Thoughts for the Day

‘I know that you can do all things,
and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
"Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?”
Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand,
things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.
“Hear, and I will speak;
I will question you, and you declare to me.”
I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear,
but now my eye sees you;
therefore I despise myself,
and repent in dust and ashes.’

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

I was reminded recently of just how many phrases in common use come from the Bible (see Further Thoughts, if you'd like to look them up). Phrases like:

• "Apple of my eye"
• "Scapegoat"
• "A man after my own heart"
• "By the skin of my teeth"
• "Broken-hearted"
• "Eat, drink and be merry"

There are hundreds more, and our reading today includes one: "Job's comforter", that is someone who discourages another while seemingly giving them comfort. In the Hebrew Scriptures (our Old Testament) Job suffers terribly as a way of testing his faith in God. He loses his possessions, his children, and his health, and then three friends appear to give him comfort, but all point out that these things happen to sinners and promptly tell him about his faults. Job complains to God, who answers him in no uncertain terms. He helps Job to understand the limitation of his knowledge and understanding. For God is not only the creator and sustainer of the world, He has the power to crush the wicked and humble the proud.

Job's response is one of absolute repentance, "I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know ... therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.’ (note - it ends in yet another common phrase!). We need to learn to trust God completely and humbly, for His ways are not our ways. Then He will surely bless us.

Lord God Almighty,
we acknowledge Your Sovereign rule
over all things.
May we learn to trust You in all things,
and accept Your rule for our life.
Help us to repent utterly
and trust You completely.
Amen.