SOMETHING THAT REALLY MATTERS

READING: JOB 2:11-13

Verse 13: “So they sat down with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw his grief was very great.”

When we encounter someone who is suffering adversity, we want to bring comfort and peace to the sufferer. However, there may be uncertainly regarding how to go about it. The verse above  demonstrates a major principle for such situations. When the friends of Job learned of his adversity, they simply went to him and were present with him. It is extraordinary that they sat with him for so long without even speaking. That is especially true when compared to our culture which is so much about rush, hurry and often impatience. However, their example is an effective one that we would do well to adopt. Often it doesn’t take great or powerful words in order to be of great help. Just being there to reach out with care and patience can bring great comfort to a person in need. 2 Corinthians 1 tells us why this simple measure is so helpful. Our comforting presence is effective when the Lord is the source of our comfort. We are then able to comfort others with the comfort He has used to comfort us. Every good and perfect is from Him (James 1:17). That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. What is your most notable experience with the type of comfort discussed above?

2. What needs to change regarding your initial reaction to another person’s grief?