In his days
of prosperity and wellness Job had succoured others. He assisted the troubled, visited
the sick, and supported individuals who were weakened by sin, and whose
strength of life and resources had failed. Job had lived righteously before God
and man, and his reputation was that of a man of value and worth. He had willingly
fulfilled his responsibility of care of those in need, consistently supplying
comfort, advice, assistance and protection. We now find Job himself on the side
of the needy. Those who are criticising him, his so called ‘comforters’, are
fully aware of his good deeds towards others, and they raise them to his
attention, however they do so not to praise him, or in commendation, but in
accusation. Their message is essentially “You were giving out all the good
advice and help when it was someone else’s trouble, but what about now you are
in their shoes?” instead of returning the kindness, which they acknowledged Job
had given to others, and imitating his conduct by giving him genuine comfort,
they prided and gloated in his difficulty, and added to his burden by their
comments and explanations. It is strange how often this can actually happen
among believers even today. There is an almost wicked sense of triumph with
some individuals, when trouble or difficulty befalls a brother or sister. This
is the opposite of what should take place. We are supposed to ‘mourn with those
who mourn’, not rejoice in their calamity! There should be a genuine sense of
empathy for those who suffer, and a desire to uphold them in prayer! This
should be in the heart of fellow believers, but alas all too often, there is
either indifference or worse even rejoicing at someone else’s trouble. This is
a sure sign of a serious and sad lack of God’s love. Among the many lessons
that can be learned from Job’s experiences, we could include the fact that
clearly afflictions, trials, and setbacks, can be found and observed in the
lives of good and righteous men, every bit as much as in the lives of those who
are in rebellion against God. The just are not preserved from all difficulties,
but they are promised deliverance and strength to make it through. It is
however a serious mistake to simply assume that just because a person is facing
trial or opposition, they must be in sin or have erred before God. Another
important fact to remember is that we must teach the principles of God, in
their entirety even if there is the possibility that we may personally have to
face some aspect or another of those things, and be measured by the values we
have proclaimed and affirmed. In other words we should not fear or hold back on
truth, but wholeheartedly teach it and affirm it, not because we have already
mastered it or have personally succeeded in it, but for its own value and
benefit. Paul taught not that if he had already achieved, but that as one yet
striving towards the mark. Lastly, we must accept that all believers when faced
with affliction may react less than perfectly in the circumstances, in one
aspect or another. Rather than behave as Job’s discomforting ‘comforters’, we
should find in our heart the love, kindness and tenderness to support, lift and
encourage to the best of our abilities such a one, through their time of
trouble, and not add to their load by our unthoughtful comments or behaviour.
Such magnanimous hearts will be a blessing to others, and be in turn blessed
and commended of God.
http://www.pentecostalfamilychurch.com.au/devotion
