Job 13-16

June 2

Job 13-16

Job is not claiming to be perfect. He is not claiming to be sinless. He asks God if he is paying for the sins of his youth. (13:26) Though he knows God is bringing all his suffering upon him, he continues to hope in God. He knows God is also his deliverer. He knows he has trusted God and continues to trust Him. He just wants some relief from his misery. He also would like for his friends to bring him comfort instead of accusations. Sometimes it is easy to give advice when someone else is the one facing the crisis. Job tells his friends that he could make accusations of them as well if they were in his place, but he would encourage and bring relief instead of piling on with accusations that are not even factual but suppositions.

When someone is suffering, often we can be most helpful when we just sit with them and empathize with them. There are times to speak. There are even times to speak words of correction with kindness. We do not have to speak for God in situations where we are making assumptions. When someone is in obvious sin, rebelling against God and doing things that are destructive to them and to others, we need to speak up and bring words of correction and healing. But to assume someone is facing difficulty because of sin, is a false assumption and elevates our opinions so that we presume to speak for God in the matter.

It is alright to just sit with someone who is suffering and agree with them that it does not seem fair. It is alright to just sit with someone and allow them to vent their frustrations without trying to fix them or the situation. It is alright to sit quietly just to be with someone who is hurting. Words are not necessary and often only bring more hurt. It is alright to speak words of encouragement when someone is in the dumps. No matter what we are going through or what those we love are going through, we can know that God knows us and loves us and " And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28, NIV)