The Book of Job is a series of futile attempts at self-justification. Job, and the friends who come to be with him, all make attempts at explaining what has happened and why. None of their answers satisfy. All are lacking - in one way or another. Near the end of the book Elihu speaks.
Elihu has been present during the earlier discourses, but he has held his tongue. He says, "I am young in years, and you are aged; therefore I was timid and afraid to declare my opinion to you." Out of respect for his elders, he has not spoken.
As one who is gaining a few years, I appreciate that attitude. There must be some benefit to living long enough to see the coming and going of many differing upheavals and crisis.
But it is not the passage of time which brings wisdom, as Elihu points out. "It is the spirit in a person. the breath of the Almighty, that makes a person understand."
Those WWJD bracelets have gone out of style. I never really wore one, but I remember thinking that if I had one I might be reminded, each time I prepared to act, to take time to think as God would think, hopefully encouraging me to act as Christ would act.
Before I speak, I should work my way through the same sort of reminder questions. What would be God's word, in this situation. Are the words I am about to speak words which make God more present? Or, are they satisfying my selfish desires or wishes?
God's spirit is within us. That spirit guide us into all understanding. Allowing that spirit to flow forth, guiding the words of our mouths, will go a long way in making our words words of wisdom and understanding.
Pastor Chris
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