah 6:8