Thursday, August 25, 2016

THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2016

"I know that my Redeemer lives

   and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.

And after my skin has been destroyed,

   yet in my flesh I will see God.

I myself will see him

   with my own eyes -- I, and not another.

How my heart yearns within me!" (Job 19:25-27)

Even amid his despair, Job still holds to his faith in his Redeemer, understanding that his only hope lies in God.  This triumphant declaration may carry us, almost 4,000 years later, in our trials and challenges.

Earlier in the reading, Job refers to his Redeemer as his "witness," "advocate," "intercessor," and "friend."  He recognizes that, while his "friends" may have abandoned him, God has not.  He looks to the Lord as a "strong tower." (Psalm 46:1)

Job feels justified frustration in hearing his friends' desire to pin blame on Job for his fate, due to some supposed unrighteousness.  Their outlook has a backward focus and loses sight of the present.

With hindsight, we have read about God's heart regarding Job's situation.  Yet, not considering the outcome for a moment, what might we learn from Job and his friends that we could apply in our own friendships?  As I reflected on this question, two ideas came to mind:  (1) loving listening and (2) focus on the present, the future, and God's unchanging character.

When we speak with a loved one about a difficult situation, we may often turn to our problem-solving skills, suggesting remedies even before we have heard the whole story.  Observers have noted that men tend to take this tack more readily than women.  Nonetheless, we often become armchair quarterbacks when folks most often are looking for a sounding board first.  Responsive listening, where you repeat the key elements of what your loved one has just said, helps to solidify our connection and focus our listening during these moments.  As Josh McDowell sagely explained, "people need to know how much you care before they care how much you know."  We may love most effectively by listening in tough spots.

Secondly, we will do well to focus on the present, the future, and God's unchanging character during challenging times.  Job's friends rehashed the past over and over.  Their faulty reasoning and conclusions must just have inflicted more insult on the injured Job.  Instead, taking a forward-looking orientation helps us to see progress out of anguish.  If you do bring up the past, you may help your loved one to recall God's faithfulness during similar moments in recent weeks, months, or years.  Bringing forward Scriptures that discuss God's great love and compassion (Matthew 9:36-10:2; Psalm 103:7-18; Psalm 34:18) may be helpful.  Inviting your friend to trust God through these moments -- and committing to that -- may represent our greatest love.

Whether we find ourselves in Job's position or that of his friends today, we all may rest in the security of our hope in Christ.  We know that our Redeemer lives; He has risen from the grave!  May the Resurrection carry us forward in trusting and honoring our great God and King!

Lord Jesus, thank You for giving us security of hope through Your Resurrection.  We seek to honor You today, as Job did.  Give us wisdom when we face challenging situations or seek to encourage others in that position.  Strengthen our faith in and vision of Your awesome faithfulness and compassion.  We love You and worship You today.  In Your Name, amen.

"Because He Lives" (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4M-zwE33zHA)