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- Oct 26, 2007
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"I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, But now my eye sees You. Therefore I abhor [myself], And repent in dust and ashes." Job 42:5-6 KJV
Job’s success in business may have contributed to his need to “repent in dust and ashes,” but his encounter with God’s word helped him move beyond the seduction of success into a more accurate view of his limited understanding of God’s purposes. After God’s poetic intervention (Job 38-41), Job’s understanding of God expanded from “hearing of the ear” to “my eyes sees You.” He learned, the hard way, that there are better teachers than success.
The seduction of success frustrates the way people see God and the way they see each other. Paul confronted people who lacked the necessary humility to surrender their opinions. He ends his argument about head coverings with “If anyone wants to be contentious about this, we have no other practice” (1 Corinthians 11:16). Paul knew pride’s seduction makes unity difficult.
The psalmist presents an answer for Job and the church that moves beyond the pride-infused classroom of success: “Though the Lord is great, he cares for the humble, but he keeps his distance from the proud” (Psalm 138:6). God’s humble character is the best teacher.
Prayer: Father, help me understand that I don’t understand what You understand. And help that understanding move me toward humility.
Job’s success in business may have contributed to his need to “repent in dust and ashes,” but his encounter with God’s word helped him move beyond the seduction of success into a more accurate view of his limited understanding of God’s purposes. After God’s poetic intervention (Job 38-41), Job’s understanding of God expanded from “hearing of the ear” to “my eyes sees You.” He learned, the hard way, that there are better teachers than success.
The seduction of success frustrates the way people see God and the way they see each other. Paul confronted people who lacked the necessary humility to surrender their opinions. He ends his argument about head coverings with “If anyone wants to be contentious about this, we have no other practice” (1 Corinthians 11:16). Paul knew pride’s seduction makes unity difficult.
The psalmist presents an answer for Job and the church that moves beyond the pride-infused classroom of success: “Though the Lord is great, he cares for the humble, but he keeps his distance from the proud” (Psalm 138:6). God’s humble character is the best teacher.
Prayer: Father, help me understand that I don’t understand what You understand. And help that understanding move me toward humility.
