Sorry Comforters - Day 298 Month 10-24 Week 41-4
2 Chronicles 16, 17, Job 16, Amos 3 Hebrews 4
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Chronicles%2016%2C%2017%2C%20Job%2016%2C%20Amos%203%20Hebrews%204&version=NASB1995
Words can build up or tear down.
When my father passed away in 1994, we had some unfinished business. I thought he saw me as a little bit less. I can’t even tell you what I was a little less than but it was a feeling. I felt he only cared about my older brother and sister because they went to “Bible College.” After his death, I spent some time with my mother. One day she said to me: “You know, your father was so proud of you.” I was speechless! I said “what?” She went on to explain that even though my brother and sister had gone to Bible college to be in full time Christian service, I had made a career of being in Christian service.
That is now all water under the bridge, and in my heart I have forgiven my father, but I regret that we never had the opportunity to clear up our misunderstanding while he was alive. I also think my father had a narrower understanding of Christian service than I do now. Every Jesus follower is in Christian service, and our entire lives should be representative of our lives as Jesus followers.
In Job 16:1-5, Job explains that his friends are “sorry comforters.” They have spoken words of judgment, assuming they understand why Job is suffering. I love the way Job says it: “I could compose words against you and shake my head at you.” But instead, he says, “I could strengthen you with my mouth, and the solace of my lips could lessen your pain.”
Job is pointing out that he could respond to his friends in the same way they have treated him, but he would rather use his words to strengthen and comfort them if their situations were reversed. His words remind me that what we say can either add to someone's suffering or help lessen their pain.
Just as Job said he could “strengthen you with my mouth,” my father’s words, if said during his life would have strengthened me. I am sad that my father and I were unable to understand each other when we were alive but in response, I can do my best to build others up. Sometimes I fail and likely more often with my wife. I’m a work in progress but I’m striving towards it.
It’s all part of loving your neighbour as yourself.
Have a great day!
Steve
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