Just a Whisper / ODB

 

Just a Whisper How faint the whisper we hear of Him! Job 26:14 READ Job 26:7–14 The whispering wall in New York City’s Grand Central Station is an acoustic oasis from the clamor of the area. This unique spot allows people to communicate quiet messages from a distance of thirty feet. When one person stands at the base of a granite archway and speaks softly into the wall, soundwaves travel up and over the curved stone to the listener on the other side. Job heard the whisper of a message when his life was filled with noise and the tragedy of losing nearly everything (Job 1:13–19; 2:7). His friends blabbered their opinions, his own thoughts tumbled endlessly, and trouble had invaded every aspect of his existence. Still, the majesty of nature spoke softly to him about God’s divine power. The splendor of the skies, the mystery of the earth suspended in space, and the stability of the horizon reminded Job that the world was in the palm of God’s hand (26:7–11). Even a churning sea and a rumbling atmosphere led him to say, “these are but the outer fringe of [God’s] works; how faint the whisper we hear of him!” (v. 14). If the world’s wonders represent just a fragment of God’s capabilities, it’s clear that His power exceeds our ability to understand it. In times of brokenness, this gives us hope. God can do anything, including what He did for Job as He sustained him during suffering. By Jennifer Benson Schuldt How does God’s great power comfort you? Which parts of nature inspire you to stand in awe of Him? Dear God, when my problems seem big, help me to remember that You’re bigger, and nothing is impossible for You.

SCRIPTURE INSIGHT Hearing about Job’s sufferings, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar came to comfort him (Job 2:11). His three friends believed that his suffering was a result of sin. During three rounds of dialogue (chs. 4–31), they argued with him, trying to convince him to repent so that God would bless him again. Maintaining his innocence, Job rejected his friends’ explanation for human suffering. Bildad accused him of not knowing who God is (ch. 25). Responding, Job said he knew God better than Bildad. Job spoke of God as the Creator and described His mystery, supremacy, and majesty. He’s omnipotent—He created and controls everything (26:5–13). He’s also transcendent—what we see of Him in creation is but the fringes of His ways, and what we hear is but a whisper of His power! (v. 14). K. T. Sim