January 27 – Reading 27

JANUARY 27 – Reading 27

by John Christian Pra | January 27

“GOOD WORD, WRONG TIME”
(Job 35:1 – 37:24)

“For truly my words are not false; one who is perfect in knowledge is with you.” – Job 36:4

A few years ago, I was flying home on a plane back from Utah when our plane hit a lot of turbulence. If you’re anything like me, turbulence gets the blood pumping and the mind rolling. I found myself clenching the armrests, trying to gain any semblance of control I could. As we continued on, and the turbulence with us, I thought it would be good to play some worship music to calm my soul and recenter my focus. 

I went to my worship playlist, started the music, and waited for the peace to wash over me. Except, it never did. Instead, the opposite happened. As I was listening, I was getting more anxious and fearful! After another minute of my heart rate rising, I finally turned it off and realized why things seemed to be getting worse. 

The song I was listening to was about breaking strongholds and breaking down walls in our lives. I had listened to the song many times, but as the song came to a crescendo, the beat of the drums and the rhythm of the song continued to build up and along with it, my pulse. 

Afterwards, I realized that this song was actually adding to my stress, and it gave me a good laugh. I probably would have been better off with some calm nursery rhymes. 

But in the end, I received an important truth from this moment: not every good word is a timely word. 

I’m deeply thankful for the power of Jesus Christ to break strongholds in my life, the authority that God has to tear down prison walls, and the Holy Spirit’s ability to bring breakthrough to those around me. 

The message of the song wasn’t the issue, the moment was. 

Here in the book of Job, Elihu has a great intention to assist his friend in a desperate time. But the words he speaks are words for a different season. In fact, Elihu did not even correctly assess the situation that Job found himself in and instead of leading him to life, he began to heap judgment and death on him. 

Have you ever found yourself listening to someone who meant well, but seemed disconnected from what was actually happening around you? Or maybe someone gave you advice that you wish they would have kept to themselves. The hard part is we have probably been that person to someone else without realizing it. 

Proverbs 15:23 (NLT) says, “Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!” 

Before you speak, ask the Lord, “Is this something you really desire for me to say?” 

Before you receive the seemingly good wisdom from another, ask the Lord, “Is this what you desire to speak to me in this season?” 

Seek today to give life with your words and to humble yourself before the Lord and others. 

Think about it. Pray about it.

• How can you discern whether something is wisdom from God or just well-intended advice from a friend?
• What does it look like to be life-giving with your words today?
• Ask Jesus who He would have you encourage today.