Job 13-16

Job continues conversation about his suffering with his three very argumentative friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar (Job 13-16).  Today's reading begins round two of their arguments, which are even more emphatic than before, and Job faithfully responds to each one of them.  

In his pain, Job is forced to defend himself to his friends as he tries to convince them that his suffering is not a reflection of his guilt.

He points to his hope in God when he says,

If someone dies, will they live again?  

All the days of my hard service

I will wait for my renewal to come.

You will call and I will answer you.

Job 14:14-15

Today's reading made me think about how all of us, as believers, are called to comfort each other in our times of need.

So if we are to learn from the mistakes of Job's friends and Job's deep needs, how are we called to comfort those who are broken and suffering?

It occurred to me that even though Job's friends know God's word, they lose God's point in how they apply them to this real life situation.  They really miss out on the power of Christ to be our ultimate healer and comforter.

How am I called to be a better comforter? 

What would Jesus do?

Jesus loves no matter what.  By His example, He doesn't comfort based on His perfect judgement of right versus wrong but based on His unconditional love for others and their deepest need to be loved.

And Job reminds us that sometimes the most supportive and loving response is to just physically be there with encouragement, without judgement or advice.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 5 For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. 

2 Corinthians 1:3-5

A prayer for today-

Dear God,

Thank You for sending Jesus into the world to be my example and the ultimate Healer and Comforter.  

Forgive me for being such an imperfect and selfish comforter.  Forgive my judgements on others.

Work in my heart, and make me less guarded and more loving.

I have ____________ on my heart today.  Show me how to comfort him/her/them through the power of Your Holy Spirit.

In Jesus' name I pray,

Amen

Peace of Christ,

*This post is part of A Mind-Maker-Upper's Everyday Reading Project.  Click here to read more.