God's Man, Job

 

Have you read the book of Job recently? Talk about encouragement from his friends! Actually, we might have assumed the same as they did...God was punishing Job for some sin...Surely God was!!  But they did not know about the conversation God had previously with Satan when He told Satan there was no one else like Job “in all the earth...a perfect and upright man (1:8).” So was this really chastisement for sin?

 These “miserable comforters,” as Job called them (16:1), did have some wise statements that we need to consider. Eliphaz described Job with words that we can all hope are spoken about us:

 Job 4:3-4... “You have instructed many, you have strengthened the weak hands. Your words have upheld him that was falling, and you have strengthened the feeble knees.”

 “You have instructed many.”   I don’t think that was “preaching” at people. But Job had taught others the way to live. God called him a perfect and upright man. His friends and family learned from Job’s character not just his words.  What example are we showing to our children, our families, our friends when we are tired, aggravated, stressed, or joyful? Are they being instructed to live for the Lord by watching us?

 “You have strengthened weak hands.” This may not be a literal weakness of the hands. To me it implies someone who is weary of doing well...or weary of just doing. Perhaps there is someone who takes on many responsibilities at church or in your office or neighborhood and your help would “strengthen weak hands.” Maybe even just a one-time gesture at the grocery or some other public place. Not glaring at the mother of a howling child who ought to be taking a nap at home. J Perhaps your spouse or child is in need of that extra attention....even when that family member has stretched you to your limits!

 “Your words have upheld him that was falling.” Wow! Isn’t that wonderful to hear? Have you, TODAY, said some kind, helpful, encouraging word to someone who had just about given up?

 When Brant was European Director at BIMI, he so often used these words when we visited our missionaries in their homes overseas and could see they were discouraged: “We are on your side.” Often even visible relief came with those simple words!  Ask the Lord to help you to always enter a room “with your head up” and looking for someone who needs encouragement or someone who would be encouraged by your LISTENING EAR...not just your words.

 “You have strengthened the feeble knees.”  I think weak knees are even worse than weak hands. Weak knees make a person very unsure. Spiritually, weak knees could keep a person from making the right decision for the Lord. Or perhaps feeble knees indicate hesitancy to serve. Come along side that person just as you would if you saw someone stumbling from physical weakness.

 We can’t always see “weak hands” or “feeble knees,” can we? But the Holy Spirit can direct us to those who need us to encourage them. We might have to stop and slow our spiritual rush of busyness to accomplish this. This has to be intentional.

 Amazing! God is still using the story of “righteous Job” for us thousands of years later as an example of how to handle difficulty and “miserable comforters.”  Job declared: (19:25) “FOR I KNOW THAT MY REDEEMER LIVETH...” If you have not read this fantastic book of the Bible that is filled with wisdom, pathos, God’s power, and even humor, do it.

--Maylou Holladay