God is listening intently to every word.

Have you ever felt like God is ignoring you? When life is falling apart, it feels like God is refusing to step in. Even when you’re crying out for help, it feels like God isn’t listening. Yet in truth, He is intently listening to every word.

The life of Job is a great example. Although God allowed Job to be afflicted, He was listening. God was listening when his wife disregarded him. God was listening when his friends belittled him and gave him poor advice. And God continued to listen to every word, as Job cried out for help.

• If you’re unfamiliar with who Job is, you can read his story in the Old Testament Book of Job.
• In previous posts, I’ve discussed the overwhelming calamity that Job experienced.
• Despite the trials, Job remained faithful and submitted to God’s authority.

Job Cries Out To God

Today, I want to highlight Job’s discourse that begins in chapter 26 and ends in chapter 31. At the onset, it appears to be a response to his supposed friend, Bildad’s advice. There’s actually far deeper meaning to Job’s response.

In a way, Job offers an open and honest venting to God. He has nothing to lose, so lays it all out on the table. He throws up every word that his mind can muster, crying out, pleading with God!

“I cry out to you, O God, but you do not answer; I stand up, but you merely look at me. You turn on me ruthlessly; with the might of your hand you attack me. You snatch me up and drive me before the wind; you toss me about in the storm. I know you will bring me down to death, to the place appointed for all the living.” (Job 30:20-23

“Surely no one lays a hand on a broken man when he cries for help in his distress. Have I not wept for those in trouble? Has not my soul grieved for the poor? Yet when I hoped for good, evil came; when I looked for light, then came darkness. The churning inside me never stops; days of suffering confront me. I go about blackened, but not by the sun;I stand up in the assembly and cry for help.” (Job 30:24-28)

Speak without fear.

Sometimes, even in Western culture, a type of mythological terror of ‘offending the god(s)’ mentality slips into our Christian faith. Job’s discourse teaches us such a powerful lesson.

Whatever we need to say, God can take it! How quickly we forget that we have a Heavenly Father who loves us. Much like an earthly father, He longs to hear from His children, even if it’s sharing our frustrations concerning Him.

He already knows, so you might as well tell Him!

Perhaps you’ve found yourself terrified of what God might do if you speak your mind. Perhaps you’ve had honest thoughts and feelings, but have refrained from offering them to God, in case you might utter a harsh word.

Pause and remind yourself, “God is my Heavenly Father!”

• Don’t be afraid to pour out your heart to Him.
• Don’t be scared to offer up anything and everything you’re feeling and thinking.
• Don’t be afraid to get alone with Him, to explain your trials and struggles, your pain and your fear.
• Don’t be afraid to lay out your anger and frustration, that He hasn’t intervened.

Let’s get brutally honest with our Heavenly Father.

Today, find an hour to be alone with God. Remove devices and other distractions. Make a cup of your favourite hot drink and relax in your favourite chair. Open your Bible to Job, chapters 26 through 31.

As you read, pay specific attention to the urgency in Job’s words.

• What can you learn from his brutal honesty with God?
• What can Job teach you about your relationship with God?
• How will your communication with God change moving forward?

Then move to prayer, and get brutally honest.

• What in God’s planning and/or provision is frustrating you?
• Where do you feel abandoned by Him?
• How have you felt like He’s not listening?

As your mind begins to entertain these questions, pray as you’ve never prayed before! Address every situation and struggle, remembering that He knew your thoughts and feelings before you ever started reading this post.

God is listening intently to every word, just as a good Father listens to His child!