Read through the Bible in 2 years: Job 32

Have you ever overheard someone slander or misrepresent your mom or dad, your brother or sister, or your husband or child? Did you speak up to defend them or to correct the false information?

That is kinda the situation that Elihu is in here, except this time the person being misrepresented is God Himself. Elihu has listened carefully and patiently long enough and now he’s got to speak up.

For I am full of words;
the spirit within me constrains me. Behold, my belly is like wine that has no vent; like new wineskins ready to burst.
I must speak, that I may find relief;
I must open my lips and answer.

Job 32:18-20 ESV

Like Elihu we must know when to be patient or wait in silence, but we must also know when to speak up! We must not give way to cowardice under the guise of humility. Rather, we must courageously speak the words that the Spirit gives us to speak with gentleness and respect.

As a child of God, we should feel compelled to speak up when our Heavenly Father’s character or His Word are misrepresented. How dare we stand idly by and let our Lord’s Name be sullied or spoiled! Like Peter and John said when they were commanded to stop telling people about the risen Christ, “we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:20)

Truly, my love for Christ – and His love for me – compels, controls, constrains me to implore others to be reconciled to God. I hope you feel the same way. Let me encourage you to take a few minutes of your time right now to read 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 to learn more about being an ambassador for Christ.

Let’s pray.

Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your loving kindness and mercy towards me, a sinner. I pray that I would be an ambassador for Your kingdom, sharing the good news of reconciliation that Your Son made possible by His blood. Help me to be gentle, respectful, humble, and patient… And help me to be bold and courageous, not giving way to fear and cowardice. May my love for You compel me to speak up when You are slandered and may my love for others compel me to tell them their desperate need for a Savior. In the Name of Jesus Christ my Savior and Lord I pray, Amen.