1 Then Job answered and said: 2 “I have heard many such things; Miserable comforters are you all! 3 Shall words of wind have an end? Or what provokes you that you answer? 4 I also could speak as you do, If your soul were in my soul’s place. I could heap up words against you, And shake my head at you; 5 But I would strengthen you with my mouth, And the comfort of my lips would relieve your grief.
Job 16:1-5
Job 16:1-5
I all his distress Job found the “comfort” of his friends to be a miserable wind blowing against his wounds. It is easy to criticize others when they are down. It is too easy to find faults and blame them for their trouble. Yet Job says that if their places were reversed his lips would have comforted them to relieve their grief. His words would have strengthened them and lifted them up instead of taking shots at them while they were down.
If you see one who is struggling today don’t put a greater burden on them. Instead lift them up with your words. Strengthen them by sharing encouragement. If they are down offer a hand up not a foot to the face.
Jesus, it is easy to criticize when others are down. Keep this picture of Job suffering double because his friends rubbed it in. Let my heart have compassion on those who are suffering. Help me not assume it is because they deserve it. Move my heart to lift not lord it over them.
Trusting In Him,
Pastor Jason
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