As I read in Job, chapter 18, I see a very self-righteous man, named Bildad. Just because he was not suffering and Job was, he thought God’s wrath was upon him. He could not see anything else in his mind but that Job must have sinned against God, and therefore he is now paying for what he has done. This is far from the truth, but what he felt was truth, which is sad. You will see this in the way he came at Job, not out of love, but only accusations and self-righteous talk. Here is just a glimpse of what he said, 1“how long will it be ere ye make an end of words? mark, and afterwards we will speak. Wherefore are we counted as beasts, and reputed vile in your sight? He teareth himself in his anger: shall the earth be forsaken for thee? and shall the rock be removed out of his place? Yea, the light of the wicked shall be put out, and the spark of his fire shall not shine. The light shall be dark in his tabernacle, and his candle shall be put out with him.” (Job 18:2-6) All he could do was wait until Job got done speaking so that he could give him a correction. He didn’t care what Job was saying, but thought in his heart that Job was wicked and that God must be causing this harm upon him because of his sins. And then he said something crushing, which is very hurtful. He said that God is putting out his light, or his willpower to live and nothing can stop it. Therefore, he and his friends had no desire to lift him up, but only put him down in his sorrows.
In contrast look at a person who saw Job’s trials and decided to help him instead of putting him down. Wouldn’t this have been wonderful to see someone lift his spirits, instead of making him feel worse. My friends, there are many people like Job nowadays, especially because of the Coronavirus. And just like in his time, there are self-righteous people that think that they are above others and that they must be getting what they deserve from God, because of their sin. However, thankfully there are more people that I know of that are willing to jump to help someone and bring peace into their lives. As Christians, we would never desire to cause people to feel more burdened than before having us over. This would be terrible. Instead, we are to conform our ways to be like God’s. We do this by allowing our talk to be filled with love, kindness, and respect towards one another. This we do to bring God’s joy, comfort, and peace into people’s lives. The opposite is not God’s will. But our own selfish ambition. You know, pride is what makes people be judgmental and see the worst in people. But when this pride comes crashing down, all we want to do is show people love and lift people up in their sorrows. To speak peace and show them their potential in God’s great plan for us all. I wish this happened for Job, but it is not too late for us to shine a light for people now that are suffering. More people are in need of our help then we would ever know.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that more people will become a shining light unto those who are suffering. That, as believers, we will become a beacon of hope unto those who are going through some rough time. It could be because of a marriage on the rocks, a job loss, financial issues, a death in the family, and personal reasons like sin and addiction. No matter what the cause is for people’s misfortune, we lift these souls up to You, God. We ask that You will deliver to them the comfort and peace that they need to go on in life. We don’t wish any of them to fall deeper in depression and guilt but be set free by Your mighty hand, oh Lord. You are mightier than what is afflicting people now, and I pray that You will become their firm foundation. May they never lose hope in You, who saves. And I know that this can only happen if people continue to look to You in faith, no matter what has happened in their lives. So I pray that You will lift people up and take all their cares and worries, and rest them upon Your shoulders. Give us the opportunity to do things for them, including pray with them. I just pray that more people would be open to prayer, for it is a blessing from heaven upon them that believe, even unto those in their house. I believe that You have great things in store for people, even though everything may seem lost at the moment. You have the power to restore them into a new life, where only Your peace, joy, hope, love, kindness, comfort, compassion, forgiveness, and mercy resides. I believe You can do all things, Lord. I also know that we are to be Your shining lights unto all people, especially those who are suffering. I believe In what You can do through us, in order to bless other people’s lives. I love You. Amen.
Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.
