Whispers of His Power

Yesterday was beautiful in every way. In the morning the sky was endless blue. By afternoon clouds rolled in, and we hurried to take our walk before the promised cold snap arrived. In the Sunday school class we gave serious thought to the nature of the God to whom we pray; it was great. Our friends there were lavish in thanking God for the drop in my CA 125 numbers; several took it as the direct answer to their personal prayers. I am so grateful.

I think there were more than 100 people at the Justice Project launch last evening. We joined the kids’ outreach team, and will probably also be on call for group service projects at times. Each of us took home a small red towel, symbolic of Christ’s servant attitude as He washed His disciples’ feet. Every time we show up to serve in that neighborhood, we’re supposed to tuck that towel in a back pocket.

I think it was fine yesterday morning to look at Job’s virtues. He is definitely one of my heroes. But by far, God is the real Hero of this and every story. Job himself, in flawless poetry, gave voice to God’s greatness. May I quote him here?

“God stretches the northern sky over empty space and hangs the earth on nothing. He wraps the rain in his thick clouds, and the clouds do not burst with the weight. He shrouds his throne with his clouds. He created the horizon when he separated the waters; he set the boundaries for day and night. The foundations of heaven tremble at his rebuke…His Spirit made the heavens beautiful…These are some of the minor things he does, merely a whisper of his power. Who can understand the thunder of his power?” (Job 26:7-14).

Then, in chapter 28, he reflects on the gorgeous gems and precious metals God has buried deep in the earth, and the cleverness of people to mine them. In verse 20 he turns sober: “But do people know where to find wisdom? Where can they find understanding? For it is hidden from the eyes of all humanity…God surely knows where it can be found, for he looks throughout the whole earth, under all the heavens. He made the winds blow and determined how much rain should fall. He made the laws of the rain and prepared a path for the lightning. Then, when he had done all this, he saw wisdom and measured it. He established it and examined it thoroughly. And this is what he says to all humanity: ‘The fear of the Lord is true wisdom; to forsake evil is real understanding.’”

As I watch history unfold, and also as I listen to people I love grappling with tough relational issues, I think that what we all need is wisdom and understanding. Even Job, in the depths of his pain and perplexity, knew the source of wisdom. Do we?

I beg your prayers for our Nassau friend. Today he faces a lung biopsy (by bronchoscope, I think) and a far more risky invasion behind his breastbone with a micro-camera to observe the mass there. Oh God, help!

Love,
Carol