Dr. Martin Luther King had the gift of oratory. When he spoke, people listened and acted upon what he said. Jesus Christ was able to sway the multitudes with His powerful words and is still doing so today through His written word. In today’s culture, both these men would be called influencers.
Many of us listen to the advice of others. They may be influencers or just friends and family members. In the Bible, a man called Job had some friends who came to sympathize with him after his misfortune. But after some days, they began to blame him for the terrible things that had happened to him. Do you have friends like that?
Fortunately for Job, he did not listen to them. He refused to give in to their words of blame and discouragement. Instead, Job replied, “How long will you torment me and crush me with words? Ten times now you have reproached me; shamelessly you attack me. If it is true that I have gone astray, my error remains my concern alone” (Job 19: 2 – 4) NIV.
While Job acknowledged that God had turned against him, he didn’t know why, but he did not lose his faith in God. He said,
“Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face” (13: 15).
So, who are you listening to? Do you have people in your life telling you to give up, you will never achieve your goals, you are wasting your time? Don’t listen to these naysayers. Do what Job did. Continue to trust in God and He will help you in His way and His time.
