January 7, 2022 - Job 6-9

We were in Chicago for the past two days to conduct a funeral for a friend and neighbor of over twenty years. It is not easy to bring comfort when grief and sorrow is so present.

Job exclaims his anguish and rawness of heart in the beginning of chapter 6. His statements and questions are exclamations of a hurting heart and one that is trying to understand what is incomprehensible. Job looks to his friends for answers and comfort. How can we encourage others who are deeply distressed and ask difficult questions that seemingly have no answer?

Job desired to hear from his friends because his cries to God were not answered. While a friend's intentions may be good and the desire to encourage or correct may exist, they are human and can give faulty answers! James 1:19 says, "... let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak...". At times, the best friend is a good listener, not a counselor.

In Chapter 8, observe how Job's friend answers Job's deep questions and consider how we might answer Job's grief and sorrow. Job's understanding of the ways of God were both correct and incorrect. As we read these chapters, may we consider how God's power and wisdom are different than Job's understanding of God.

As we break for the weekend, take this time to review the chapters you have read. God's creative works, man's fall, the flood, and Job's questions give us much to consider and examine before continuing with Job 10 on Monday!