Calling Out to God #27

In Job 22, Eliphaz, one of Job's supposed friends, is telling Job all the reasons God might not be hearing Job's prayers anymore. He hints that Job has maybe been wicked and greedy, ignoring the needy around him while he hoarded all his riches. He then calls on Job to "return to God":

26 For then you will delight yourself in the Almighty
    and lift up your face to God.
27 You will make your prayer to him, and he will hear you,
    and you will pay your vows.

We find later that these accusations were not true, but when we do self-examination in our lives, it is never a bad thing for us to do as the psalmist does and ask: "see if there be any wicked way in me." Ask God if there is anything between the two of you hindering your open conversation and fellowship. Is there any topic you refuse to talk about. When we do, we can be sure that God, by His Spirit will lovingly show us if there is, or if the great Accuser is trying to use false guilt to discourage us.  Eliphaz rightly brings out what every child of God wants - to be able to come openly to Almighty God, know He hears, and that the life we lay before Him is acceptable to Him.  That acceptance comes only through Christ, and that access into God's presence only comes through Christ. There is no other middleman - especially the great Accuser.