May 25, 2025

If you are having a hard time in this life, consider Job's fight when dealing with his affliction. Not only was his body disheveled and painful, but he still had a mind that seemed to function flawlessly and could account for everything he once was. He was sharp and could defend himself eloquently against these people who seemed to be there only to pour salt on his wounds. They should have comforted him with their words if they were genuinely his friends. It shows that most people are fair-weather friends and want nothing to do with your tragedy. I experienced the same thing when my first husband passed away. We had church friends that nearly all disappeared when he died. It was the loneliest I had ever felt in my life. However, I'm glad they were gone rather than have to contend with friends like Job had. I believe Job's affliction describes the pain Jesus went through leading up to and during his crucifixion. As we conclude the book of Job, we will find that he had a friend, Elihu, who came to his defense, comforted him in his time of need, and stuck around until the end. Jesus had a friend like that in John, and I had one in Kay. Your testing may be complex, but God sees your needs and will send someone in the flesh when the time is right. 

I love how he responds to them in these verses:

But now they that are younger than I have me in derision, whose fathers I would have disdained to have set with the dogs of my flock. Yea, whereto might the strength of their hands profit me, in whom old age was perished? Job 30:1-2