04/17/2018
There are times in our lives when we are self-assured and as we study the scripture we say to ourselves “Ah Ha! This is the truth, and I will base my faith on it!” but who are we to be so arrogant? Who are we to interpret scripture without the direction of He whose hand guided the pen? Yet, this is what we are inclined to do, and we build the castles of our faith out of sand on shores strewn with stone... we silence those into whose hand God has placed stone, and cover our ears.
“Who has measured the Spirit of the Lord, or what man shows him his counsel? Whom did he consult, and who made him understand? Who taught him the path of justice, and taught him knowledge, and showed him the way of understanding?”
Isaiah 40:13-14 ESV
In our zeal to understand what God would have us do, and His Commandments for us, it is easy to read quickly through scripture employing our own reasoning and understanding without pausing to pray, or to ask the Holy Spirit to guide us as to God’s intention. We make decisions all day long, and we make them without help; we do so to the point that a certain sense of self-reliance develops, and we begin to believe that we are the rulers of our lives, able to determine our own destinies, and even our own salvation. Does this sound familiar?
“Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: "Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?”
Job 38:1-2 ESV
Oh, we say to ourselves, and all that are around us, that God is Lord, but then we attempt to define Him, and take the staff from His hand. We begin to dress ourselves as God, and act like Him as we use His words. How should we act? Where shall we seek counsel in scripture? Do we wish for God to search our wisdom regarding His will for us? In moments such as this it is time for us to humble ourselves by reading Job beginning with chapter 38.
“Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me. "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding.”
Job 38:3-4 ESV
Sometimes we are inclined to silence those around us with our own self-righteousness and interpretation of God’s Word. When Job had become so presumptuous, as we are often inclined to do, God set him straight with a line of questioning that we are all well advised to listen to. As I reread Job chapters 38 and 39 again today, I conclude as Job did in chapter 40... who am I to place words in the mouth of God?
“Then Job answered the Lord and said: "Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth. I have spoken once, and I will not answer; twice, but I will proceed no further."”
Job 40:3-5 ESV
Job came to the conclusion that he had attempted to assume God’s voice, and his righteousness had exceeded its bounds. I have placed myself in such a position before, and each time I am corrected by God. Sometimes in revelation during prayer, sometimes as I reread scripture and the Holy Spirit reveals a truth to me, sometimes by another Christian, and sometimes through divine intervention as I am thinking of something unrelated when God hits me with a thunderbolt of sudden insight. At such thunderbolt moments I exclaim, as only a southern boy would... “Well, hush my mouth!” or, “Well, fry me in oil, and call me a catfish!” Despite this levity, it would have been so much easier to have sought out God’s meaning through prayer, and by the counsel of the Holy Spirit... yet we allow ourselves to make an attempt to put mortar between bricks of sand as we construct the castles of our faith. Jesus tells us where truth comes from; listen to this exchange with Peter...
“He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.”
Matthew 16:15-17 ESV
So understanding scripture as we read should be done in concert with the Holy Spirit, and prayer. Leaving our own weak attempt at interpretation in the other room. Searching through scripture with divine aid that allows us to hear God’s voice in His Word, and to know God’s will for that understanding in our lives. Do you read too quickly? Do you take God’s voice into your mouth?
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for your guidance through your Holy Word. I thank you Lord for the counsel of the Holy Spirit, and the correction of the saints. I pray Holy Father that your Word finds safe harbor in my soul, and that my faith in you is built on the rock of understanding that only you can provide. Help me to be silent as you speak truth to me, and keep me from relying on my own understanding. Holy Father, reveal to me the direction of your will for my life, and leave it not to my own understanding and determination. Keep your hand ever upon me, and help me as I humbly seek the light of your wisdom in my life. Holy, Holy, Holy are you my God, and through your Word show me who I am intended to be; in your Son Jesus Christ show me my inheritance, an in me reveal to the world His reflection.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV
Rich Forbes