In Job, chapter 17, by the tone of his writing, you can tell that he is very weak, where there is not much life left in him. Even the will power to live was fading. He had boils all over his body, lost almost everything, and now his friends were being mean to him. His situation was dire and even he could not hear the desires and intents of God. He wished his friends would help him, but they could not show any form of kindness and compassion towards him, but only accusations about sin in his life. For this reason, he said, 1“my breath is corrupt, my days are extinct, the graves are ready for me. Are there not mockers with me? and doth not mine eye continue in their provocation? Lay down now, put me in a surety with thee; who is he that will strike hands with me? For thou hast hid their heart from understanding: therefore shalt thou not exalt them. He that speaketh flattery to his friends, even the eyes of his children shall fail. He hath made me also a byword of the people; and aforetime I was as a tabret. Mine eye also is dim by reason of sorrow, and all my members are as a shadow. Upright men shall be astonied at this, and the innocent shall stir up himself against the hypocrite.” (Job 17:1-8) He was in a state of deep depression, where he could not see anything good in people or this world anymore. Everything seemed so dark and gloomy. How many of you have also felt this way at a time in your life? Who brought you help?
Job then said, 1“the righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger. But as for you all, do ye return, and come now: for I cannot find one wise man among you. My days are past, my purposes are broken off, even the thoughts of my heart. They change the night into day: the light is short because of darkness. If I wait, the grave is mine house: I have made my bed in the darkness. I have said to corruption, Thou art my father: to the worm, Thou art my mother, and my sister. And where is now my hope? as for my hope, who shall see it? They shall go down to the bars of the pit, when our rest together is in the dust.” (Job 17:9-16) He knew that those who were really God’s chosen had clean hands and shall walk in His strength also. However, his friends showed none of these characteristics, and because of what they said to him, he was even beginning to lose hope himself. Not in God, but in his ability to live this life any longer in peace. One thing we can learn from this chapter is to be kind towards others in need. Show them comfort and peace. Don’t even go to them if there is any reason for you to want to argue or contend with them, while having any animosity in your heart. These feelings need to be removed and God’s love enter into our lives instead. So pray to God that anger will be removed from your heart if it is ever in you. Then can people be loved and be comforted, where even hope is restored.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that people who are lost and have lost hope will rediscover You in a new way. That they will also find good Christians who will fellowship with them. Lord, many people are suffering and have already lost hope in this darkened world and we need good people to step up to show them comfort. It is hard enough to see people struggling in life and to also see them died this way. So God, help us to gain a heart of compassion, kindness, love, mercy, and forgiveness. I know that only You can deliver these God-like attributes into our lives. I can try to do all I can on my own, but I will always slip up and say and do the wrong things, which I always regret. Therefore, Lord, lead me and others in the faith by the hand. Help us do and speak with the Holy Spirit leading us. I know that more people will be blessed and also experience Your love through us if we would just trust in You and go forward in faith. It is when we are complacent and happy with our own lives that we tend to forget that other people are in need of our help. Therefore, I pray that You will put people in our minds who need to be called on the phone and visited. That we may talk with them in love, help them, and also pray for them. May we also seek the needs of our church, to know who they recommend we should help. All these things are well and all, but I pray that people will desire to do what You ask of them. Even in these dark times that we live in, there is still a glimmer of hope that we can showcase in these people’s lives. We can light up their room and scatter the darkness because You are with us. Thank You, Jesus. I believe in You. I trust in You. You are my rock and I love You. Amen.
Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.
