Job 2:13
“Then they sat down on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights, with no one speaking a word to him, for they saw that his pain was very great.”
Job’s friends began as good friends. They went to be with him and kept quiet. Job lost everything initially. This second round, he lost his health. He only had his wife and she became a negative. He only had God. I don’t believe he has commented on God yet. That is outside of what he said to his wife, “Should we not accept the good with the bad, in what God gives us?”
A good friend does what they did. They came, showed great sympathy with the wailing and tearing their clothes. Their sitting with him for a week in silence was amazing. They also saw his pain. They saw him.
Lord, may we be good friends to those around us. Help us to see their pain. The pain of some is on the inside and might not be easily seen. Lord, help us to have the insight to see their pain.
They identified with them by tearing their clothes. I don’t think we have an equivalent action today. Lord, help us to identify with our hurting friends.
They sat with him. We can do this. Just being there is huge. I’ve visited friends in the hospital as well as in their homes. Job’s problems were at such a higher level. He couldn’t work or do anything. His pain was that great.
The next action they took was to be in silence. This is great. Job is probably too weary to talk. They sat with him in silence. I’m blessed to say that I have friends that would do this.
Proverbs 18:24 says, “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.” This refers to the blessing of having a good friend. Jesus is that friends to us. John 15:13,14 says, “Greater love has no one than this, that a person will lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I command you.” That is amazing. We are friends of Jesus. He’s with us all the times. He intercedes for us before the Father. He is with us. “Son of God, what a wonder You are. You cleansed my soul from sin, set the Holy Ghost within. Son of God what a wonder You are.” Help us to be aware of You as our Friend.
Thank You, Lord, for good friends. Thank You, for being a Friend.