And it was [so], that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me [the thing that is] right, as my servant Job [hath].
Job 42:7-10
Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you [after your] folly, in that ye have not spoken of me [the thing which is] right, like my servant Job.
So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite [and] Zophar the Naamathite went, and did according as the LORD commanded them: the LORD also accepted Job.
And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.
Most of us are familiar with the story of Job. This poor man experienced so much loss and hurt in such a short time. He was absolutely under physical and spiritual attack from the devil. Yet in the end, Job never cursed God through it all. He didn’t turn his back on “Christianity”. His belief and trust in God stayed strong, and Job knew God would ultimately deliver him from his suffering. In the end, God blessed Job with more than what he had before it was all taken by Satan. I want to focus on a few key points about the end of this story, one in particular that I need to improve on!
Never forsake assembling with fellow Christians.
Even when we may not be living right, it is important we don’t cut off our friendship/fellowship with fellow Christians. There are blessings to be found amongst God’s people! Job’s friends were discouraging at times through Job’s ordeal. Though they knew God, they weren’t walking with him like they should have been. They were Christians out of the will of God. Yet they still came around Job. They had to know Job was different. They had to see that Job was trusting God fully. Job told them every chance he got that God was good. The friends still stuck around. In the end, God spoke to the friends, and blessed them because of their fellowship and presence with Job. Even if you feel/know you aren’t living right, keep going to Church. Keep seeking forgiveness. Don’t quit on God. Hang out with your Christian friends. Stay around the good influences in your life.
Swallow your pride.
There will be (if there haven’t been already) times in your life when you have to humble yourself, swallow your pride, and ask a friend for prayer or for physical help. It is okay. You are human. This is natural, and in fact, the way God intended it to be. No man is an island. (I think I have heard that somewhere before…) We are not created to be independent of others, with no fellowship and encouragement with believers. In fact, we are commanded to exhort one another DAILY. (But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. Hebrews 3:13) Who have you encouraged today? Who has challenged your heart spiritually today? It is OKAY to admit you need fellowship, encouragement, and prayer! We all do!
Look beyond yourself.
Even in his own distresses and misery, Job prayed that God would help/bless his friends. We could probably all be a little less focused on self. God commands us to love others as he loves them. The first step in doing this, is less of self. Christ put his desires and his will away when he died for our sins. He was focused more on the will of God, then his desires. He was all about fulfilling the work of God. God ALWAYS blesses those who live godly. “For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as [with] a shield.” Psalm 5:12
We all have “stuff going on”. Life is crazy for everyone right now. What could we accomplish if we simply prayed for 5 extra minutes a day? And not just 5 extra minutes of prayer for ourselves, but praying for our friends? Perhaps that would be the thing God is waiting for in order to answer our prayers, and turn our captivity. Have you prayed for your friends today? For your nation? We are commanded to pray for our president also. 😯 God help us in this area of our lives!