Happy is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors. For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord. Proverbs 8:34-35.

To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Colossians 1:27.

And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. 1 John 5:20.

Reading our chapter, Job 9, I couldn’t help but think of the times in my life when it felt like I was standing at the edge of the cliff of my understanding and before me, plunging down into the unknown, was a great fall. Job lived that fall. Think of all he lost in so short a time. Think of how that impacted his well-ordered view of God. What he experienced didn’t fit into what he “knew” of God. So Job lays out what he “knows” of God, v. 1-13...His wisdom is profound, his power is vast…He moves mountains without their knowing it…He alone stretches out the heavens…He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed…When he passes me I cannot see him; when he goes by I cannot perceive him...

And then…in his “understanding”…v. 15-35…Even if I summoned him and he responded, I do not believe he would give me a hearing…He would crush me with a storm and multiply my wounds for no reason…He would not let me catch my breath…Even if I were innocent my mouth would condemn me…When a land falls into the hands of the wicked, he blindfolds its judges. If it is not he, then who is it?…Since I am already found guilty, why should I struggle in vain…He is not a mere mortal like me that I might answer him…If only there were someone to mediate between us, someone to bring us together…

We are privileged to read what Job experienced and not just Job but his friends, too, who tried in their own “understanding” of God to help Job. We need more than words. There are so many words always!

The 2nd Scripture reference today was in Hearing God by Dallas Willard. I loved how he wrote: {It is important to observe regular times for listening regarding the matters that especially concern you. In The Secret of Guidance, F. B. Meyer is again helpful at this practical level: “Be still each day for a short time, sitting before God in meditation, and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you the truth of Christ’s indwelling. Ask God to be pleased to make known to you what is the riches of the glory of this mystery (Colossians 1:27).” If we maintain this general habit, then, when we are aware of a need for a particular word from God, we will be able to listen for it with greater patience, confidence and acuteness. Generally it is much more important to cultivate the quiet, inward space of a constant listening than to always be approaching God for specific direction.}

Whisper His name, take His hand. Be with our Creator God – Father, Son, Spirit – who loves you and gave His very life for you to redeem, heal, restore you to Him. Our “understanding” changes and will only take us so far. God will lead us Home. Our Home is His Love for us. Stop. Whisper His Name. Listen. Know the comfort of His Love for you enfolding you. He’s here. Always.