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REFLECTION
“Words fail me” is the theme for our reflection. “Words fail me” is an idiomatic expression of inability to describe something with words, (usually) being overwhelmed with some emotion (shock, surprise, fear). We shall reflect on the fact that we are humbled and words fail us when we discover God’s plan or will for our lives, especially, during times of despair.

Beloved in the Lord, sometimes when we discover God’s will and plans for our lives we are humbled and words fail us. Job during his suffering lamented and said many things in defence of the accusation levelled against him by his friends. Later, when God revealed Himself to Job concerning His will in his life, Job was humbled and words failed him, therefore he said “I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted. ³ You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. ⁴ “You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.’ ⁵ My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. ⁶ Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.” (Job 42:2-6) In other words, Job confessed to God that he had experienced His glory and had appreciated his ignorance concerning God’s will and plans for his life, hence, words fail him and he is humbled before God by repenting in dust and ashes. According to Jewish culture covering oneself in dust and ashes is a sign of humility, repentance, grief and an acknowledgement of human frailty and mortality before God.

Dear friend in the Lord, sometimes hardship and troubles can cause us to be depressed. In our depression, we speak or utter words and question God’s Omnipotence, Omnipresence and Omniscience in our lives. We are further plunged into a state of despair when it appears God is silent to our prayers. Sometimes we asked the question, why me? where are you, my Lord? Will I perish in this situation? Lord, why have you allowed my enemies to make me a laughingstock? Grief, pain, anxiety or fear can cause us to replace faith with hopelessness and frustration. Beloved in the Lord, what do you do when things are not going well in your life? How do carry yourself as a child of God when you are greatly hit by calamities? I am here to remind you of the Lord’s will for those who have a covenant relationship with Him, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ¹² Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. (Jeremiah 29:11-12)

When we only focus on today’s challenges or problems we may become ungrateful to God through our utterances and actions but when we look back and consider or reflect on how God has faithfully journeyed with us over the years till now, we will be humbled and words fail us, because His ” … grace is sufficient for us, for His power is made perfect in our weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9). David went through many challenges in his life but the undeniable fact was that God’s love and mercy were constant in His life, therefore he confessed, “The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. ² He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, ³ he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. ⁴ Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. ⁵ You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. ⁶ Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” (Psalms 23:1-6). As the year comes to an end, many of us are still in a state of despair because of the hardship and frustration we are going through. Some of us are still battling with sickness, unemployment, marital issues, economic hardship and all manner of disappointments, however, we are greatly assured by God in Isaiah 43:19 that “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Again, Jesus assures us that “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26). Beloved in the Lord, so long as you have life, God is still faithful and all hope is not lost, soon, words will fail you because you shall count your blessings one by one and it will surprise you what the Lord has done! God will overwhelm you with testimonies too exciting and wonderful to explain. Do not give up, “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23)

In summary, we have reflected on the theme “Words fail me”. We have discovered that we are humbled and words fail us when we discover God’s plan or will for our lives, especially, during times of despair.

PRAYER
Almighty God, thank you for Your presence and grace in our lives. May we never be overwhelmed with life’s challenges and frustrations. Strengthen our faith and help us to remain steadfast in times of adversity. May words fail those who will soon experience your power and glory in their lives. Praise be to Your Holy Name!. Amen.