When three of Job's friends heard of the tragedy he had suffered, they got together and traveled from their homes to comfort and console him. Their names were Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. When they saw Job from a distance, they scarcely recognized him. Wailing loudly, they tore their robes and threw dust into the air over their heads to show their grief. Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and nights. No one said a word to Job, for they saw that his suffering was too great for words. Job 2:11-13 (Underlined for emphasis.)
Meditate.
Consider the devotion of Job’s friends.
Job
had some good friends…or so it seems. They sat with him, saying nothing, for
seven days and nights. His friends’ very presence was comforting to Job as he endured
the pain, discomfort, and tribulation of the boils that Satan had inflicted on
him. But, as things got worse for him, his friends became more judgmental.
At least they came to comfort and console him in the beginning of his trials. Note
that they sat in silence with him. That is a good way to comfort someone who is
mourning. No words have to be spoken. For someone who has come to offer comfort
and support, it is better not to say anything that may sound judgmental about
the situation. For Job, his suffering was too great for words.
Have
you ever felt that your suffering was too great for words? When my
sister and her family were killed in a domestic violence event over thirty
years ago, there were moments when I just didn’t want to talk…or listen to
anyone else. My sister’s friends rallied around our family, but the presence of
family and our own friends was the greatest comfort. God provided the promise
that meant the most then…and has continued to be a blessed assurance.
 |
| As the butterfly fights its way out of the cocoon, it becomes strong. Don't be afraid--be strong. Jesus will not abandon you. |
So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you." Deuteronomy 31:6
A great
promise of comfort and assurance. God provided that guarantee to the people of
Israel at the end of their exodus and forty years in the desert as they were
about to cross the Jordan River into the Promised Land. We can claim that same
promise—additionally vowed by Jesus, that He would always be with us, just
before He ascended into Heaven.
Teach these new disciples to obey
all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always,
even to the end of the age." Matthew
28:20
Jesus
paid a great sacrifice for us—and still He is promising to be here for us…always.
Are we as dedicated to Him? Personally, I have promised the Lord that I will
never leave Him or forsake Him. I guess as Christians knowing that Jesus, as
the Holy Spirit, is in us, we can promise to comfort and support other
Christians in their time of need, like Job’s friends who came to comfort and
console him. Can we do that?
Prayer
– Lord Jesus, help me to be compassionate like You, and be there for friends
and Christian brothers and sisters in their hour of need. Thank you that You’ve
promised to be with us always—even to the end of the age. We can trust You to
keep Your promises.
Verse
of Salvation ~ Help us, O God of our salvation! Help us for the glory of your
name. Save us and forgive our sins for the honor of your name. Psalm 79:9
© 2025 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All
rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless
otherwise noted.
New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale
House Foundation.
Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream,
Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.
Books by Mickey M.
Hunacek
Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com
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