“Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was.”
Job 2:13
Job was a righteous man, as even the Lord said (2:3). But devastation and loss swept through Job’s life. His seven children, his wealth in land and servants, and his health were all gone. When his friends showed up to silently grieve with him, their ministry of presence—just being there—was what he needed.
They thought of how Job previously had spoken encouraging words to many in hard times. Wanting to be that kind of support, they began talking and assuming and trying to make sense of it all. However, the more they reasoned out Job’s suffering, the farther they strayed from Job’s original words of faith: “The LORD gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised” (1:21).
Years ago a state trooper and I were called to a tragic boating accident where a young boy died. We grieved with the family. We rode silently for hours on patrol. In some of our most agonizing times, the silent presence of a friend is a comfort. It’s also a glimpse of Christ’s quiet, abiding presence with us in our suffering.
They thought of how Job previously had spoken encouraging words to many in hard times. Wanting to be that kind of support, they began talking and assuming and trying to make sense of it all. However, the more they reasoned out Job’s suffering, the farther they strayed from Job’s original words of faith: “The LORD gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised” (1:21).
Years ago a state trooper and I were called to a tragic boating accident where a young boy died. We grieved with the family. We rode silently for hours on patrol. In some of our most agonizing times, the silent presence of a friend is a comfort. It’s also a glimpse of Christ’s quiet, abiding presence with us in our suffering.
Scripture Focus
Job 4:1-6
Insight
Often without an abundance of words, our faithful presence with a hurting friend testifies of being still and knowing that the Lord is God (see Psalm 46:10).
Bible In A Year
- Jeremiah 47-48
- Psalm 125
- 2 Corinthians 4-5
