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Job 16:1-19:29; I Corinthians 16:1-24; Psalm 40:1-10; Proverbs 22:1
“Then Job answered, ‘I have heard many things like these. You are all miserable comforters. Is there no end to your empty words? What provokes you that you continue testifying? If you were in my place I could also talk like you. I could string words together against you and shake my head at you, but I wouldn’t. I would encourage you with my mouth, and the consolation from my lips would bring relief.” (Job 16:1-5)
Job is walking through his trials and tribulations and his friends are offering their opinions on why he is going through all of this. Like typical human beings they are looking to defend God’s honor and find the fault in the human. Surely Job has sinned and brought this on himself. They condemn Job instead of encouraging him.
God watches our reactions and how we treat one another. He alone is the righteous judge. Many times we do like Job’s friends and sentence a person not even knowing the full depth of everything that is going on in their life. Be honest, have you ever seen someone stricken with illness and wondered what they did to bring it on? Did you ever think that this is a sin-sick world and sometimes things just happen? Even if someone is going through the process of correction, it’s not our place to “help” God by condemning them. It is our pride that causes us to think we know everything and are capable of making a call on things.
We will live all of our lives and just barely scratch the surface of what we understand about God and spirituality. Lord, forgive our arrogance and ignorance. Let’s make a commitment to do our best by people. Let’s give them the benefit of the doubt and have the character of Job, and even God Himself.
“A bruised reed shall He not break, and a smoking flax shall He not quench, till He send forth judgment unto victory. And in His name shall the Gentiles trust.” (Matthew 12:20-21)
God’s heart is one of mercy and grace. Life is hard enough and everyone is fighting some type of battle, let’s lighten the load by giving hope. If you’re not careful, you may find yourself in their shoes.
PRAYER:
Lord, please help me to keep a hold on my tongue and my opinions. I don’t want to make things worse for a person that’s already under a heavy load. Teach me to be more gracious like You. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
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