Eli-WHO?

(DISCLAIMER: This picture is a year and a half old....my hair looks a lot better!!!)

Hey, y'all!


I've been deep into His Word this week at Wendy's website studying the book of Job. Yes, the Old Testament character who was so obedient to God. He was blameless and a man of integrity. One day, the Accuser asked God if he could test him. He wanted to see if bad things happened to Job, would Job still honor and fear God. Job did pass the test! But, he went through TERRIBLE, TERRIBLE trials. His children were killed. His servants and livestock were killed. His wife left him. He had awful boils all over his body. People spit on him, and the list goes on. And yet, he still claimed that he had done nothing wrong --Job was innocent before God. Job simply wanted God to tell him what he had done because there had to be a reason all of this had happened.


Now Job had three friends. These friends, after finding out what had happened to their buddy, came to the city gate where Job was and sat with him in silence for a week. Can you imagine not speaking for an entire week? Mercy!


Then, the three friends tried to help him figure out what sin he had committed for all of this to have happen. They inquired, and Job defended himself. This banter went on for quite awhile. (Many chapters, people! Many chapters!)


Remember, this was happening in a public place where others were walking by and hearing their conversation. Personally, I think I would have found a quiet little cafe in the land of Uz and hung out there to discuss all of this! Just sayin'!


Finally, another character enters the conversation. His name is Elihu. Elihu's name means "He is my God." Well, first Elihu tells Job and his three buddies that he has been listening and has not said one word because he was younger and since they were older, they SHOULD be wiser! Listen to this young whipper snapper:


"I am young and you are old, so I held back from telling you what I think. I thought, 'Those who are older should speak, for wisdom comes with age.' But there is a spirit within people, the breath of the Almighty within them, that makes them intelligent."


Did you listen to that last sentence? Really listen? As young as Elihu was, he "got it!" He realized that the Holy Spirit lives in our hearts and is the one who gives us spiritual wisdom. He was trying to get this across to Job and company!


Elihu goes on to say: "For God is greater that any human being. so why are you bringing a charge against Him? Why say he does not respond to people's complaints? For God speaks again and again, though people do not recognize it. He speaks in dreams...He whispers in their ears and terrifies them with warnings. He makes them turn from doing wrong; he keeps them from pride."Job 33: 12-17


I don't know about y'all, but I believe that Elihu was on to something! He knew how to listen and hear the voice of God. He had the gift of discernment. And, he was willing to share that gift with Job. Would Job accept this gift? I'll find out in tomorrow's reading of Job 34!


My question for you all is do you have an Elihu in your life? Someone who sits back, observes, listens, prays, and then speaks what the Lord has place on their heart for you? I DO! She's in the picture with me! I am blessed that several of my close friends could have their middle initial E. --as in Elihu! This chickadee is my accountability partner. We pray together, share together, laugh together and cry together. She helps me stay focused especially on my ADD days!Everyone needs an Elihu in their lives!


Praying that you ask God to send your Elihu to you soon! And if she/he's already there, tell them how thankful you are that they truly listen to you!




Sweet blessings,