I catch my breath in the opening verses.
Then the Lord said to Job,
2 “Do you still want to argue with the Almighty?
You are God’s critic, but do you have the answers?”Job Responds to the Lord
3 Then Job replied to the Lord,
4 “I am nothing—how could I ever find the answers?
I will cover my mouth with my hand.
5 I have said too much already.
I have nothing more to say.” Job 40:1-5, NLT
In Job’s trials, he talks to his friends, he talks about God, but in the end of his book he talks to God–and then Job listens. This is a fresh reminder to me to get back to basics. To talk to God and then be still and listen.
Last weekend my husband and I looked back at 2015 and how God has worked in our lives. I admitted God had given me direction, and I didn’t listen. God had the answers; he knew things about this year that I couldn’t know. As I look back in reflection of this time, I see God’s love for me, even when I didn’t follow his leading. He walks with me through the hustle. He is good.
Lots of nudges have been coming my way about prayer. About praising God. About trusting him. About seeking his will, and not my own. About listening.
Psalm 150 is all about praise and it underscores the prompts.
Praise the Lord!
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heaven!
2 Praise him for his mighty works;
praise his unequaled greatness!
3 Praise him with a blast of the ram’s horn;
praise him with the lyre and harp!
4 Praise him with the tambourine and dancing;
praise him with strings and flutes!
5 Praise him with a clash of cymbals;
praise him with loud clanging cymbals.
6 Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord!
Praise the Lord! Psalm 150:1-6, NLT
Revelation 22, the words stand out, and I can’t help but remember Greg’s post back in October.
17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let anyone who hears this say, “Come.” Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life. Revelation 22:17, NLT.
Lord, your word teaches me so many things and I don’t want to stop learning. Thank you for your word in my hands and in my heart. Thank you for walking with me through difficulties and showing your love for me in the most unexpected ways. I praise you for your sovereignty and power, and I’m grateful for your patience and grace. Forgive me, Lord, that I put my want ahead of your leading. You are so good to redeem this time. Thank you that when I am thirsty, you call me to come and let me drink freely.
Courtney (66books365)
Sixty-six books in a year 
So much power in listening! God really used those chapters in Job to call me out recently, so good to revisit it. And more prayer has been on my heart, too. Can’t remember who now (Howard Hendricks?), but I heard recently something like, “We grow more by talking to God about man than by talking to man about God.” Thank you for another amazing year! 🙂
Thank you for another great year to Courtney and the other writers. God has used you in gentle and big ways over the past year in my life. I am grateful to Him who has brought us together to return to His Word daily. He is so good to us. 😄
Thanks, Kathy. This place has been a place of growth and safety for me. So thankful for you, the other writers and a good God who meets us right where we are. Happy New Year!
On Thu, Dec 31, 2015 at 11:48 AM, Sixty-six books in a year wrote:
>
Thank you, Erin! You’re such a blessing to this place. Thank you for another great year. I love having you with us!
On Thu, Dec 31, 2015 at 11:45 AM, Sixty-six books in a year wrote:
>
This is my prayer, too. Our hearts are of one accord!