Homilist Job 13:3-4 Surely I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God.… There is a great deal of human speaking that has to do with God. Most speak about God, many speak against God, and some speak to God. Of these there are two classes — Those who occasionally speak to Him under the pressure of trial; those who regularly speak to Him as the rule of their life. These last are the true Christ-like men. I. SPEAKING TO GOD SHOWS THE HIGHEST PRACTICAL RECOGNITION OF THE DIVINE PRESENCE. It indicates — 1. A heart belief in the fact of the Divine existence. 2. A heart belief in the personality of the Divine existence. What rational soul would speak to a vain impersonality? Man may justly infer the personality of God from his own personality. 3. A heart belief in the nearness of the Divine existence. It feels that He is present. 4. A heart belief in the impressibility of the Divine existence. It has no question about the Divine susceptibility. II. SPEAKING TO GOD SHOWS THE TRUEST RELIEF OF OUR SOCIAL NATURE. Social relief consists principally in the free and full communication to others of all the thoughts and emotions that must affect the heart. Before a man will fully unbosom his soul to another, he must be certified of three things — 1. That the other feels the deepest interest in him. Who has such an interest in us as God? 2. That the other will make full allowance for the infirmities of his nature. Who is so acquainted with our infirmities as God? 3. That the other will be disposed and able to assist in our trials. Who can question the willingness and capability of God? III. SPEAKING TO GOD SHOWS THE MOST EFFECTIVE METHOD OF SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE. 1. The effort of speaking to God is most quickening to the soul. 2. The effort of speaking to God is most humbling to a soul. 3. The effort of speaking to God is most spiritualising to the soul. It breaks the spell of the world upon us; it frees us from secular associations; it detaches us from earth; and it makes us feel that there is nothing real but spirit, nothing great but God, and nothing worthy of man but assimilation to and fellowship with the Infinite. IV. SPEAKING TO GOD SHOWS THE HIGHEST HONOUR OF A CREATED SPIRIT. The act implies a great capacity. What can show the greatness of the human soul so much as this exalted communion? (Homilist.) Parallel Verses KJV: Surely I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God.WEB: "Surely I would speak to the Almighty. I desire to reason with God. |
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