Prayer Journal
Wednesday, October 22, 2003
"After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before." Job 42:10
The story of Job has intrigued people from the time it was written. Many say the theme of the book is, "Why do bad things happen to good people?" Today I want to look at Job at the end of his ordeal and point out a few things that might help us gain proper perspective when we're in a spiritual or emotional pit.
Job didn't do anything wrong. He was blessed by God and enjoyed life with his large family. He had good health, money, possessions and friends, the very same things that make us feel secure today. But Job was an object lesson waiting to happen. God used Him and his circumstances to illustrate the way a man of God should deal with trouble when it comes his way.
His friends cared about him, or at least it seemed that way to Job. Much of the monologue in the book is his friends trying to "help" Job gain the proper perspective on his dilemma. But, in the end God criticized them for speaking out of turn and in error. (Vs, 42:7)
Perhaps you're precariously clinging to emotional sanity while your friends try to "help" you as did Job's friends. You want to climb out of your pit of depression, but you're getting so much questionable advice you're not sure what to do. God's voice of reason seems faint because of all the noise around you and you feel like you're about to suffocate in all the confusion. What to do?
Most people think that putting an opinionated people in his or her place is the right thing to do, but God taught Job the right response. He was to pray for those around him, even though these well-intentioned friends were causing him to question his faith. God expected him to forgive his misdirected friends and pray for them.
Scripture says a most curious thing happens after someone prays for someone else. God hears their prayer and restores that person to a place where they're blessed more than ever before. But, don't make the mistake of thinking words change anything. It was Job's attitude and submissive spirit that made the difference, not his words.
How's your attitude toward those who are causing you harm? Can you hear God above the glammor of the noise they make? Here's good news: find the grace of God for your situation by lovingly praying for others who honestly don't deserve your friendship. Then watch God bless you in a way you can't even imagine.
Just Thinkin'... WebServant
Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society
Copyright © 1998-2003
James R. Green and Prayertower Ministries
All Rights Reserved
I'll pray today for...
* My spouse
* My children
* Their friends
* My friends
* My employer
* My city
* My country
* Civic leaders
* Schools
* Teachers
* The sick
* The lost
* Those in despair
* The hospitalized
* The grieving
* Widows
* Orphans
* My church
* My pastor
* Church leaders
* Other churches
* Persecuted church
* Missionaries
* Myself
