Have we ever heard of someone’s trials and thought, “Wow, I wonder what they did to get that kind of judgment from God?!” This was the poor and critical attitude of Job’s three friends.
As I said yesterday, these three “friends” assumed that Job must have sinned, and sinned greatly, for God to allow the heartache and pain Job was experiencing. But that was NOT the case at all. God Himself calls Job righteous and blameless. These unwavering assumptions, from friends who were supposed to be there to comfort Job, made God very angry. Instead of showing Job, their friend, the benefit of the doubt, they doubted his innocence instead! I wonder if this is where that phrase comes from: “with friends like you, who needs enemies?!”
Whenever we hear of another going through difficult times, please (and I am especially talking to myself here) let us NOT assume they deserve it. God has many good reasons for everything He allows, and as we clearly see with Job, not every reason involves the guilt of the person going through the trials.
Lesson 1: in the presence of great heartbreak, keep silent & just be present with your friend
Lesson 2: do NOT make assumptions about the way God works
Lesson 3: do NOT make assumptions about the cause of someone else’s trial
<>< Peace, Diane
