Job chapter 16 reminds me of all the times I was at a loss for how to help someone in pain. I have heard myself say something like, “please call me if you need anything”. Job expresses the feelings of the one in need. His friends brought accusations rather than aid and Job says very directly, “Miserable comforters are you all!“. Job adds a picture that hits too close to home. “I also could speak like you, if you were in my place; I could make fine speeches against you and shake my head at you.” I have to pause to wonder if I have lectured when I should have loved. Job gives advice on how to help, from the perspective of the sufferer. He tells us the three things we can always do to minister to someone that is going through difficulty. “But my mouth would encourage you; comfort from my lips would bring you relief.” Encouragement, comfort and relief are always welcome and can come in many forms. This is where our individual talents can be applied. It might come in the form of words, or a warm meal. It might involve repairing a device, or running an errand. 1 Corinthians 12 describes how individual believes are part of one church, lead by one Spirit. The apostle describes how the church functions like our human body, with individual parts all working together. “For as the body is one and has many members… so also is Christ… For in fact the body is not one member but many… Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually“. Are you part of the body of believers?
Next Job describes his relationship with God at the moment. Imperfect humans are not always in sync with our perfect God. We have times when we do not understand God’s plan. We have times when we are beyond our own resources and don’t even know how to articulate our feelings. Job says, “Surely, O God, you have worn me out; you have devastated my entire household“. Job describes how sickness robs us of our vitality, “my gauntness rises up and testifies against me“. I think many people feel this way while in the midst of trials:”Men open their mouths to jeer at me; they strike my cheek in scorn“. Perhaps this explains why we are often reluctant to ask for help. Job believes he is under a spiritual assault, but does not know the reason. “He has made me his target…Without pity, he pierces… Again and again he bursts upon me; he rushes at me like a warrior.” I believe Job knows the heart of God and just can’t reconcile this with his experience. Romans 8:26 describes this inability to even know how to pray. Many times I am left with no words to express my desire, but I believe God hears our heart. “For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for uswith groanings which cannot be uttered.“
Finally Job describes himself in a way familiar to those who have felt real grief, “My face is red with weeping, deep shadows ring my eyes“. And in spite of all that Job has experienced, we see the character of the man, “yet my hands have been free of violence and my prayer is pure“. The chapter ends with an incredible picture of faith. “Even now my witness is in heaven; my advocate is on high. My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God; on behalf of a man he pleads with God as a man pleads for his friend.” This seems like an amazing reference to Jesus sitting at the right hand of the Father. Romans 8:34 explains my source of hope. Unlike Job, I recognize my motives are not always so pure. I praise God that He allowed for an Advocate to stand before God in my place. “It is Christ Jesus, who died more than that, who was raised to life is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us (Romans 8:34)”. May you know the encouragement, comfort and relief of God’s Holy Spirit through the worship of our Savior.