"Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:16 (ESV)
When we find ourselves drifting away from God in ways such as neglecting the reading of His Word, running on prayerlessly and avoiding fellowship with other believers, we turn cold and start to talk negatively -- blaming all and sundry for our predicament.
Maybe, just maybe, you can identify yourself with Job who had been buffeted by the adversary of our faith. After Job had justified himself and his three friends did not contradict him, Elihu, who was much junior to them, respectfully corrected Job, spoke well of God and condemned self-righteousness (Job 32 to 37).
Consider, the following highlight from Elihu's discourse:
"Look, in this you are not righteous. I will answer you, for God is greater than man. Why do you contend with Him? For He does not give an accounting of any of His words. For God may speak in one way, or in another, yet man does not perceive it. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls upon men, while slumbering on their beds, then He opens the ears of men, and seals their instruction. In order to turn man from his deed, and conceal pride from man, He keeps back his soul from the Pit, And his life from perishing by the sword." Job 33:12 - 18 (NKJV)
Interestingly, when Elihu had ended his speech, the LORD answered Job's questioning by directing His questions to him, in return, starting with, "Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements? Surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? To what were its foundations fastened? Or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? Or who shut in the sea with doors, when it burst forth and issued from the womb;when I made the clouds its garment, and thick darkness its swaddling band; when I fixed My limit for it, and set bars and doors; when I said, 'This far you may come, but no farther, and here your proud waves must stop!’" Job 38:4-11 (NKJV)
Then came, Job's confession and subsequent restoration. "“I know that You can do everything, and that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You. You asked, ‘Who is this who hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. Listen, please, and let me speak; You said, ‘I will question you, and you shall answer Me.’ “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You. Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”" Job 42:2-6 (NKJV)
Maybe you feel like Asaph who had been waxing lyrical of the supposed prosperity of the wicked and unrighteousness while bemoaning his vain endeavour to keep walking in God's way. But, when he entered God's sanctuary, his perspective of godliness and God's differentiation of the righteous as opposed to the wicked became apparent.
Listen to what a revitalised Asaph said. "Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. For indeed, those who are far from You shall perish; you have destroyed all those who desert You for harlotry. But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all Your works." Psalm 73:25-28 (NKJV)
As we draw near to God, He will draw near to us (James 4:8). Let this be an Elihu moment and Psalm 73:17 turning point for you. Spend time with God in your own personal space and in a corporate worship session.
Have a Blessed adventure with the Holy Spirit as He teaches you the Word of God so as to live in God's way for His glory!
Note: I have been a Christian for many years, but it was on 16 October 2014 that I first caught hold of Elihu's name and his significant moment with Job, thanks to a Word in season from Pastor Jimmy Sng of City Harvest Church.
