Job's search for comfort

Day 2 - Job

His friends came to "sympathize with him and comfort him"(Job 2:11) and "no one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was" (Job 2:13). Sometimes, just simply being silently there is enough to bring a friend ease and love during times of pain and suffering.

"Then I would still have this consolation -- my joy in unrelenting pain -- that I had not denied the words of the Holy One" (Job 6:10). Here is Job proclaiming that there is joy in suffering, because it is worth to uphold God's name and glory. 

"I have heard many things like these; miserable comforters are you all!" (Job 16:2) I need to be cautious and wise in my words when comforting others. Probably the best thing that I can do for someone is to pray for them. 

"Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes" (Job 42:6) I looked up the commentary for this verse, and the word "repent" comes from the same root as the word 'comfort' used by Job's friends. And so, Job's search for comfort was fulfilled in God alone. 

Prayer point: People are suffering all over the world. People are dying from illness, from starvation, from natural disasters; from war; from depression; from violence... it's overbearing to empathize. It's easier to not care, to pretend that all is fine. Lord, may I first grow a compassion for the lost and hurt for the people around me and those who I do not know around the world. Father, I pray that you help me to see the needs of others that I can be used as by You to bring your peace and comfort, and not empty comfort. Secondly, I pray that You bring Your comfort over Your people. May your light shine amidst the darkness and hopelessness. Lastly, I pray that I would have the trust and faith of Job. I'm sorry for having the heart of entitlement, thinking that I deserve better when I don't deserve anything. Everything I am is because of Your grace. So if I lose everything and when nothing makes sense in my life, may I still praise You for the salvation that You have given me. 

"Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised" (Job 1:21)

"I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth" (Job 19:25)