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Job 15:11 "Are the consolations of God too small for you, or the word that deals gently with you?"

 

Honestly, yes, sometimes the consolations of God seem too small for me, His word too gentle. I recognize, of course, that this is not a good way to feel, that it is the pull of sin. Sin is big, sometimes temptingly rough, and seemingly so much fun. It's the difference between a quiet night at home in conversation with family and a "We're driving to Florida!" night out drinking with friends. Obviously, the lasting consolations of the night with family far exceed any temporary feeling of happiness the night out produces, and come without the fallout, but if offered the choice at 7:00 p.m. on a Friday night, sometimes the night out sounds very much the way to go!

 

Nothing over the top can last forever (here, at least), any consolation it brings is quickly destroyed by regret and/or consequences. God, on the other hand, is gentle. His consolations might seem small to our sinful selves, but when we accept them they grow on us, filling us with His love and presence in our lives. Eventually, we realize they are not small at all, they are the biggest thing we could have, and are getting us ready for the place where we will experience unimaginable consolation and true happiness eternally.