Living By Rumors

Scripture: Job 41-42; 2 Cor. 1-2

Job 42:1-6
Job answered God: “I’m convinced: You can do anything and everything.
   Nothing and no one can upset your plans.
You asked, ‘Who is this muddying the water,
   ignorantly confusing the issue, second-guessing my purposes?’
I admit it. I was the one. I babbled on about things far beyond me,
   made small talk about wonders way over my head.
You told me, ‘Listen, and let me do the talking.
   Let me ask the questions. You give the answers.’
I admit I once lived by rumors of you;
   now I have it all firsthand—from my own eyes and ears!
I’m sorry—forgive me. I’ll never do that again, I promise!
   I’ll never again live on crusts of hearsay, crumbs of rumor.”

Observations: Job trusted too much in the words of his friends. Despite the fact that Job was the most upright man in the land (see Chapter 1), apparently, much of his knowledge of God was second-hand. That worked–until he needed to be closer to God than ever before. He knew much of God, but as it turned out, he did not know God.

Application: My discipleship is my own responsibility. All too often, I get swept up in the writings of some theologian and presume to know God better through his or her efforts. While their insight can be fascinating and even informing, I must rely upon my personal experiences to guide my efforts to serve God. When the theologians start stirring my soul, I need to check in with God to make sure I’m not trusting crumbs of rumor. Goodness knows, crumbs of rumor are the grist of the rumor mills around our Conference. We should know better.

Prayer: God, when you speak to me through the people around me, give me ears to hear clearly. Amen.