A Word from Job 2

When you look around at the world, do you see any evidence of brokenness that grieves your spirit, that frustrates you or makes you mad, and that makes you want to speak out? Maybe your heart hurts over the losses that recent victims of fires, earthquakes, and storms have suffered. Or maybe you're fed up politicians who make bold statements but don't often do much to make things better. Or maybe you know families that have been wounded by sickness or death, and you  want to tell them that it's all going to be okay.

Well obviously, there are lots of situations that cry out for a response. And there are times that we need to speak. But especially in a world like ours, where social media makes it so easy to vent our frustrations without doing much to make things better, there's a lesson for us in today's word from Job Chapter 2.

You know the story. Job was a righteous man who suffered terrible loss as a result of a "test" devised by the Lord and the Accuser. And even his wife felt like she was in a position to advise him in his pain; and so, she told him, "Why try to hold onto your integrity? Curse and God and die!" (2:8)

But some friends, who had heard about Job's suffering, came to see him. And when they saw how deep his pain was, the Bible says, "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." (2:13)

You see, sometimes, our faithful presence in brokenness means a whole lot more than our opinions and prognostications.

So, can you think of anybody who simply needs you to be present with them today or in the days ahead?

May love move us to be with others, just like God's love moved Him to be with us. Amen.