OH THAT GOD WOULD SPEAK

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

AUGUST 4

 

Job 11:5

But oh that God would speak,

and open his lips against thee;

 
Job’s friends mistook his case. They failed to convince him by their reasonings. They were desirous to do so, therefore one of the at length exclaims, “Oh that God would speak!”
 
Thus the believer often exclaims, it supposes a desire to accomplish a certain end; a persuasion of the insufficiency of all but God; a kind and benevolent feeling.
 
To whom may we desire God to speak?
 
To ourselves, to assure us of our interest in his love—to relieve us under our distress—and to establish us in the truth.
 
To sinner, to quicken them—to convert them—to bring them forth on the Lord’s side.
 
To mourners, to comfort them—to strengthen them—and to set them at liberty.
 
To backsliders, to reprove and restore them to holiness, to happiness, and to usefulness.
 
What does the exclamation teach us? Confidence in God.
 
To apple God in all difficult cases.
 
Tried believer, God will speak for thee.
 
Devoted Christian, God will speak with thee.
 
How does he speak?
 
By his word.
 
By his providence.
 
By his Spirit.
 
Then let us listen to hear his voice.
 
Let us plead with him often to speak to us, by his preachers, by his ordinances, by his word, and by every dispensation.
 

Sweet is the voice of heavenly peace,

Which spreads his gospel o’er

Then let his servants trust his grace

Nor turn to folly more.

 
James Smith