“Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?” (Job 38:2)

I suppose the best answer is simply to raise one’s own hand.  I am the one who darkens counsel by words without knowledge.  I rush to speak where I should be silent, to explain where I do not know, and to offer my opinion where God’s Word is better.  For what are my thoughts compared to God’s?

Every Christian should pause and sit with this reality for a bit, taking it to heart.  Many people extol the virtue of being still and silent for meditation, but we’re not truly silent until we have pondered the futility of our own thoughts compared to God’s—yes, even our pondering of our ponderings is a chasing after wind.  Until we extinguish our love for our own opinions and discernment, we’re still yakking away in the arrogance of our hearts, however still our mouths may be.

Yet once we have confessed our ignorance and said, “Your thoughts, O Lord, are higher than my thoughts,” then we are truly silent, however much we may speak.  Those who make God’s Word their counsel are quiet and still before Him, even though they may make a great noise, because they have silenced their minds in favor of God’s mind and refrained from exalting their judgments over His.  Here is the joy and gift of the Church: always having a better Word than our own, because it carries so much greater consolation and wisdom.

LET US PRAY: Silence the imaginations of my heart, O Lord, so that I may truly speak and speak the truth.  Amen

Pastor Steven K. Gjerde

Zion, Wausau

“The bird also has found a house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even Your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.” (Psalm 83:3)

Lord, You provide for all the creatures of the earth, for You are the One who made all things. In Your hands are the ages. The people clamor for what You already give. Guide me, O Lord, in the way I should go that I would forever walk in the way You have established. Lead me, O Lord, that I may go according to Your never-failing word and walk in Your grace and mercy all the days of my life.

Lord, You have walked the earth and You know the difficulty of this place. Hold fast to me that I may walk according to Your Spirit and live the way You would have me live. Lift me up to see in You the hope of glory and to look beyond the insanity of this age. In You, O Lord, is the hope of the ages. As You take care of all the creatures, I thank You for caring for me.

Lord Jesus, You have come into the world to lead as many as would follow into the presence of the Father. You through and for whom all things were created must lead the way. Come to me in times of trouble and come to me in times that are good that at all times I may know that it is You who leads. Guide me by Your grace to see in You the eternal hope of glory which You have purchased for those who love You. Amen.