Job's Friends

JOB’S FRIENDS

"Then Job answered the Lord and said: I know that You can do everything, and that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You." Job 42:1-2

 Many times I have talked with people online and off who are struggling and every time I talk to them, it seems like things are no better.  I never know what to say to them...I can pray, but how can I encourage their hearts?  They've heard all the frank advice from others who have their "best interest" in mind.  What could I possibly say to make it all better?  Job's friends were also in that predicament.  They found him in his darkest hour, and wanted to help him find the answers.  WE all have read Job, and we think of this book when we struggle, especially then, for we realize that none of us have gone through such hard times....How many times have I heard it said, I feel like Job.  Job was a righteous man.  He learned a powerful lesson of God's sovereignty.  Oh we all do in these times.  How many times do we need a listening ear, instead get the advice from others like Job received?  We forget that God is in control of every detail of our lives as well as those of our friends.  Only they can hear from God, and only we can hear from Him in our darkest hour.  It's in the quiet time, when we are hurting, that we seek His face, and He makes Himself known to us in the most powerful way, and then as James says....."My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.  But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."  James 1:2-4  

Job’s Friends

Job's friends had a word to give him in his darkest time.
To encourage him, and try to give him peace of mind.
Showed him that he needed to repent, he must have sinned.
Accusation upon accusation they piled upon him.

But Job still stood His ground, and held on to God's hand.
He wouldn't accept just any word that came from the mouth of man.
He had to know what God would have him do, though it was hard to see.
Job's friends continually rebuked him for his arrogance and hypocrisy.

We all have friends who come to us in our heartache and despair.
Those who give their frank advice and truly seem to care.
Sometimes, though, they are only opinions of what they understand.
Only we can hear from God and accept all from His hand.

His discipline is there to help us walk closer to Him.
To understand His sovereignty in the earth, so in His Word we will depend.
It's not always as a punishment, but to force us to choose.
To listen to His voice, and not our friends' polished point of view.

Our friends have our best interest at the heart of their words.
They feel it their duty to share with us what they think we've never heard.
So they give advice and try to help us see.
When all the time, God is in control, and in His own time will set us free.

We all come to those times, when we fail to understand why.
We lay in the mire, and simply want to die.
What did we do...and our friends are so quick to judge us then,
And if we are weak, it's ourselves we start to condemn.

But Job knew nothing in Himself could make Him right with God.
No goods he owned or service he performed in the path he trod.  
He kept seeking the father, and hung on him so very tight,
Until God showed Himself to this man, who never failed to live in the light.

Yes, Job had his comforters, do you have them as well?
Those who have good intentions to advise you where you dwell.
Only God can give the answers and lead you through the mire.
And in time, He will pick you up and give you your heart's desire.

Seek ye first His Kingdom and His righteousness,
Amidst the storm in life every day, simply Let Jesus lift you up.
And He will carry you to a place that's safe and warm.
And deliver you from the turmoil of the present storm.

Yes, Job had comforters, but the one that comforted him the most.
Is the one that comforts us today...He's called the Holy Ghost.
Jesus promised to send Him a very long time ago.
He guides us, teaches us through every heartache and woe.

Job's friends had a word to give him in his heartache and his woe.
To point out his sin, so he would know which way to go.
He chose to wait on God, and trust Him in His plan.
We too can do the same, in our lives while trudging through this land.

God controls our destiny and our lives are in His hands.
Though things don't look easy and we may fail to understand.
Just like Job we too will be led on a clearer path.
To trust in God's sovereignty into His rest at last.

© Copyright 1998 Sandra C. Johnson