areliablefaith

Job 35-37, Condensed Caustic Correction. I have had it with Job’s friends. Elihu started off seemingly reasonable yesterday with a tone that sounded a bit more compassionate toward Job than Job’s previous three friends. Today Elihu goes full beast mode leaving Job demoralized and crushed. Job responded to each of the previous friends’ “correction” but he is seemingly silent under the weight of young Elihu’s blistering condemnation. Elihu says several correct things about God, but he assumes some things about Job that we know are not accurate. As Elihu continues on he seems to get more worked up, laying it on thick to Job. Job, a man who has essentially lost everything but his life, is browbeaten and repeatedly wrongly accused of bringing this misfortune upon himself.

I am learning that one of the greatest gifts we can give someone is empathy. Putting ourselves in someone else’s shoes in their time of need is to position ourselves to bring God’s comfort. We do not need to have all the answers. Sometimes God will provide answers but not always. We do not need to force it. What we can do is provide grace and a true friend who will be there. Rather than pointing to some perceived fault, we just need to point to Jesus and bring our friend to the One who was, and is, a Father to the fatherless and a friend to the friendless.

LORD, help us to always wait for you in bringing corrections. There are proper times and places, but we so need your help to bring correction in a way that can be received. With your help we can definitely live and share the compassion you have toward us and toward all humanity. Love through us, Lord. Enable us to preach the Gospel with Holy Spirit-inspired actions. And at the right time, give us the words of life that soothes the soul and brings others to you. We love you Lord and it is in Jesus’ Name that we pray!