Job 22:27-29 English Standard Version

²⁷ You will make your prayer to him, and he will hear you, and you will pay your vows.
²⁸ You will decide on a matter, and it will be established for you, and light will shine on your ways.
²⁹ For when they are humbled you say, ‘It is because of pride’; but he saves the lowly.

Is this true? It is in the bible and it sounds right but is it true?

This speech is made by Eliphaz the Temanite. He is one of the three friends that came to comfort Job in the midst of all Job’s pain. Much was said by his friends.

Job 42:7 English Standard Version

The Lord Rebukes Job’s Friends

⁷ After the Lord had spoken these words to Job, the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite: “My anger burns against you and against your two friends, for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has.

There are glimmers of truth here and just enough to make the comments sound Godly. It is obvious from 42:7 that God does not like to be misrepresented. If we love the Lord then our representation of His Words, in word and deed, need to reflect glory to His Holy Name. Glory is God’s reputation and His reputation is pure, honest and true. His glory is impeachable. It is His opinion of His Son Jesus Christ.

James 3:17 English Standard Version (ESV) But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.

The wisdom that comes from about is a gift from God to represent Him as He intends. It is no worldly wisdom that sounds good and in humanistic terms pleases people but this is about pleasing God.

James 1:5 English Standard Version (ESV) If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

Wisdom is used to represent God accurately.

Habakkuk 2:1-3 English Standard Version

¹ I will take my stand at my watchpost and station myself on the tower, and look out to see what he will say to me, and what I will answer concerning my complaint.

The Righteous Shall Live by His Faith

² And the Lord answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it.
³ For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.

Each of us want to believe we are sound of faith, to do all that we can to obey God. We seek God, we hear God, we obey God and then that human thing happens, we want to see the results.

I have to think about these Old Testament prophets that were not used of God in instant moments as Elijah and Elisha had been used. Habakkuk delivered the vision and never got to see how it played out for his readers. Here it is thousands of years later and his work speaks to me because God is faithful and His Word does not fail.

Man has that seed planting desire to see the seed grow into something as if he has done something more just plant the seed. Germination is beyond his control, watering might be the task of another, weeding, cultivation and harvest will often be the work of others.

God tells us at the appointed time and we do not get to determine that time. Neither should our desire to see results cause us to doubt God no delay our next opportunity to obey God. God is always about doing kingdom business. Soundness is looking to God for the next opportunity and not to get delayed in that effort by worrying if our efforts have been fruitful.